Nikon D4, D800, and D800E firmware update

Hot on the heels of the surprising D700 firmware update Nikon has also released firmware updates for their top tier cameras, the D4, D800, and D800E. The update is supposed to fix a problem where the camera locks up when certain features are all enabled at the same time, a glitch that causes the WT-4 wireless transmitter to send RAW files when set to JPEG and a dark band that appears in the lower part of the image when shooting 5:4 crop mode and using Active D-Lighting. The D4 update also fixes a glitch that causes shooting settings to be changed when certain settings were in use with CSM f15 Playback zoom.

You can download the firmware updates from the following links:

• D800 firmware update
• D800E firmware update
• D4 firmware update

Once it's downloaded follow these instructions to install the firmware for Mac and these for PC.

Nikon D700 firmware update!

The D700, which is pretty old by DSLR standards, has just received a firmware update. Unfortunately it isn't anything cool like, updating the Auto -ISO or adding video capability, but it fixes an issue that causes underexposed images in certain conditions.

Nikon claims this is a rare occurrence, but it must be more common than they are letting on, because it's very uncommon for Nikon to release a firmware update fort a camera this old. Which also leads me to believe that the D700 is going to remain in Nikon's camera lineup for a while longer since they are working on fixing bugs in an older camera.

You can download the firmware package from here: Nikon D700 firmware update.

Once it's downloaded follow these instructions for Mac and these for PC.

Of course if you don't feel that your D700 is affected by this problem the firmware update isn't really necessary. I haven't noticed any issues with my camera, but I'll update it anyway and I'll let you know if there's any potential bugs.

Nikon D800 & D800E Digital Field Guide!

The Nikon D800 & D800E Digital Field Guide is available for pre-order at almost 50% off at Amazon.

Order it now, right here: Nikon D800 & D800E Digital Field Guide

NIkon D600 coming soon?

not an actual D600 image

There have been a lot of rumors floating around the internet about an affordable full-frame Nikon in the works. Supposedly the moniker is to be the D600. Some of the speculations are saying it's replacement for the D700 which has been out there for quite a while.

From the specs that have been showing up all over the internet, this camera has a lot more in common with the D7000 than the D700.

Some of the reputed specs include:

• 24MP sensor
• 39 point AF 
• U1 and U2 user settings
• Dual memory slot SD cards
• 5fps

The rest of the specs are standard among most current Nikon DSLR's these days. 

• 1080p video
• in-camera RAW editor
• intervalomerter / time lapse 
• Fn button
• ADL

The camera will probably be much smaller than the D700. Based on the top specs (39 point AF, User settings, SD cards), I think it will probably be closer in size to the D7000 with the same 1/2 magnesium 1/2 polycarbonate body design . Hopefully it will use the same MB-D11 grip as the D7000 and they don't spring a new double-priced grip on Nikon buyers like they did with the D800 and the MB-D12. 

The BIG stink I've been seeing is that there is to be no direct focus motor, which leaves you with using AF-S lenses only. Personally, I don't find this a problem. I have sold off all of my non-AF-S lenses long ago with the exception of a Sigma 17-35 EX that I use for my Nikon F90X film camera. 

I don't see this camera as being a good direct replacement for the D700 because of less focus points, lesser construction, the probable inclusion of scene modes (due to the User mode selection), and the terrible decision to use flimsy SD cards, and no focus motor, but at a $1500 price point I think Nikon will have a camera that will be even more popular and in demand than he D800 is right now.

This camera could possibly even spell the end of the high-end DX cameras leaving the 1.5X crop sensors to the entry to mid-level camera spots currently filled by the D3200, D5100, and D90. 

With a $1500 FX camera coming out in the DXXX range, I'd be hard pressed to say that the D400 would be an $1800 DX even though a D300s replacement would have to be a full magnesium, CF/SD, 51 AF point camera with the new 91K RGB metering sensor. 

Then again, this is all just speculation, but a nice light-weight affordable FX camera will be an excellent and welcome addition to the Nikon stable and possibly a real winner for Nikon. 

Holga HL-N lens for Nikon

I decided to to snag up one of those Holga lenses made for DSLR cameras the other day. Being only $25 with free shipping I figured what do I have to lose?

I knew that the viewfinder was going to be dark because it's a fixed aperture f/8 lens. I'd read the reviews complaining about that, but most of the reviews were written by people who have no idea how cameras work. You need a wide aperture to see through the viewfinder, this is why Auto-Indexing was invented.

Using Live View help to see a little better, but this lens is made for use in the brightest light you can get. Since you're putting a crappy plastic lens on your camera anyway just crank up the ISO and live with the noise. This is supposed to be lo-fi, right?

When I first took the lens out of the box I noticed something weird about the aperture hole. It had not just a single hole but numerous tiny holes around it.

I thought this was pretty odd, but when I started shooting some test shots I noticed how terrible the vignette was. It didn't look random at all. There was a pattern due to this aperture hole layout. The whole point about a Holga is unpredictability. This was a very obvious pattern. Since I was using it on my full frame D800 I decided to set the crop mode to 5:4, this is closer to a square pattern as a real Holga would be so I though the vignette would look more natural. Not the case. I still got a distinct floral pattern. I shot the ceiling to give a better idea of what it looks like. When shooting normal images it isn't quite as obvious, but you can still pick it out.

Well, I thought to myself, this is terrible. Looks nothing like Holga vignette. I switched to DX mode, but that just almost eliminated all of the vignette, and made the lens too long (90mm equiv). Since the lens was cheap plastic, I decided to do some minor surgery. I got out my drill bits and set out to widen the aperture to get rid of the extraneous holes. Before you get all crazy and break out the DeWalt drill, I didn't use a drill. I simply started with the smallest bit and gently reamed out the aperture hole until the aperture was one single hole as opposed one central hole with 8 smaller holes surrounding. I started with a 1/16" bit and ended with a 9/64" bit. 

This smoothed out aperture resulting in a much more natural appearing vignette, and in my opinion, much better Holga-esque images. 

Nikon D4 and D800 locking up...

Nikon has announced that there's a problem with the D4 and D800 cameras locking up necessitating the removal of the battery to restart the camera.

Nikon says they are working on a permanent fix, but claims that if you turn of the Highlights and RGB histogram in the Playback display options that the issue will cease.

Nikon EN-EL15 battery recall!

Nikon has announced a problem with their EN-EL15 batteries. These batteries are used in the D800, D7000, and V1 cameras.

See here for more details: Nikon EN-EL15 battery recall