8 replies to this topic

[Headstill]

Hey, I'm a new owner of a lightly used (4000 pic count) D5200.

 

Has anyone done any new version firmware installs, specifically with D5200 or DX bodies?

 

Did it noticeably help? 

 

Was it difficult to do?

 

Are there any considerable risks involved in doing this type of upgrade?

 

Does the firmware allow original backups in case things go wrong?

 

What is your opinion on doing this (good idea or bad idea)?

 

Thanks for any knowledge you can share.

 

[ScottinPollock]

Hey, I'm a new owner of a lightly used (4000 pic count) D5200.

 

Has anyone done any new version firmware installs, specifically with D5200 or DX bodies?

 

Did it noticeably help? 

 

Was it difficult to do?

 

Are there any considerable risks involved in doing this type of upgrade?

 

Does the firmware allow original backups in case things go wrong?

 

What is your opinion on doing this (good idea or bad idea)?

 

Thanks for any knowledge you can share.

 

There is always risk with a firmware update. The big one is a faulty cable or loss of power during the process.

 

The process is pretty simple however; just be patient.

 

With Nikon, I know of no way back... so if the new release creates new problems, I am afraid you're stuck with them.

 

For me... if it is not broken, it doesn't need fixing. Check the changelog on the firmware you are thinking of installing to see if it addresses an issue you are having on your camera. If it does, I'd say do it. My 3300 has an annoying bug that I can't wait to see addressed in an update.

 

But if it doesn't, why mess with it?

[TBonz]

I agree with ScottinPollock in this case...I am an IT guy and am pretty careful about keeping things up-to-date in terms of patches, etc. on the systems I am responsible for.  But, I don't look at it the same was with computers as I do cameras.  I know what version of firmware is on each of my bodies (or I knew at one point ) but I have never felt the need for any of the updates that I have seen for those bodies.  They aren't subject to the same potential attacks as computers which are generally sitting somewhere on a network where other devices could be used to attack them.  There also tend to be enough physical devices that upgrades can be tested on non-critical devices prior to using on production systems.  My cameras are effectively production systems that I prefer not to "test" firmware updates on.  I would not hesitate to upgrade firmware if I saw something that was critical to me, but at this point I just haven't seen anything that has compelled me to perform any updates.

[Merco_61]

I agree with ScottinPollock too. When it comes to firmware for embedded systems, read the changelogs carefully and think about if you need the upgrade. If you decide to update, read the instructions carefully and use a fully charged battery.

Nikon have, at least, eliminated the faulty cable as the updates are made from a memory card.

One thing that trips many users the first time they do an update is that the file must be at the root level of the card and not in a directory.

[Daniel]

I regret performing the last firmware up date on my Nikon D800e simply because it seemed to effect the auto focus speed with the Nikon 80-400mm telephoto lens. Much slower and sluggish and out of focus compared to the original state. Not sure if the firmware did this but the auto focus with this lens was never the same after the firmware update.  

[Headstill]

Thanks to all for the input, I believe the updates are mainly distortion correction on certain lenses. I notice very little of this on pre-edit side of things. If I did see something in the pictures that bothered me (barrel distortion or pincushin) I would rather fix it in the editing software. 

 

So basically I prefer my RAW images..well ....raw.

 

If someone has a D5200 and can substantiate the firmware updates for something else, please share.

[Merco_61]

What version do you have in the camera? some of the early updates solved real problems like the camera locking up when adding some choices to "My Menu" and locking up after cleaning the sensor.

[etphoto]

If it isn't broke, don't fix it. 

[Ron]

It doesn't help that Nikon makes updating firmware seem like a walk through a park filled with zombies. Gotchas at every turn.... and, apparently no way to go back short of sending the camera back to Nikon.

 

--Ron