Wednesday 3 April 2013

Live View Low Down

Something worth passing on after yesterday's firmware update:

"With live view photography in [M] (Manual) exposure mode, exposure preview was always on. This issue has been resolved."

To toggle exposure preview on and off, press OK. The last choice is remembered. This function applies only to live view in stills mode. This is a significant fix for studio photographers or anyone using live view in low ambient light.

I'm unable to determine what Nikon means by "Images are sharper and appear more three dimensional". In-camera jpegs look unchanged to me and a change to raw files would require an update to Capture NX2.

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Genuine Parts

Barely 24 hours after yesterday's spoof D4 firmware update (available exclusively to readers of this blog) comes the real thing from Nikon. The current firmware version is now A 1.05, B 1.03. The D3 also gets an update, the first time I can recall this happening to a technically outdated, although still hugely popular, model.

Ironically, one of the claims Nikon makes for the new D4 update is that images will "appear more three dimensional". I had considered adding 3D to my own "firmware update". As with many technology based April Fool's, what seems unlikely today will probably happen tomorrow.

Monday 1 April 2013

D4 Firmware Version 1.4.13

Released today, Nikon's newest firmware update for the D4 brings a host of new features to the camera:
  • 4K Raw video together with the ability to use the optical viewfinder during movie recording. Files will be stored in the new NEVr format. Note: Capture NX2 has yet to be updated to support the new format
  • Lo -2 (25 ISO equiv)
  • A full suite of 'Kodak' Picture Controls based around a Kodachrome film emulator - these will operate in conjunction with the new Lo-2 ISO setting
  •  'XQD Mode 2' for the XQD card slot is now unlocked which will enable Mp3 files stored on the card to be played back through the camera's speaker or headphones. Initially, only music purchased via Sony will be supported

Note: Owners of D4 bodies purchased outside the UK may need to upgrade to firmware version 4.1.13 first.