Nikon has just announced the first major firmware update for the Z 8, Firmware Ver. 2.0, adding several new features and enhancements for both still and video capture, as well as improved workflow. Here are some of the highlights:
- A dedicated option for birds has been added to the AF subject-detection options, increasing bird-detection performance in a variety of situations.
- Support for the Auto Capture function enables automatic shooting when the subject meets one or more preconfigured criteria, providing users with new options for both stills and video shooting.
- Pixel Shift shooting has also been added, which allows for the creation of super-high-res 180MP photos, ideal for capturing the finest details in subjects with intricate designs.
- Rich Tone Portrait Picture Control has also been added to enable the rendering of rich tones while retaining skin details for portrait photography.
- More functions and operations can now be assigned to custom controls, and users now have access to new shutter volume and sound options.
NX Tether Ver 2.0
Accompanying this Z 8 firmware update is the simultaneous release of Nikon Tether Ver. 2.0, a computer-software application that enhances functionality for tethered shooting with a Nikon digital camera. This adds support for functions that were part of the Camera Control Pro 23 program, including the configuration of a variety of camera settings, live-view display during remote tethered shooting and support for video recording. Here are some of the key features:
- Support provided still image and video recording.
- Full-coverage live-view display that allows photographers and clients to check that the desired results are being achieved on a large monitor, even when they’re away from the computer.
- Camera operation functions that offer control over shooting settings unique to Nikon, such as Picture Control and Active D-Lighting.
- Users can select the format (JPEG, RAW, HEIF) in which images are recorded, and they can also choose to have only the JPEG or HEIF images transferred to the computer.
Both the Nikon Z 8 Firmware Ver. 2.0 and NX Tether Ver. 2.0 are available for free on the Nikon website: