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Carmine22401326f2nk
Participant
July 8, 2023

P: Upgrading Nikon Z9 Firmware to 4.0 breaks tethering

  • July 8, 2023
  • 31 replies
  • 6638 views

I am attempting to tether a Nikon Z9 using Lightroom Classic, but LRC can't detect the Z9.  I am able to download pictures from the Z9 to LRC all day long, and LRC successfully detects my Nikon D850 for tethering.  Nikon Z9 firmware is 4.0.  Mac iOs is 13.4.1.  LRC release is 12.4.  All are up to date.  Any ideas?

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    31 replies

    KR Seals
    Community Expert
    KR SealsCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 23, 2024

    I find that Z 9 firmware tethers ok to LrC in both PC and Mac OS. Z 8 will not tether properly in either. The new Z 8 firmware, 2.01 does not fix that.

     

    Ken Seals - Nikon Z 9, Z 8, 14mm-800mm. Computer Win 11 Pro, I7-14700K, 64GB, RTX3070TI. Travel machine: 2021 MacBook Pro M1 MAX 64GB. All Adobe apps.
    W
    WSTUDIOLA
    Participant
    April 23, 2024

    Does any one know if Nikon Z9 firmware 5.0 works with the current version (13.2) of LRC for tethering? Want to make sure before I move forward on purchasing the Z9. Thanks in advance!

    Rikk Flohr_Photography
    Community Manager
    Rikk Flohr_PhotographyCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    October 10, 2023

    Greetings all,

     

    Updates for the Adobe Photography Products have been released.  The October 2023 updates contain a fix for this issue. 

    If you do not see the update in your Creative Cloud Application, you can refresh it by hitting [Ctrl/Cmd]+[Alt/Opt]+[ R ].

    Note: It may take up to 24 hours for your update to be available in your Creative Cloud app.

     

    Thank you for your patience.

    Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org
      johnrellis
      johnrellis
      Legend
      September 19, 2023

      "I contacted Nikon CS and this was their reply"

       

      Not surprising but about as trustworthy as Adobe support. LR uses a Nikon-supplied library for connecting to cameras. The v4 firmware update could be incompatible with that library, and Adobe will have to wait for Nikon to supply a new one (and Nikon is very slow at updating its library). Alternatively the firmware update could be compatible with the library but changed its behavior in a technically correct way that was unexpected by LR (a LR bug). 

       

      Impossible for us to know where to point the finger. But based on years of past experience, we shouldn't expect much transparency from either company.

        JonGib77
        JonGib77
        Participating Frequently
        September 19, 2023

        I contacted Nikon CS and this was their reply:

        Subject: Nikon Z9 - Tethering Issue with Latest Firmware Update
        Dear Jon,

        Thank you for contacting Nikon Support.

        I understand the issue and I know it does not help you any further but it is Adobe who offers compatibility with Adobe´s Lightroom and not Nikon. 

        For that matter I advise you to contact Adobe Support to inform you whether the latest firmware update has disturbed tethering into Lightroom.

        In case you have questions or need more information, please do not hesitate contacting me.

        Kind regards,
        johnrellis
        johnrellis
        Legend
        September 16, 2023

        Another workaround is to roll back the firmware to version 3.10:

        https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-bugs/p-upgrading-nikon-z9-firmware-to-4-0-breaks-tethering/idc-p/14058508#M46362

        M
        Marcus P2
        Participant
        September 13, 2023

        I'm hoping it will be fixed in the next lightroom update. If you are not interested in having a hot folder setup there is another work around that I am using to tether to LR. 

        You can download a trial version of Smart shooter v5. (30days)

        It enables Z9 tethering and is not too hard to set up. 

        As long as you enable lightroom tethering and install the lightroom plugin it works great.

        Main thing to do is start Smartshoot 5 first, ensure the camera is connected then you can tether as per normal in lightroom

          J
          Community Expert
          Jao vdLCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          September 12, 2023

          Looks like the Z9 problem is the same firmware update issue. 4.01 was released last two weeks ago or so. The firmware version is not yet supported by the current Nikon tethering API that is included in Lightroom and so it won't work. You can use Nikon's free tethering software and just use a watched folder to get the raw files into Classic automatically. Works just as well as the built-in tethering and is Apple Silicon native so you won't have to run Lightroom in emulation.

            S
            shermanphoto17383501
            Participant
            September 12, 2023

            Frimware 4 breaks tehering with the z9

              JonGib77
              JonGib77
              Participating Frequently
              September 12, 2023

              It took an age for Adobe & Nikon to get the Z9 Tethered on LRC - now after numerous updates I cant get it to connect again.  I know there are many people in the same boat.  Tried on both iMac & Macbook Pro using all the latest firmawares and operating systems all upto date.

              The Z9 is found on the computers, even Lightroom can see it (as per attached image) but cannot connect to the camera... 

              Any suggestions please? (I have followed all the advice on restarting etc etc etc).

               

               

                Rikk Flohr_Photography
                Community Manager
                Rikk Flohr_PhotographyCommunity Manager
                Community Manager
                September 12, 2023

                Did you recently update the firmware on your Z9 to version 4.0?

                Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org
                JonGib77
                JonGib77
                Participating Frequently
                September 12, 2023

                Yes and it is now 4.01

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