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johnrg
Inspiring
December 31, 2024
Answered

Nikon Zf. Using USB I cannot import as I always do into LR Classic

  • December 31, 2024
  • 6 replies
  • 1139 views

Importing files by USB from my Nikon Zf. have been problematic. I added a screen shot below illustrating the issue. I always Import and Copy to a destination on my PC. It will display 1 preview out of 30 files at times while the remaining are greyed out. At times It may show 25 previews and errors for the rest.

 

If outside of Lightroom I browse the files using a card reader I have no issues. I can many times also read the card on the camera and copy and paste to a destination on my hd first, before them Importing to LR Classic and simply Adding them in place to the catalog.

 

The main problem is just my common method of pluggin in, transferring to my PC and charging the camera. A second issue and this is weird but may be related. Just reading the files on camera I'll normally navigate there in file manager and as soon as I double click to open the folder, file manager closes. 

I don't normally cable up the Zf, as my laptop (Surface Book 3/W11/Nvidia) has a SD card reader, and I have one for my workstation. But It is an issue so reporting what I found using USB with the Nikon Zf. 

 

It may be something with the latest Nikons as well. I never plug in my D500 so never had an issue there. 

 

W11 Workstation LR Classic 14.1.1

 

[moved from bugs to discussions according to the community rules - Mod.]

Correct answer johnrg

Well. The cable is the source of the problem. Just used my cell phone charger cable and files transferred easily. The cable Nikon sends is a beefy cable and just assumed it was quality but flimsy cell charger cable works! Appreciate the help. 

6 replies

johnrg
johnrgAuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
January 1, 2025

Well. The cable is the source of the problem. Just used my cell phone charger cable and files transferred easily. The cable Nikon sends is a beefy cable and just assumed it was quality but flimsy cell charger cable works! Appreciate the help. 

johnrellis
Legend
January 2, 2025

"The cable is the source of the problem."

 

Glad you resolved the problem. Often such problems remain stubbornly unsolved.

johnrellis
Legend
January 1, 2025

Over the years there have been many reports of flakiness importing and tethering via USB cable. LR relies on libraries provided by Windows and Mac, and maintaining them doesn't seem to be a priority of Apple and Microsoft.

 

Sometimes getting a different cable can help, as does plugging directly into a port on the computer rather than via a hub.

 

And importing via card readers, as you normally do, is usually much faster.

johnrg
johnrgAuthor
Inspiring
January 1, 2025

OK. I got Lightroom to import 3 test images. If I select one preview image (when they do show) and de-select the others and wait a long 5 seconds between selecting and Importing one image, it works. One by one I got them. Same behavior though with greyed out images. I can shut down LR and restart or just cancel import and re-import and whether I see a preview or not is random. Very weird. I did reboot after a few tries, removed any control with Autoplay setting for camera or card.

johnrg
johnrgAuthor
Inspiring
January 1, 2025

I'm selecting Devices. The highlighted bar is the Nikon Zf under Devices.

johnrg
johnrgAuthor
Inspiring
January 1, 2025

It has been occurring since the camera was new last spring. I just updated the firmware to the latest tonight to test and that didn't change the behavior.

GoldingD
Legend
January 1, 2025

Did this first start to fail on or about 12/12/2024? (when up update to Windows 24H2)

 

I cannot quite see, as the screenshot is cut off on the left. In the Import, are you selecting Devices, or Files?