Nikon Firmware Updates: Native Webcam Utility on Apple Silicon and RAW Video (Paid) for Z6 and Z7 on Blackmagic

Source: HW Upgrade added 18th Dec 2020

  • nikon-firmware-updates:-native-webcam-utility-on-apple-silicon-and-raw-video-(paid)-for-z6-and-z7-on-blackmagic

by Roberto Colombo, published on

? Support for RAW video output is available via a paid service upgrade: Firmware Version 3. 20 adds support in this service for Blackmagic Design external video recorders. Native support for new Apple Silicon chips based on ARM architecture for the webcam utility ??

Despite the launch of the new Z7 II and Z6 II versions of the full frame mirrorless cameras that launched the Nikon Z system , the Japanese technicians do not forget the first models and do not consider them outdated, indeed, with the recent firmware updates they expand the possibilities of use in the video field.

Unboxing Nikon Z6 II: the new full frame mirrorless has arrived in the editorial office [/HWUVIDEO]

Z 6II and Z 7II firmware

But let’s start with a couple of slight tweaks given to the software of the brand new Nikon Z7 II and Z6 II, with the first update of C firmware to version 1. 01 . For both cameras we find the following changes, as detailed on the Nikon website for Z6 II and Z7 II:

  • The following problem has been fixed:
    • – The flash photos taken with Area Auto AF selected for AF area mode in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU were sometimes not properly exposed.
  • Better overall reliability.

Firmware Z 6 and Z 7

Definitely more substantial the update that affects the prime Nikon Z6 and Z7 , which see the C firmware switch from version 3. 12 to the version 3. 18: here are the changes, some of which enable the possibility to add the RAW video output for a fee. All details are available on the support pages in Italian for Z7 and Z6.

  • Support for RAW video output is available via a paid service upgrade, and firmware version 3. 20 adds support in this service for Blackmagic Design external video recorders (currently Video Assist 5 “12 G HDR and Video Assist 7 “12 G HDR). If you have already purchased the RAW video output upgrade for your camera, upgrade to version 3. 20 of the firmware will automatically add support for Blackmagic Design external video recorders.
  • Users of Apple’s Final Cut Pro X (version 10. 4.9 or later) can now adjust the ISO sensitivity ?? as well as view and adjust the color temperature ?? for the output of ProRes RAW sequences to ATOMOS NINJA V external recorders using the paid service upgrade of RAW video output.
    • Before shooting RAW video, please choose an option for HDMI > Advanced > RAW output options > RAW output type in the SETTINGS MENU according to the type of recorder connected: select Type A for NINJA V recorders and Type B for Video Assist recorders.
  • Support for NIKKOR Z lenses has been added 50 mm f / 1.2 S.
  • The following issues have been fixed:
    • – By turning the mass a focus or (if Focus (M / A) is assigned to the control ring), the control ring sometimes failed to activate manual focus during continuous photography when a NIKKOR Z lens was attached.
    • – The exposure indicator was not displayed in M ​​mode when a non-CPU lens via an FTZ bayonet adapter.

      • – Some aperture values ​​were not selected when the control rings for the following lenses were rotated to stop down the aperture in movie mode:

      • ▹ NIKKOR Z 24 – 50 mm f / 4-6.3
      • ▹ NIKKOR Z 24 – 200 mm f / 4-6.3 VR
      • ▹ NIKKOR Z DX 11 – 50 mm f / 3.5-6.3 VR
      • ▹ NIKKOR Z DX 50 – 250 mm f / 4.5-6.3 VR
  • ?? Unexpected aperture values ​​were sometimes displayed during bracketing in mode M if a bracketing option that made aperture changes was selected with a NIKKOR Z lens attached.
  • ?? The motorized iris controls would sometimes stop responding after the standby timer was activated for an extended period in movie mode.

Webcam Utility (Mac)

The Japanese technicians also worked on the software that allows you to use mirrorless and reflex cameras as a webcam for videochat, webinar and videoconferencing, in particular by updating the dedicated version to Mac users, which reaches the Windows version at release 1. 01. The news concerns the compatibility with the Big Sur operating system 19, but above all native support for the new Apple Silicon chips based on ARM architecture. Here is the news as detailed on the Nikon support site in Italian:

  • ?? Support for macOS Big Sur version has been added 11.
  • ? ? Support for Apple Silicon has been added. Note that the Webcam Utility works as a universal plugin and on Apple Silicon machines it works as a native Apple Silicon app in the universal version of Chrome.