Nikon Announces Firmware Update For AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens
October 6, 2015
Nikon Europe has officially released a Firmware Update for the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens. Nikon USA has also released a Firmware Update for the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens.
From Nikon Europe Support Centre Page:
To users of the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens
Thank you for choosing Nikon for your photographic needs.
Nikon will implement a service for updating AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens firmware. Details regarding implementation of this firmware service are as follows.
Firmware update details
We have confirmed that with autofocus shooting using the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens, autofocus may sometimes become disabled and focus operation switches to manual focus* when the zoom ring on the lens is rotated while the camera's shutter-release button is pressed halfway, or the camera's AF-ON button is held down.
*Autofocus operation can be restored by pressing the camera's shutter-release button halfway again, or pressing the camera's AF-ON button again.
To address the occurrence of this, we will implement a service for updating AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens firmware.
Updating lens firmware
Those who would like to have their AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR firmware updated may take or send their lens to a Nikon authorised service center, where the firmware will be updated free of charge.
Identifying lenses with which the firmware has already been updated
Firmware in lenses with a serial number of 2008365 or higher have already been updated
Requesting service
Please direct inquiries regarding this matter to your nearest Image Nikon Service Centre* or create a "Free Service Returns Request.
*This document is available from digitaldingus in case you cannot download from Nikon directly.
From Nikon USA Firmware Update For Lenses Page:
To users of the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens
Thank you for choosing Nikon for your photographic needs.
Nikon will implement a service for updating AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR firmware. Details regarding implementation of this firmware service are as follows.
Firmware update details
We have confirmed that with autofocus shooting using the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens, autofocus may sometimes become disabled and focus operation switches to manual focus* when the zoom ring on the lens is rotated while the camera's shutter-release button is pressed halfway, or the camera's AF-ON button is held down.
*Autofocus operation can be restored by pressing the camera's shutter-release button halfway again, or pressing the camera's AF-ON button again.
To address the occurrence of this, we will implement a service for updating AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens firmware.
Updating lens firmware
Those who would like to have their AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR firmware updated may take or send their lens to a Nikon authorised service center, where the firmware will be updated free of charge.
Identifying lenses with which the firmware has already been updated
To check whether or not your lens is one of those affected by this issue, please click the Check Your Serial Number link below and enter your lens serial number. Your lens serial number will be checked and if affected, instructions for obtaining service will be displayed.
Check Your Serial Number to check to see if your lens is affected by this firmware.
For additional information regarding this matter, please contact Nikon Customer Support Center at 1-800- 645-6687, 9am-8pm EST, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) or online here.
Comments
Of course, this is just a firmware upgrade. Since this is a firmware upgrade, Nikon isn't obligated to advertise this firmware update as much as a service advisory. However, this lens has barely been in the hands of owners for a month. And I suspect many have these lenses on order from various websites, and these websites might now have a few canceled orders coming their way. Is there a way to avoid this issue? I think there is. And I have to point to a third party lens manufacturer as an example.
Sigma's USB Dock System...so why not Nikon?
Sigma has had their USB Dock system in place for quite sometime now, and I'm getting to the point of being insulted from Nikon for not creating such a device to update the firwmare of lenses. This is not rocket science. If it was, these lenses wouldn't be produced in such mass quantities. And Sigma wouldn't have come up with an amazing idea and such a simple little tool to cut down on the need to send equipment into their service centers for repair.
Nikon Owners Getting Setup For Additional Equipment Issues
It's a simple statistics theory. The more products you have coming into a service center...the higher the probability a Nikon Repair Tech will accidentally adjust something more than necessary or have so many repair tickets to handle, there is just a known number of equipment pieces which will be modified beyond what the equipment was sent in for.
Now, let me say right now that I admire Nikon's Repair Techs. They are AWESOME. And they need a break. Firmware updates are probably the most hazardous of repairs, because it's something simple to do, but the equipment needs to physically be shipped to Nikon...sit in the repair center alongside hundreds of other equipment...then get shipped back to the owner. This is just plain ridiculous. I'm going to make an assumption:
ONE FIRMWARE UPDATE TO NIKON WOULD PAY FOR A CONSUMER LENS FIRMWARE PRODUCT UPDATER.
These are cheap to make. Sigma has done it, sells it for $59, and I guarantee it only costs half that. For the cost of shipping a lens to and from an owner's home, then paying for a Nikon Repair Tech to do it, would easily pay for itself in ONE FIRMWARE UPDATE AT THE OWNER'S HOME. A Nikon Repair Tech could then have more time to work on troubleshooting other equipment which required a much bigger degree of concentration and dedication, reducing the anxiety of management telling them they need to complete X NUMBER OF TICKETS IN AN HOUR.
Nikon. If you're listening. Get a lens updater/focus adjuster for Nikon owners.
I already purchased a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens because I want to buy from a company that looks forward.
Nikon Firmware Update
Date Of Release: October 6, 2015
Official Website (Europe): Nikon Europe Firmware Update
Official Website (USA): Nikon USA Firmware Update
Issue: AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens focusing becomes disabled during normal use.
Resolution: Nikon lens owners can send in their lens, free of charge to get the proper firmware update.
Serial Number Check: For European customers Serial Number 2008365 and HIGHER have already been updated. For US customers, please Check Your Serial Number.
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