Nikon Z System News and Commentary | Thom Hogan

Nikon Adds Ambassadors

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:23:22 -0400

Nikon today added two new Ambassadors to the previous 35: Tina Sokolovska and Brandon Woelful.

On Nikon's Ambassador Page, you can discover more about all 37 Ambassadors. However, I thought it might be interesting to see how Nikon categorizes each Ambassador (each Ambassador may list more than one specialty). What you get when you compile that information is the following:

17 Portrait
7 Wedding
5 Photojournalist
4 each of Filmmakers and Wildlife
3 Fashion
2 each of Artist, Commercial, Director, Documentary, Educator, Event, Sports, Travel
and only one each of Action, Adventure, Aviation, Beauty, Boudoir, Celebrity, Fine Art, Landscape, Lifestyle, Lighting, Live Performance, Macro, Nature, Video

I guess my question is this: does that "balance" accurately reflect who Nikon is selling cameras to?

Importantly there's this Nikon line: "[The Ambassadors] communicate the needs of working pros to Nikon [and] provide valuable insights about the direction of the imaging industry." Over half the categories Nikon lists are slanted to the Portrait/Event type of photography you'd find at WPPI. I'm thinking that Landscape and Travel seem underrepresented. Though there are indeed fewer professionals making money off those two categories than the others, those buying Nikon cameras are likely doing more of these kinds of work than is represented by the Ambassadors.

More Firmware Updates (Updated)

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:45:32 -0400

This week Nikon introduced Zf firmware version 3.01, Z9 firmware version 5.32, and Nikon Z50II version 1.04. All are small bug fix updates, and each fixes two small issues (only one is the same on both updates).

Update: the 24-50mm f/4-6.3 also got a small firmware fix, and now is on version 1.02.

Fix It Day in Z-Land

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:29:13 -0400

Today Nikon announced new firmware 1.11 for the ZR, which addresses two issues that needed fixing. But Nikon also announced a Technical Service Advisory for certain Z5II, Z6III, and ZR cameras.

Not all Z5II, Z6III, or ZR cameras have the issue, which can cause the camera to stop operating (which would tend to imply that it is a part in the power supply or digital board that's common to these three cameras that's the issue). Note that in Japan, only Z5II and ZR cameras were impacted, but here in the US the Z6III was also affected. In other words, distribution of the products with the defective part was not made to all countries, so if you're reading this outside the US, be sure to check your local Nikon subsidiaries support pages for more precise information about your camera.

Here in the US, go to NikonUSA's site and enter your serial number to see if your camera is affected by the advisory. This appears to work for both official US imports as well as gray market. If your camera has the defective part, you'll be led to a form to fill out, and Nikon will cover the cost of shipping and repair, sending you a shipping label for the return to NikonUSA. The actual recall and repairs will begin on March 23rd (probably due to need for new parts to get to repair facilities).

Are Chinese Lenses Really a Threat to the Z-Mount?

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:40:35 -0400

I'll answer the headline question up front: not really. Not at this time (but read through the entire article).

I'll posit an answer for Nikon, too: I don't believe that Nikon thinks that they're so much a threat, but rather they are disturbed that others are benefiting from Nikon's intellectual property and what that implies for the future.

The headline question comes from a reader, who also wonders what the real story is behind Nikon's sudden legal effort. As they pointed out, the vast majority of the lenses sold by the camera makers are zooms, not primes. The "rule of thumb" at dealers is that most customers buy two lenses and that's it. Both tend to be zooms, because convenience and extensive capability are their two top goals.

Those of you reading this are likely to have ten or more lenses in your gear closet (I know this from site reader surveys). Yes, you bought some zooms, but you're supplementing them with a variety of primes, and now some of those primes might be of Chinese origin. This is one reason why I wrote my piece the other day: Nikon's legal action could seriously erode support from Nikon's very best customers, and those customers do Nikon's best marketing. You can see that on the Internet by just how much discussion is going on about this topic in the various fora, which in turn are being fed by headlines in the news sections, and some of those are absolutely clickbait (e.g. "Nikon in Revenge Mode: Third-Party Z-Mount Lenses Vanish from Shelves").

Still Transfer to frame.io Now Supported

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:07:23 -0400

If you have a Nikon ZR, Z6III, Z8, or Z9 with current firmware and NX MobileAir, you can now directly push still photos through your mobile device to Adobe's frame.io service. Images on frame.io can be immediately processed using Lightroom, or shared with others (e.g. your client).

Once NX MobileAir is paired with both your camera and frame.io, you basically have "hands free" transfer of images into the cloud, either automatically or by selecting images manually on the camera for transfer. This is simpler to set up and less fussy than using an FTP server, though because a third party is involved, there is a cost to using it. Frame.io has a free 2GB storage plan for Creative Cloud users, but if you're really going to use this method to upload, process, and share photos you probably want the US$15/month plan that includes 2TB and a number of other useful features. [adobe frame.io page]

Nikon's first implementation of frame.io integration worked with videos, but I didn't notice when they updated that to handling stills. The current NX MobileAir documentation describes how to set things up with your frame.io account and then use it.

Be Careful What You Wish Sue For

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:33:39 -0500

It’s becoming increasingly clear that Nikon’s lawyers have been sending letters to Chinese lens makers. At least three now publicly admit to having received some form of a “license the mount (e.g. pay us) or else” letter. The Viltrox suit previously mentioned is now in progress in Chinese courts. Meanwhile, Sirui apparently has withdrawn their Z-mount autofocus lenses in China (half of which are APS-C, or DX, and fill clear gaps in Nikon’s DX lineup). Mieke also seems to have withdrawn their autofocus lenses.

None of the Japanese camera makers seems happy with the recent onslaught of Chinese optics that keep getting progressively better. CIPA and camera makers are reporting attachment rates—number of lenses sold per body—going down.

In the case of Nikon, they’re sending mixed signals more visibly than a teenager trying to find a date to the prom. Nikon made a big thing about higher end cameras being their goal, and then came out with the Z50II and Z5II and found that they’re selling so many entry bodies that it’s lowered their average selling cost. And then the Chinese come along and sell those new low-end camera buyers low-cost lenses. "Oh woe is me” say the beancounters. “You’re doing it to yourself” says I.

Z Mount Gets Jealous

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:24:48 -0500

While the Nikon Z mount got a handful of new lenses introduced prior to the opening of the big CP+ consumer trade show in Japan (Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II, Voigtlander 40mm f/2, Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Otus ML, the latter two available for other mounts, as well), look enviously at this list of lenses announced for other mounts:

15mm f/1.4 APS-C (Sigma)
20-50mm f/2 (Samyang)
28-105mm t/3 (Sigma)
35mm f/1.4 II (Sigma)
200mm f/1.8 (Samyang)
300mm f/4 (Samyang)

Another Lens Gets a Second Version

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:27:17 -0500

Today Nikon announced the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II, a rethink of the original fast telephoto zoom, with the same overall specification, but quite a few changes in the details.

Like the 24-70mm remake before it, the new 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II gets the Silky Swift VCM focus system and is about 3.5x faster to focus, plus focus tracking while zooming is said to improve 40%. Also like the 24-70mm remake, there's a new, better optical formula that results in higher optical performance while decreasing weight (26% lighter) and length (12mm shorter). Minimum focus distance also improves to a 1:3.3 ratio at 70mm and 1:4 at 200mm (the previous version was 1:5). The extra control ring can now be set to click or be freewheeling, and the included lens hood has an opening that allows adjustment of polarizing filters.

Wait for it...wait for it...after 22 years of directly and loudly complaining, Nikon has finally added an Arca-Swiss dovetail to the foot of the removable tripod collar for this lens. This just makes me more inclined to yell "wolf" when I see one ;~).

One Small Problem With Nikon Connectivity

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:52:30 -0500

In the course of the last six months, Nikon has had several planned outages of their cloud structure offerings. These last about nine hours, and impact Nikon Imaging Cloud, Nikon Image Space, NX Studio, and NX Tether. Nikon does send out emails in advance of these outages—the next one is February 12th—but those go to my junk folder and likely yours, too.

Here's the thing: Nikon wants us to use those services. The next planned one is basically the entire working hours here on the US East Coast. So using Nikon Imaging Cloud to automatically move images from camera to my own cloud services is out that day.

Meanwhile, if you don't use NX Studio or NX Tether regularly, you may be on their 30-day sign-in time out at the time of Nikon's planned server maintenance. That means you wouldn't be able to use those products that day. As it happens, I don't use NX Tether often, so I pretty much always have to re-sign in every time I use it. I just won't be able to do that on February 12th.

Ultimately, any cloud-type service needs to be essentially uninterrupted. It's one thing when there's a temporary outage due to something unplanned and needing immediate attention. But those are extremely rare on the services I use, and generally quite short in duration (not nine hours, as Nikon plans). The best companies also have swap-in-place systems with automatic fallback, which clearly Nikon does not have.

More Firmware Updates

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:22:23 -0500

Nikon today released two firmware updates.

The first is a bug fix update for the Z9, version 5.31. The sole item in this fix is a long-standing issue where the focus point might move from the subject in 3D-tracking and Subject-tracking AF. The earlier 5.3 update seemed to make this more likely to happen, and now it's been fixed, according to Nikon (I haven't had the chance to test it yet).

Meanwhile, the ZR got its first firmware update (to 1.10), with a number of modestly useful changes. Video can now be recorded for up to six hours, up to 50 LUT files can be added for View assist, file names can be given reel/clip/date and other information, timecode can be synced via the microphone/line input, and there are now warning indicators to indicate potential loss of detail in highlights when recording R3D raw files.

Is Nikon Suing Chinese Lens Makers?

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 10:18:27 -0500

Short answer: Probably

Over the past week Chinese rumor sites began publishing information about an upcoming court hearing regarding a patent royalty dispute between Nikon and Viltrox. Since then, we've seen Japanese and American photo sites pick up on this, some going to the extent of using AI to translate those rumors and "interpret" what's going on. And then this week we've seen additional rumors out of China that other lens makers have been sent cease and desist letters, the usual precursor to an official suit. I have queries into my sources at Viltrox and others about this, and will post their responses should I receive any. However, it appears that the court date in early March for a Nikon/Viltrox hearing is being reported accurately (you can find that information on the Shanghai's court schedule).

It's unclear from the information so far as to what Nikon really wants here. Cosina (Voigtlander), Sigma, and Tamron are known official licensees for the Z-mount, so it's clear that the mount is licensable. Each of the current licensees signed some sort of agreement with Nikon and make an official statement to that fact in their documentation and manuals; it's likely that this involved some payment to Nikon (e.g. mount royalty).

Santa Claus Was Late

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:40:13 -0500

I knew that Nikon was toying with a lens release, but it didn’t make the 2025 calendar and instead appeared today: the 24-105mm f/4-7.1 lens. This low cost (US$550) was designed to be a more versatile kit lens for the Z5II (and other lower-cost full frame cameras), and will appear as a bundle option with that camera for US$2200 sometime in the next month or two.

Good things and not-so-good things pepper a lens like this. The good is that it is still weather sealed (though not S), is very lightweight (350g), and provides up to 1:2 close up capability. The not-so-good is that it doesn’t have VR and doesn’t come supplied with the HB-93B lens hood. And, of course, the price is probably the most good thing of all, a relatively low.

The published MTF looks “okay” for the wide angle side—decent through the DX corners—and actually "very good" on the telephoto side, and overall better than the 24-200mm lens, so this new lens may become the preferred travel lens for many.

Changes for 2026

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 10:19:13 -0500

As usual with my end-of-year site updating, I've made a number of changes.

Advertising and affiliate links have been removed. All tracking mechanisms have been removed (though I obviously have to capture information if you buy one of my books).
Several articles got a mild update (e.g. Z System Upgrade Advice) to reflect current views. I also updated lists where appropriate (e.g. which camera/lenses have user service manuals).
2025 News/Views was moved into a sub-folder, as is my custom.
I did not change prices that are listed in the specifications or reviews. Those prices now reflect "introductory" price. With instant rebates constantly fluctuating, and now price increases and tariffs added, the current price may be obviously different. I'm not yet sure what to do about that, so for the time being I'll continue using introductory pricing for everything.
There's a new teleconverter FAQ.

In the course of working through every page on the site, I found 14 news/views articles that really should either be permanent articles on the site or used to update an existing article. I'm also aware of additional things that need updating (for instance, many of the charts, some reviews, etc.). However, most of those changes will probably wait until I complete the full site overhaul later this year.

Yes, I mean full site overhaul. The technology driving this site is no longer state-of-the-art, and there are things I'd like to do that aren't easy to do in the current form. So I'm (slowly) rewriting the site using Tailwind and other current technologies. However, that means I have to redo at least a thousand pages (I probably won't do it for older news). And as I redo those pages, I generally am doing a full edit and touch up on pretty much everything. It's a slow, onerous process, but the pay off should be big.

2026 Predictions

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 10:46:37 -0500

I don't usually make predictions these days. I try to live in the present as much as possible, and so should you.

That said, there's enough fantasy flotsam floating around the net at the moment that I think a more considered approach needs to be presented. So here are my Z System 2026 predictions:

Z9II, but later than you expect. There's little doubt Nikon has been working on this, and a few bits and pieces of information have indeed trickled in, but I'd be surprised if a new flagship makes it out in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics (February). It may miss the World Cup, too (June/July). Word is that the camera is still moving forward, but that key parts are arriving in quantity later than originally planned. Maybe we'll see mules in Torino or the soccer stadia.
Z30II, but not named what you think. It's always difficult to outguess Nikon marketing; they've changed naming near last minute before. I get the sense, however, that any Z30 refresh now has to fit in with the RED bridging, so maybe ZR30? That doesn't exactly make sense, so perhaps ZRc (cropped sensor letter added to match ZF/Zfc).
Maybe Z7III, but that still seems iffy. The real issue is that Nikon doesn't want to undercut the Z8, which is still selling well. Doing the Z6III type of update for the Z7 would seem to put Z8 sales in jeopardy. That said, once the Z9II iterates, that's going to put some Z8 sales on hold as people will expect a Z8II making the same or similar changes not long after (I'm not sure that will happen, though). Nikon will want to use any Z8 sales weakness as the timing for a Z7III drop. The real question, though, is "which Z7III?" I know of two mules that were out there at some point, and they had different image sensors. If it were me in charge, I'd target a better EVF, Z9-generation, 45mp Z7III launching in late 2026. That's the right timing for parts re-use, among other things. But it's not me in charge, so who knows? Bottom line: I know of no information that indicates that a Z7III is iminent.

I'm not really expecting any other Z System cameras from Nikon in 2026. Nikon's yearly ILC iteration since the pandemic has been 1, 2, 2, and 2, and my predictions above are again 2 (with a possible +1). As much as some might want a dual drop (Z9II with Z90), I don't see a higher end DX camera coming until Nikon commits to their next APS-C sensor, and I'm pretty sure that hasn't happened yet. There's a case to be made for Nikon using a one-off sensor for any Z90, but I just don't see them doing that at the lower end of the lineup where keeping costs down through parts re-use is absolutely necessary.

The missing telephoto arrives. You and I may disagree what's missing, but I'm saying the 100-300mm range really needs more addressing. There have been plenty of rumors that the 120-300mm f/2.8 is about to make a leap from F to Z. The fact that it hasn't already appeared tells me that Nikon has something up their sleeve there (e.g. 120-300mm f/2.8 TC, or a change in focal length, perhaps even a faster aperture). I wouldn't be surprised to see this show up as a PF (phase fresnel) lens, which would also explain the delay.
The next "Two" arrives. This one isn't difficult to predict now that we've seen what Nikon did with the 24-70mm f/2.8. Nikon has a long history of updating the two key f/2.8 zooms, and thus the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II certainly is coming soon. Nikon will want the pro base (Z9II, 24-70mm f/2.8 II, 70-200mm f/2.8 II) is available together to show off what’s new, particularly in focus performance.
RED-ready will dominate the rest of the new lenses. We know that Nikon has committed to a line of Cinema lenses, and we really need to see them playing out in 2026 in order to boost ZRc, ZR, and RED sales. I don't know how many Nikon will get to in 2026, but I expect at least two new primes, and probably three. Plus there's the potential for a DX lens, too.

Beyond the above lenses, Nikon is currently a bit pushed on capacity. The new Japanese lens plant is now under construction, so Nikon has their own supply constraints at the moment.

Start Here With Your New Camera

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 08:20:16 -0500

So, you got a new Z System camera for Christmas. Now what?

This really boils down into somewhat different tasks for two different groups: (a) those new to the Nikon Z System; and (b) those upgrading within the Nikon Z System.

Those Upgrading Within the Z System

Let's deal with the upgraders first, because that's easy enough to get out of the way.

Buy a (or some) new card(s). Really. Cards don't last forever, and it's likely that your new camera really wants state-of-the-art cards to perform at high frame rates or in top video categories. The longer you've used a card, the more likely it has NAND gates that are being redistributed (losing capacity) and it is getting closer to cell failures impacting data capture. I retire cards with cameras, and thus almost never have card issues. Some pros I know don't retire cards, and they have many more card issues than I've ever encountered.
Make sure you're USB Power Delivery capable. All the Z System cameras now use USB PD, and typically at higher voltages (15w, 27w) than the lowest common denominator wall warts (5w). Serious photographers have a way to charge their cameras from larger batteries, from their car, and in their homes or room while traveling. Get a multi-outlet wall wart with high enough voltage to support both your computer and camera charging simultaneously (e.g. 100w multi-port), and make sure you have cables that support that. (And if you're bemoaning the fact that Nikon no longer supplies chargers, thank Europe. The mandates there basically forced all electronic makers hands, even Apple.)
Update and rationalize your accessories. Batteries change, direct chargers change, connector types change (and thus cables need to change), remotes change, and even things like hot shoe covers change. Look for all the accessory points that changed for you and make sure you're up-to-speed with everything for your new camera.
It's likely you moved to the Z9 generation. Moving from the first generation Z's (Zfc, Z30, Z50, Z5, Z6, Z6II, Z7, and Z7II) to the current Z9 generation Z's (Z50II, Zf, Z5II, Z6III, Z8, and Z9) is mostly good news and a relatively easy transition with two exceptions: (1) autofocus; and (2) customization. Z9 generation cameras have very different autofocus systems, even though on first appearance they seem much the same as before. They're not. If you really want the better focus these new cameras provide, you're going to have to study and master the new system (I explain that in detail in my book for your camera). But the mastering part also tends to require that you dig deeper into the customization side of your new camera (and yes, I've got a book that explains that, too). Some features you didn't have before (such as pre-capture) may be present, but it's really autofocus and customization study that will bring the greatest result for your time spent.

That's pretty much it for upgraders. That's one of the nice things about Nikon's legacy focus: a lot of things don't change, or don't change enough that you can't understand them quickly.

Those Just Starting with the Z System

I put the upgrade advice first because you, too, should be doing all those things (new cards, USB PD accessories, new accessories, and studying the autofocus and customization options). If you're having trouble understanding the first three of those, check the accessories section on this site and drop me an email if you still have questions. If you're having trouble with the last two, I'm not surprised, and again, my books offer deep, wide, and understandable information that can help you get going.

Did Nikon Do Enough in 2025?

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:53:32 -0500

Let's start with what we did get from Nikon in 2025:

2 Cameras — Z5II, ZR
4 Lenses — 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX, 35mm f/1.7 DX, 24-70mm f/2.8 S II, 35mm f/1.2 S
14 Firmware Updates:
- 4 Significant — Zf, Z6III, Z8, Z9
- 10 Modest — Zfc, Z30, Z50, Z50II, Z5, Z5II, Z6, Z6II, Z7, Z7II

Looking back on it all, to me it feels as if 2025 was mostly about filling gaps:

Entry full frame moved into the Z9 generation filling a gap that the other brands haven't yet managed well
The ZR bridged the Z/RED lineups
The DX lens set extended the appeal of the recently introduced Z50II and even the older Zfc
Missing functions were added to the Z9 generation firmware for every such camera
All the Z9 generation firmware was brought mostly into congruence

Nothing is wrong with that list. Those of us already in the Z System saw Nikon's strong commitment to (as much as possible) getting a full lineup filled and normalized. Nikon is actually unique among brands at the moment in that everything from the low-cost Z50II up through the top-end pro Z9 shares functionality, personality, and customization. What now distinguishes the current products is that you basically pay for more performance as you move up the line.

Those still only thinking about the Z System saw new options appear that might entice them (entry FX renewed, DX extended via lenses, ZR showing off new vlogging/video skills). To them, the Z System now seems fuller, and that shared functionality, personality, and customization means you can reliably grow in the lineup without re-learning.

All good things.

What's missing, though, was new truly new ideas and technology breakthroughs.

2025 Nikon Z System News/Views

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:01:15 -0500

Because the news articles tend to get buried deep in archives, I’ve promoted them into separate yearly folders now. If you’re looking for the current year’s news, just click on News/Views in the menus at the top of the page (i.e. don’t use the pull down menu).

Here are the stories that appeared on this site in 2025:

2024 Nikon Z System News/Views

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 11:14:04 -0500

Because the news articles begin to get buried deep in archives, I’ve promoted them into separate yearly folders now. If you’re looking for the current year’s news, just click on News/Views in the menus at the top of the page (i.e. don’t use the pull down menu).

Here are the stories that appeared on this site in 2024:

2023 Nikon Z System News/Views

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 16:19:32 -0500

Here are the stories that appeared on this site in 2023:

2022 Nikon Z System News/Views

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 16:38:02 -0500

Because the news articles are starting to get buried deep in archives, I’ve promoted them into separate yearly folders now. If you’re looking for the current year’s news, just click on News/Views in the menus at the top of the page (i.e. don’t use the pull down menu).

Here are the stories that appeared on this site in 2022: