Thom Hogan

Update 4/19: in less than a day we had 64 really good firmware update changes identified, and the list grows a bit every time I check my email or think of something I missed (currently 120 solid suggestions). I've done my best to consolidate the emails I get with the list below, as well as conform the style and language so that it's easier to parse. I've removed some lengthy explanations, left/edited a few shorter ones. 

Due to the volume of email I'm getting on this, I'm not responding directly back unless I see a misunderstanding in the request. For instance, one person wrote asking for a feature that their camera already had, they just didn't know where it was or how to use it. This has turned out to be common: a number of feature requests are coming in that show that the person making the suggestion doesn't know all the capabilities of their camera. The Z9 generation cameras are among the most complex Nikon has ever created, so this isn't totally surprising (it's one of the reasons why I have some simplification items on my wish list and probably need to add more; it's also suggesting where I need to do more instruction).  

If something is already on the list below, you don't have to repeat it back to me. Indeed, please read the current list carefully to make sure your request isn't already covered, as it will help me deal with the huge volume of emails I'm getting if you don't repeat things.

As I intimate at the end of this article, this is just Step 1 in the process. I'll let you know when we're ready to progress to Step 2. By the end of Step 3, I'm hoping to have grabbed Nikon's full attention ;~). 

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I've removed my aging "Wish List" from the Cameras/Articles section of this site. It was getting out of date given that Nikon had addressed, at least partially, quite a few of the items on it. Moreover, new cameras, features, and suggested changes needed to be added to the list. 

Thus, I need to rebuild the list, but I also want to make sure that it represents not just my ideas, but fixes as much real user pain as possible. To do so I need to open ideas up to my readership and get them fully involved (keep reading to the end). 

I've separated "wishes" into the categories of things we want Nikon to consider doing in future firmware:

• Fix — a clear bug or issue with replicating a specific result. 
• Change — the current implementation needs to be rethought and a different solution made.
• Add missing — a clearly missing item that is necessary to stay current with other Nikon products.
• Add new — something that can be added that would improve usability of our cameras.
• Restore — return a feature from previous cameras that was removed.
• Simplify — mostly renaming and regrouping existing features. If a name isn't meaningful to you, suggest a better name. Meanwhile, grouping of similar menu items would shorten the scroll through the menus to find the right item, plus put like things together where they belong. 

I want to get this list "more right" this time, because I'm going to do my best to get all of these items raised to Tokyo's rapt and clear attention. I'll need your help to do that, and I have a plan for how to do that. But it's a little premature to reveal that plan. First, I need to get your buy in on the things I believe that need to be done, along with your suggestions for additional items. We need a clear and vetted list this time, as on the previous one Nikon took some liberties, both in how they interpreted an idea as well as whether it was important enough to implement.

I'm going to limit this to Z9 generation cameras only. At this point, Nikon is not going to backfill firmware demands other than bug fixes for the Z5, Z6, Z6II, Z7, Z7II, Z30, or Zfc. I know some will complain about that, but the reality is that Nikon has only so many engineering resources, and those currently have their hands full with just Z9 generation cameras (Z50II, Zf, Z5II, Z6III, Z8, Z9, plus whatever comes next). I'm also editing out a few functions that would be clearly next generation (i.e. would require a new EXPEED capability, different hardware, etc.).

Here's my current proposed list:

1. Z50II/Z5II/Z6III — (add new) For U1/U2/U3, add the ability to name the user setting in Save user settings, and then show that name on the display/EVF when that user setting is chosen.
2. Z50II/Z5II/Z6III —  (add missing) When U1/U2/U3 are selected, add Exposure mode setting to PHOTO SHOOTING menu, so that it can be changed.
3. Z6III/Zf — (add missing) Add Subject motion to (CSM #a3) Focus tracking with lock-on.
4. Zf/Z6III/Z8/Z9 — (add new) Add AF-A Focus mode.
5. Z50II — (fix) Fix bug where using UVC/UAC streaming once means any USB connection later removes menu options.
6. Z50II — (add missing) Add Commander mode ability to pop-up flash. 
7. Z6III — (add missing) Add Birds to subject detection.
8. Z6III — (add missing) Add Cycle AF-area mode as a button customization.
9. Z6III — (add missing) Add the Non-CPU lens data entry system from the Zf 2.0 firmware.
10. Z6III — (add new) Allow reprogramming the Monitor Mode button and top OLED panel illumination buttons in Custom controls (shooting, playback, video). Requires adding Monitor mode as a button customization option.
11. Z6III — (add missing) Add Focus point border width.
12. Z8 — (add missing) Add customization for Focus Mode button.
13. Z8 — (add missing) Add Image quality (HSFC). 
14. Z8 — (add missing) Make front LED work as tally light.
15. Z8/Z9 — (add missing) Add Programmable AF distance limit set-up. Similar to Auto capture, but just one of the functions separated out from Auto capture: press a button and lock the from and to focus distance (focus range) so that the camera will only look to focus within the range previously set. This is to “tell” the camera not to grab the background. Also useful for photographing through foliage.
16. Z8/Z9 — (add missing) Ability to use the Rear LCD as a trackpad (while using EVF) to freely move focus position.
17. Z8/Z9 — (add missing) Add MF subject detection area.
18. Z8/Z9 — (add new) Add User settings to SETUP with options for Save user setting, Use user setting, and Reset user setting. These would be named U1, U2, U3 to match lower cameras. As part of this, add Cycle user setting to programmable button functions.
19. Z8/Z9 — (add new) Add Save bank settings and Recall bank settings to the SETUP menu. 
20. Z8/Z9 — (add missing) Add Nikon Imaging Cloud and Flexible Picture Control support.
21. Z8/Z9 — (change) Add an option to #F2 Lens control ring assignment: Require button press. A common issue brought up by users is that they like the ability to assign the control ring to something but don’t do so because it is easily accidentally moved and then their setting is wrong without them noticing. Requiring a button held down while rotating the control ring would “fix” this. The question is which button. For Aperture it should be the Mode button, for Exposure compensation and ISO it should be the named button.
22. Z8/Z9 — (change) When using two memory cards and pressing Delete you’re presented with a Delete on both? option that doesn’t seem to have any real options. Really should be Delete on slot 1, Delete on slot 2, Delete on both slots.
23. Z8/Z9 – (change) When using the i menu to change Picture Control, use the same on-screen interface as the Z50II/Z5II.
24. Z8/Z9 – (add new) Add Save EVF/Monitor position (settings). Also when you change from daytime to nighttime photography you might want to change the brightness of the monitor and viewfinder together, so needs a Restore function, too.
25. Z8/Z9 – (change) The split screen display zoom should allow the user to move both areas independently from one other. When you use a shift/tilt lens you want maximum DoF and need to look at close area and distant area together. Also, you should be able to change aperture when using the split screen display, for the same reason.
26. Z8/Z9 — (add new) Add a user-settable aperture for focus only (e.g. different from shooting aperture). This would improve low-light AF when photographing at apertures smaller than wide-open. 
27. Z8/Z9 — (add missing) Add a Complete shut down option for power. Many sub-systems stay active when the Power switch is moved to Off. This means that a camera not used for a few days with a battery left in, may be at “no charge” when you pick it up and try to use it immediately. 
28. Z8/Z9 — (add new) Add RAW histogram ability. Preferably in live view.
29. Z8/Z9 — (add missing) Return the ability to assign Spot metering (and other metering methods) to a button.
30. Z8/Z9 — (change) Allow each button customization to have a different Recall shooting function. In other words, you can assign multiple buttons to a recall function, but they each recall different things.
31. Z8/Z9 — (add missing) Add Focus point VR.
32. Z8/Z9 — (add new) Add open gate video recording. 
33. Z8/Z9 — (change) Add additional banks. Also: separate PHOTO SHOOTING and VIDEO RECORDING banks. 
34. Z8/Z9 — (add new) Add Lightning (flash) trigger to Auto capture.
35. Z8/Z9 — (add missing) Add the Non-CPU lens data entry system from the Zf 2.0 firmware.
36. Z8/Z9 — (add missing) Allow a bank to be assigned to a button customization (e.g. switch banks). Alternatively, add Cycle bank option. 
37. Z8/Z9 — (add missing) Direct support of UVC/UAC streaming.
38. Z9 — (change) PHOTO SHOOTING and VIDEO RECORDING banks are not independent as they are on the Z8.
39. Z9 — (add new) Add AF-area mode of Close focus priority and also Far focus priority (Needs to interact properly with subject detection.)
40. Z9 — (add missing) Add SETUP > Release option > [both releases active] [only release for orientation active] to help disable accidental shutter release from the non-active release when camera is in different orientation.
41. Z9 — (add missing) Add HEIF support.
42. Z9 — (add new) Add content authentication.
43. Z9 — (add missing) Add Pixel shift shooting. 
44. Z9 Generation — (add missing) Add Starting storage folder to Auto bracketing, Multiple exposure, and HDR overlay.
45. Z9 Generation (add missing) — Add Allow full frame with DX lens option in Image area. 
46. Z9 Generation - (change) Improve live histogram so that borders aren’t the same color as data. In particular, if the border were yellow and you had pixels at maximum value, the right border would change to white (or blink). 
47. Z9 generation - (change) Allow Auto ISO minimum shutter speed and Auto ISO maximum sensitivity to be added to the MY MENU. Also include the minimum shutter speed within the ISO sub-menu when selected as an option on the "i" menu (the sub-menu that already has auto ISO on/off and maximum sensitivity)
48. Z9 Generation — (simplify) The lack of menu consistency is annoying for those with multiple cameras. For example, in the PHOTO SHOOTING Menu, the primary and secondary slot selection menus use different naming on Z8 & Z9 because of mismatched slots; can’t we conform wording no matter what the slot configuration is? In the PLAYBACK Menu, the Z6III lacks Auto series playback options. There is non-conformity across Z9 generation bodies that needs resolving.
49. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add Use selected aperture above f/5.6. This is a corollary to the previous item, which would allow accurate focusing for lenses with focus shift above f/5.6. 
50. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add Rate to the playback 𝒾-button Manage series menu.
51. Z9 Generation — (add new) In playback, if a button (say Fn1) is assigned to Rating, then pressing 𝒾-button and then Fn1 would rate the whole series that the current photo is part of (if any). Ditto if some button is programmed for Select for upload, Protect, or Delete. Rationale: when you take many bursts in fast-action settings, you want to be able to quickly scroll back and rate whole bursts via quick button presses.
52. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add focal length in mm to the shooting/video display, controlled by Custom viewfinder/monitor shooting display. Currently this shown just for power zoom lens, but would be useful for manual zoom lens too.
53. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add the FITS file format. Astrophotographers have for a long time had an issue with Nikon cameras: RAW files. It’s not the format as such, but that there are factors baked into the RAW files which are strongly detrimental to astrophotography. Ideally, there would be nothing but the original sensor output data, encoded into a FITS file (FITS is the standard astrophotography file).
54. Z9 Generation — (add new) Create an NX Settings program, where on connection of camera to computer, you can get a full (printable or comma delimited) listing of all current camera settings. Would also be nice if we had the ability to directly change settings when connected. 
55. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add Focus point display > Color blindness adjustment. About 8-10% of the population has a problem with red focus squares. 
56. Z9 Generation — (fix) When Auto ISO is active in Pre-release capture, minimum shutter speed is currently ignored. (This is because the image sensor is in a video mode for pre-release, and Nikon didn't add minimum shutter speed to video Auto ISO.)
57. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add any Pre-release capture capability that supports raw files, even if at a slower frame rate (e.g. <15) or requiring High efficiency compression. 
58. Z9 Generation — (add new) For gridlines add DX, 5:4, 4:3, 2:1, 7:6, 9:16, 21:9. Yes, gridlines that show some of these were improvements, but still require post production to complete. Also: add Centerline grid, which provides just a centered horizontal and vertical line (crosshair). 
59. Z9 Generation — (add new) In the PHOTO SHOOTING menu add a Save/load photo shooting menu option. In Reset photo shooting menu, then add Yes, from saved options. Do the same for VIDEO RECORDING menu. Do the same for the CUSTOM SETTINGS menu. 
60. Z9 Generation — (simplify) Storage folder and File naming should be grouped in Storage, with sub-options Rename folder, Select folder, Rename files. One might argue that File numbering sequence should go here, too.
61. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add BT.2100 to Color space. It's there, but only shows up when HEIF is selected. Should really be shown but grayed out in Tone mode of SDR.
62. Z9 Generation — (simplify) Make a new Flicker reduction group, with Release with Frequency Detection and Tune Shutter for High-frequency options.
63. Z9 Generation — (simplify) Create a new group for Lens corrections (Vignette, Diffraction, Distortion), and a similar group for Flash (Control, Mode, Compensation).
64. Z9 Generation — (simplify) Consider grouping multi-image sequences (e.g. Auto bracketing, Multiple exposure, HDR overlay, Interval timer shooting, Time-Lapse video, Focus shift shooting, Pixel shift shooting). Or consider moving these to a separate menu entirely. 
65. Z9 Generation — (simplify) Consider grouping audio items in the video menu (Microphone sensitivity, Attenuator, Frequency response, Wind noise reduction).
66. Z9 Generation — (simplify) Group all the SETUP menu things that save settings (Save user settings, Reset user settings, Save/load menu settings).
67. Z9 Generation — (add new) For Save/load menu settings, add the ability to create multiple named settings files. 
68. Z9 Generation — (simplify) In the SETUP menu, group the viewfinder and monitor settings. There’s potentially a third category, which is Both displays (e.g. Limit monitor mode selection, etc.).
69. Z9 Generation — (simplify) Add a Save position group, with sub-options for Focus, Zoom. It's possible that other things might be added to this in the future (wink, wink).
70. Z9 Generation — (simplify) Group EXIF data writing components (IPTC, Copyright information, Image comment).
71. Z9 Generation — (simplify) Remove Tone mode. This also requires changing Image quality. Image quality should only have NEF(RAW), HEIF, JPEG, NEF(RAW)+HEIF, and NEF(RAW)+JPEG. This also requires RAW recording to become Compression choices, which has sub-options for RAW recording and HEIF/JPEG compression. This simplifies intent, and reduces menu sprawling. (Set Picture Control will then have limited choices when HEIF is set, not a separate menu item for HEIF Picture Controls. I suspect Nikon did things the way they did so that they would be “remembered.” But that should have been done by a bit more programming, not forcing users to do the work.)
72. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add Maximum shutter speed to VR options (VR turned off automatically when shutter speed is set above that).
73. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add Instant Release mode change capability to button programmability. Allow a button to be programmed to a specific frame rate. Useful when the camera is set to a continuous mode, but you want to take a single image.
74. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add AF/MF subject detection options to button customization. Simple option: toggle between last specific setting and Off; more complex option: Cycle Subject detection options.
75. Z9 Generation — (add missing) Add Zebras while camera is set to take still photos.
76. Z9 Generation — (add missing) Add File naming > Use Long names > [entry]. The world has long passed the 8.3 file name limitations. Since DCF dictates 8.3, these names would be new EXIF data that could be picked up by ingesting programs, such as Nikon Transfer, Photo Mechanic, and Adobe Lightroom. As part of this, allow more (user definable?) digits for file number.
77. Z9 Generation — (restore) Add the ability in Multiple exposure to create a composite RAW image (DSLRs allowed this for years).
78. Z9 Generation — (add missing) Add Over > MTR > under to Bracketing order. The rationale behind this has to do with night photography (astrophotography, auroras, etc.), where it might be difficult to see the first image in a sequence when it's at MTR or Under.
79. Z9 Generation — (restore) Put the word Highlights back on the display page for highlights! If you don't see blinking, you don't know which page you're on (unless you're really anal and have studied each of the display variations for subtle clues). 
80. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add the ability to preview the RED LUTs when using N-Log. 
81. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add VR type (Normal, Sport) to Recall shooting function.
82. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add ability to instantly switch camera from its current Release mode to a pre-chosen Pre-release capture setting via button (#F2). In general, there are a lot of requests that all have a similar theme: the user is photographing something relatively stationary and has set the camera one way, but now there's action they need to deal with and they want the camera set a different way (and vice versa). Recall shooting function doesn't completely deal with this. 
83. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add a forced Save menu settings prior to a firmware update, along with a Load menu settings after the update has installed.
84. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add option Start as a #F2 button customization for the multiple image settings (Interval timer shooting, Time-lapse video, Focus shift shooting, and Pixel shift shooting.
85. Z9 Generation — (add new) Allow Pinpoint AF in AF-C, which triggers an immediate Focus mode switch to AF-S. That way you don't have to set two things. A related request: a button customization to override Focus mode/AF-area mode to Pinpoint AF and AF-S on a temporary basis (e.g. Pinpoint focus only). 
86. Z9 Generation — (add new) Allow magnification (zoom) during Depth of Field Preview.
87. Z9 Generation — (add new) Consider adding Release mode to PHOTO SHOOTING menu so that it is stored in banks. Other changes to settings suggested elsewhere may remove the need for this, though. 
88. Z9 Generation — (change) Make Exposure delay only apply when Release mode is set to Single. It's antithetical to the way almost everyone uses continuous modes. Perhaps there's a couple of other options here (Only applies to first frame versus Never applies to continuous Release modes). 
89. Z9 Generation — (change) For Maximum shots per burst make it so that there are separate settings for CL versus CH. 
90. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add Shutter speed bracketing. Use Auto ISO to keep exposure constant, but vary shutter speeds used. This is applicable to photographing water, for instance, where the exact shutter speed is often determined by trial and error.
91. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add the following to the Control ring functions: Shutter speed, Flash exposure compensation, Focus tracking speed, and AF-area mode. 
92. Z9 Generation — (change) Allow separate gridline selections based upon horizontal and vertical camera position.
93. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add 3D-tracking (hold) as an AF-area mode. This means when you press the button (shutter release/AF-ON) to focus, the camera locks onto the subject and stays tracking focus on it even if you release the button.
94. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add a button customization of Set hyperfocal distance only. This overrides focusing system as long as held.
95. Z9 Generation — (add new) Allow a still image to be taken while recording video, even if that image is an H.265 derived frame rendering (e.g. HEIF). 
96. Z9 Generation — (add new) Actually return the missing Lock image orientation we had with DSLRs. 
97. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add Delete focus stack series. If you messed up the start or end point, you might want to delete all the taken images and try again.
98. Z9 Generation — (change) Focus stack shooting should be simplified to (1) focus on near point, (2) focus on far point, and (3) select number of images.
99. Z9 Generation — (change) Allow user to pick multiple grids simultaneously (e.g. 1:1 and 16:9). 
100. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add Cycle gridlines.
101. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add additional possible customizations to the OK button. If you're going to move it off its default use, might as well make it more flexible.
102. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add +JPEG. Similar to +RAW, but the other direction. Perhaps this can be Add JPEG or RAW as a single entry (i.e. add the option you're not using for the next image).
103. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add ISO dial extension to CSM #F2 Command dial. When ISO button pressed with Auto ISO active, Rear Command dial would then be Minimum shutter speed, and Front Command dial would be Maximum sensitivity.
104. Z9 Generation — (restore) Use of map to set time zone (touch sensitive). 
105. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add Auto to Daylight saving time.
106. Z9 Generation — (add new) Change Date format to Date and time format and add 24/12 hour time display option.
107. Z9 Generation — (add new) Add Unicode characters to text entry screens.
108. Z9 Generation — (restore) Some items (e.g. AF-ON only) are still missing > indicators to show that additional options may be set.
109. Z9 Generation — (change) Change Release timing indicator to Briefly darken, Lines at all edges, Lines at left/right edges.
110. Z9 Generation — (change) Change Virtual horizon type to Centered lines, Border indicators
111. Z9 Generation (dual slot) — (add) Add Synchronize to Copy images. 
112. Z9 Generation (add new) — Add Subject priority exposure. This is actually an extension/improvement of Matrix metering face detection.
113. Z9 Generation (add new) — In conjunction with raw histogram ability added to the camera, add Expose to the right exposure choice. Probably an extension of previous item.
114. Z9 Generation (change) — Change camera behavior on power off. Don't reset anything unless user has selected new Cancel exposure changes item (default: Restore exposure changes). I noted earlier that "Save Position" was going to get extended. This is one of the extensions.
115. Z9 Generation (add missing) — Add Power on time indicator to Battery info. Measures minutes camera has been on. As I've noted, CIPA battery values are really a proxy for minutes: just divide by two (as CIPA requires camera to be constantly on and take two images a minute). 
116. Z9 Generation (add missing) — Add a new Customizations page to Display page options that shows what button customizations were pressed (in action) when photo was taken.
117. Z9 Generation (change) — Half press of shutter release cancels image magnification.
118. Z9 Generation (restore) — Restore Aperture setting function to Command dials (the move from Customize command dials to Command dials being a sub-function of CSM #F2 lost some abilities; this one is key for Zf users).
119. Z9 Generation (add new) — Add a sound notification when video recording is stopped by camera (high temperature, file size, out of space, out of power).
120. Z9 Generation (change) — When in Manual exposure mode, use the shutter speed that was set as the minimum shutter speed when Auto ISO is active.
121. Z9 Generation (change) — Allow flash at faster than 1 second when using Focus shift shooting. This seems to be an arbitrary decision as this isn't enforced elsewhere. Insect macro photography relies on fast flash, and OMDS and Sony allow faster flash in focus stacks. Potential loss of customer.
122. Z9 Generation (change) — When you create a network profile of any sort, a text file is placed on the card, and the username and password are stored in that file unencrypted. This is a security risk. Any username/password should be encrypted.
123. Z9 Generation (simplification) — PHOTO SHOOTING and VIDEO RECORDING should be contextual. By this I mean that this is the first menu shown in the menu list when the camera is set to stills (PHOTO SHOOTING) or video (VIDEO RECORDING). Not only does this simplify, it also acts as a warning; it's easy to move the still/video switch without noticing; the menu redaction will tell you immediately that you're not in the mode you wish to be. Implicit within this request is that SHOOTING banks would be separated, too. 
124. Z9 Generation (change) — Add ability for Virtual horizon indicators to work when camera pointed down (i.e. provide a new mode that establishes when camera is pointed perfectly down.
125. Z9 Generation (change) — Shooting menu bank should allow both Command dials (Front for Custom Setting bank and Back for Shooting menu bank. Rename function to Change menu banks.
126. Z9 Generation (fix) — Release mode is dealt with inconsistently among various cameras in terms of U# (user settings) and banks. Some respect it, some don't.

Okay, here's where you come in. I'm sure you have your own thoughts on this. Before I try to put this list high on Nikon Tokyo's attention, I want to make sure it's relatively complete. So if you have your own thoughts here, send them to me via email in the following form: [camera], [type of change], [change], and if you have time, the reason the change is necessary (this will become important later in my plan to get Tokyo's attention ;~). Note that I'm talking about firmware type changes here, not hardware ones. Hardware starts to trigger new models, and that's not our goal at the moment. What we really want to define is "the perfect Z9 generation camera." Any future generation of cameras should pick up on and inherit that.

Once I have your inputs, I'm move forward with the rest of my plan, and let you know what you can do next to help. Don't worry if you don't have anything specific you want to see addressed beyond what I've presented; you'll have your chance to add your voice on all the proposed changes later in the process. Again, my goal at the moment is to just get a well-informed, tight, clear list of firmware changes that would drive the existing users into nirvana. Well, at least photographic nirvana.