Nikon firmware WTF

[RobSaecker]

I got a used D600 that didn’t have the latest firmware on it. So that should be an easy fix, right? Check out the screen shot below...

WTF? Is this because I’m running as non-admin user? Because I’m running the newest OS? The latter, as it turns out, but there’s no clue what the problem is from that incomplete message, and there are none in the logs. And, why the hell is Nikon using a *2.6 MB* installer in order to put a *32 KB* .bin file in a folder on the desktop? Just to make you click yes on the EULA agreement? If that’s the case they could just as easily make it a required click-through on the website. If not, I don’t even know what to think, but whoever is in charge of this stuff at Nikon needs to be put in charge of something they’re more qualified for. Cleaning cat boxes, maybe.

[E.J. Peiker]

Are you running El Capitan?  Nothing from Nikon fully supports that OS.  If you can, try it on a computer with an earlier OS or a Windows computer.

[RobSaecker]

Yes, I’m running El Cap, and I thought it was clear that I’d already discovered that that was the cause of the problem. I happen to have an external drive with Mavericks on it, and it worked fine on that, but that’s beside the point. The point is, there isn’t any reason for Nikon to be using an installer for firmware updates. There isn’t anything installed on the computer, it’s simply a conduit to get the firmware updater onto an SD card (and it doesn’t even do that right). They could easily put that .bin file all by itself on a webpage, and then they’d never have to worry about what OS or OS version someone was using, it’d work regardless.

[E.J. Peiker]

Yes, I’m running El Cap, and I thought it was clear that I’d already discovered that that was the cause of the problem. I happen to have an external drive with Mavericks on it, and it worked fine on that, but that’s beside the point. The point is, there isn’t any reason for Nikon to be using an installer for firmware updates. There isn’t anything installed on the computer, it’s simply a conduit to get the firmware updater onto an SD card (and it doesn’t even do that right). They could easily put that .bin file all by itself on a webpage, and then they’d never have to worry about what OS or OS version someone was using, it’d work regardless.

No that wasn't clear at all to me from what you wrote since you were asking questions about administrator rights!  In any case, your anger should be towards Nikon not towards those trying to help you after you ask a question.  Nikon is, has been, and probably always will be a horrible software developer.  If you think the Nikon FW update process is bad, try Sony and be truly horrified!  It's actually the case for most camera companies that they are just plain bad at software.

Here is an interesting recent article related to the subject from Thom Hogan:
http://www.dslrbodies.com/accessories/software-for-nikon-dslrs/software-news/nikon-publishes-bad-self.html

[RobSaecker]

No that wasn't clear at all to me from what you wrote since you were asking questions about administrator rights!  In any case, your anger should be towards Nikon not towards those trying to help you after you ask a question.

My apologies; my anger is at Nikon, I'm sorry it came across as being directed at you.

[E.J. Peiker]

Thanks Rob