In a press release today, Nikon announced that the upcoming RAW video feature on the Z6 and Z7 will not work without a hardware update performed at a Nikon service center, including a service fee. The company also released dedicated lookup tables (LUTs) for the Z6 and Z7 when shooting N-log video over HDMI.
Neither of these announcements apply to regular stills shooters who use the Nikon Z6 and Z7, or even to typical video shooters. Both RAW video and N-log video require you to output via HDMI to a device like the Ninja V recorder in order to function.
That said, one of the big selling points of the Z cameras is their highly impressive set of video specifications. 10-bit N-log output over HDMI is already remarkable for a sub-$2000 full-frame camera. 12-bit RAW video will take that a step further when it arrives later this year. (Nikon has yet to announce the specific date.)
The only real surprise in this announcement is that the RAW video update is not going to be a free firmware update, but instead a paid hardware adjustment that requires servicing at a Nikon center. Before this – though they never stated anything outright – Nikon made no mention that the RAW video feature would be different from any other firmware update.
In fact, Nikon even demonstrated its RAW video feature at NAB in Las Vegas back in April, according to their own press release at the time. They made no mention of a paid hardware adjustment in April, nor when they first announced the feature’s development in February.
Personally, I’m not disappointed that Nikon recognized the need for hardware tweaks to implement the Z6 and Z7 RAW video. Anyone who needs this feature, I’m sure, won’t be stopped by a service fee (though we don’t yet know what the exact cost will be). Other camera companies already make you pay to download some of their firmware updates online, and luckily Nikon is not doing that for now.
That said, if you’ve been waiting with wide eyes for RAW video on the Z cameras, the news that you’ll need to send off your camera and spend a bit of money might put a damper on your spirits. Hopefully the new LUTs make up for it to some degree. You can download the LUTs here for both the Z6 and Z7.
Press Release
Nikon Z Series Adds More Capability For Pro Video and Production With The Dedicated 3D LUT For N-Log
Additional Details Announced for Upcoming RAW Video Output Update
MELVILLE, NY – Today, Nikon has introduced a dedicated LUT (lookup table) for users of the N-Log feature on the Nikon Z 7 and Z 6 cameras, allowing greater creative control in post-production. Further adding to the Z series’ capabilities for professional and advanced video creators, a new update will also be released later this year for the Z series cameras, which will enable the support of RAW video output from the camera when using a compatible ATOMOS Ninja V digital recorder.N-Log and LUT: Next Level Control in Post
While Nikon’s legacy in color science delivers an appealing palette and tones, this free upgrade takes color control to the next level. For even more flexibility, the dedicated LUT available for Nikon’s N-Log is compatible with the Rec. 709 color space and is available in several versions, allowing users to easily apply different looks to their content. This 3D LUT is a preset of RGB color values, used to transform the appearance of video footage in post-production color grading, and enables adjustment of brightness, saturation and hue. The Nikon Z 7 and Z 6’s N-Log HDMI output is optimized for 10-bit recording, bringing out the image sensor’s full dynamic range. It records rich gradation information in highlights and shadows to allow for more flexible color grading.
To download the LUT free of charge, please visit the following links:
- For Nikon Z 7 users, click here to download
- For Nikon Z 6 users, click here to download
Support for RAW video output
Scheduled to arrive later this year, the output RAW data stream will enable recording in ProRes RAW video format on the Ninja V 4K HDR monitor/recorder made by ATOMOS, Nikon’s collaborator in developing RAW video output technology. RAW video files provide the richest information, just like still image RAW data. By bringing even more flexibility to post-production color grading, RAW video output support firmly places the Nikon Z series as an affordable contender for professional-level production and filmmaking of any scale. This feature will require an additional internal upgrade that will need to be performed at a local Nikon service center, which will incur a service charge.
For more information about ProRes RAW and the advanced video capabilities of the Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras, please visit www.nikonusa.com.
About Nikon
Nikon Inc. is a world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo and video capture technologies; globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for an award-winning array of equipment that enable visual storytelling and content creation. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories, Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras and Nikon software products, as well as the revolutionary Nikon Z series of mirrorless cameras and NIKKOR Z lenses, which achieve a new dimension in optical performance. In 2018, Nikon Corporation, the parent company of Nikon Inc., announced the production of 110 million NIKKOR lenses, creating a new milestone in Nikon’s heritage of superior optics. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers and visual storytellers to the Web’s most comprehensive learning and sharing communities. Connect with Nikon on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Vimeo, and Flickr.
Never again with Nikon. Happy with my Fuji System.
I don’t understand the angst people feel when a company announces that they can make the product they bought willingly 6 months (or longer) ago, can be made even better with an add on modification. That modification costs the company money but for some reason there are those who think they should get it for nothing.
The companies could just as easily hold off on the release until the next new model is introduced. And jump the price of that.
I personally like the idea of a lease program for my hardware with auto upgrades. My using 5 or 6 year old gear would be a thing of the past
I tend to agree. I didn’t recall that the promise of a future upgrade was a selling point of the Z series.
Of course if it was, then it would be a huge issue. As if they asked us to pay for they XQD upgrade: I bought my D850 after the announcement, with Nikon just stating they would update it and based on past behavior, any consumer could have rightly assumed it will be free.
But here, not the same story in my opinion: I bought a camera, Nikon says « ok, now if you want we can tune it to be better but you’ll need to pay »… well, it’s fair game.
Unless new Z6 and Z7 come with the update as standard and the same price.
As an old style photographer many things about LUT”s and their usage are unclear. Maybe an idea for a new article with explanation? I hope so:)
I first saw this news on other site and one poster said that Red owns the patents on Raw video codecs and that Nikon has to pay Red for any patent licensing rights use. The hardware upgrade is necessary to enable the feature after paying for licensing rights.
I’m not a videographer but I would say that this paid upgrade is worthy upgrade if you want better video quality.
Interesting stuff, thanks, Hidetoshi. I personally don’t mind the paid upgrade and may send my own camera out to get this modification.
Soon we will be on a subscription fee (i.e leasing) for our hardware the same way we pay for software. Good or bad?
Traditionally, the auto industry has had the option to lease. Normally for 2-3 years, there are restrictions to how many miles they can be driven. Then the car would be outright purchased as a used vehicle. My current car was previously leased.
But the car companies always have the option to buy or lease a new car. It really depends on the needs of the customer.
Apple has their iPhone Update program where one basically does the same thing, lease an iPhone for a year and then automatically upgrade to the latest model the following year. Again, depends on the needs of the customer.
Will camera companies provide a leasing model like this? Depends on the customer. Are there enough photographers that need the latest and greatest features and are willing to pay the premium to upgrade annually? Do year to year tech advances make it worth the price?
Perhaps camera companies will try this model as an option, but I don’t see it becoming the only way to purchase.
Motti, things are definitely moving in that direction. A few high-end camera companies today already rely heavily on rentals, especially in the video world. Even the backdrop company Oliphant almost entirely runs on a rental business.
Will that continue to more consumer-oriented hardware from Nikon or Canon? Unclear, but my guess is that we’ll see something resembling it before long. Certainly, the software world has proven it to be a highly profitable business model (though, of course, hardware is a different beast altogether).