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Nikon D5100 Want Bigger Files?

I’ve just updated the online patch tool to v1.4 which brings two picture related changes:

  • Uncompressed NEF files, 33MB every timer verse 14-22MB (lossy compressed)
  • Jpeg Quality, up to 12MB verse up to 9MB

The D7000 already has these as menu options, albeit the NEF files are compressed in a lossless format, so are generally 22MB.

Now we just need someone to doing some “real” testing to workout if it’s worth it.

Interested in more, come join the us at Nikon Hacker, or use the Online Patch Tool (Help)

Comments:

rcchong 2012-05-21 07:39:52

really nice to see things are working forward,
I watch your blog every day!
just want to drop a few lines and say:
keep it going man!

Moshe 2012-05-21 09:33:14

Just wanted to thank you for all your great work.
You are the only one helping us get more out of our cameras or at least giving us the feature’s of our cameras locked just so “they” can make a little more money off selling “better” equipment.
Cant wait to try the new feature’s.
Don’t think the link has been update yet since It only gives me the option to remove time limit but don’t mind patiently waiting.

ydaniels 2012-05-21 15:24:54

Thanks Simeon! Great job! You guys rock indeed! Way to go!

Biby 2012-05-23 08:26:43

Will these changes be available for the D3100 in the future?

Simeon 2012-05-23 08:51:30

From me, most likely no.

t800 2012-05-24 02:28:13

hmmm i cant get the 1.4 to work.
If i select the firmware version with the first button the menu expands and then covers the second button to download the firmware ?
am i doing it wrong ?

Simeon 2012-05-24 09:46:30

The only thing I could imagine is you browser height is not large enough. Make the window bigger.

Gian 2012-05-25 03:14:00

Congratulation for your great work!
I would like to ask you a couople of things:
do you have planned to abandon the developent of the software for D3100 or is it only for this feature?
Personally the thing that I would love to see in D3100 are:
-bracketing
-strobo flash

Simeon 2012-05-25 08:28:52

There are no “plans”, but I personally own a D5100, so am most motivated to play with that, and I can then test my changes.

From a bigger picture standpoint, the team is working hard to get the emulator working. Targeting the D5100 as that’s what I’d made the most progress on. But any gains in understanding should be across the board.

So the D3100 is not out, it’s just not anybody’s primary focus.

Eduard 2012-05-26 15:24:51

Correct me if I wrong.
Does using this fix will make camera shoot faster?
I mean if there is no delay for the compression there is last delay between the photos.

Simeon 2012-05-26 15:42:55

Short answer: your logic is wrong.

Long answer: If the camera was constrained to 4FPS because of total processing overhead (some of which is compression), then removing the compression would improve the frame rate by some fractional amount, as long as the overhead of writing the larger files was not greater than the overhead saved by avoid compression.

However, no manufacturer would ship a device that relied on luck to meet performance specifications. So the FPS will be controlled via timers (hardware/software).

So given that the software buffers frames, this patch may actually decrease the number of pictures that can be taken in the 4 FPS burst, due to greater file IO requirements.

sorin 2012-05-26 20:58:24

Many thanks Simeon I follow your work from the moment of you discovered the encryption algorithm of nikon firmware, and eagerly wait for new goodies to make our camera better.
I installed the patch with movie time limit removed and jpg hi quality…it is not a easy to spot increase in quality of pictures (from my tests) but I think it is better to have more information in jpg then less…it is worth to study if the bigger files impending in any way the shooting speed like u says. The patched firmware is working ok.

Dilom 2012-05-27 15:20:37

Thanks for the update!Good work with the d5100.I know that you probably hate that question, but do you plan update for manual controls during video?

sorin 2012-05-27 17:07:42

Some ago I noticed something strange about the buffer memory space displayed in viewfinder (that needed for multiple shooting) with kit lens 18-55 the buffer show “r07” and with the tamron lens (17-55 2.8 or 18-270) it is read “r16”…I d’0nt understand why..how the lens could influence the buffer memory… with your patched firmware with increased only the jpg quality the buffer read “r13” but this in all the situation even with the kit lens. This is strange, not the decrease in number of pictures that is expected because larger jpg size, but in readings… the difference between kit lens and tamron disappearing.
What do you thing Simeon? Any thought?

Simeon 2012-05-27 17:15:28

I imagine you mixing memories of the maybe the kit and raw+jpeg, with the tamron and just jpg.

I know I get different “buffer shoots” values for raw vs. raw +jpeg vs. jpeg only.

sorin 2012-05-27 17:25:04

Nop, I tested right now, same settings nothing changed between lens… jpg large and fine on all the lens…just switched lens one after other…This is why I say that is strange but with your patched version of firmware all read the same r13 opossed of r16 and r07 with kit lens with original firmware.

sorin 2012-05-27 17:27:07

And the card is unchanged an kingston 8gb class 6 sdhc…on my d5100

by the way what rxx is reading on yours d5100? on jpg large and fine?
Tx!

Simeon 2012-05-27 17:35:02

Your testing does not invalid my point. As I have never seen such “odd-ness” I am inclined to suspect user error (you), with “recalling” old situations. But it does not really matter, as under controlled testing, it all work “good”.

sorin 2012-05-27 17:50:17

It is not user error, because I have now on front of me all the lens, and I just switched them and checked every settings (to eliminate the possibility that changing lens will change settings on camera that is impossible besides aperture but to be sure).
In some way I think that the camera recognize the lens (that for sure) and estimate on different modes for nikkor lens and for other lens…but with patched firmware something is changing beyond only an jpg quality increase…that is my supposition and the camera interpret all lens the same…now I am with the original firmware but if u have installed the patched one will worth to tray to see if the automatic distortion control it is still functioning with nikkor lens(this function relying on original lens being used).
Tx!

sorin 2012-05-27 18:53:55

Yeah I could just confirm…it is because “automatic distortion control” with it the d5100 will read on kit lens r7 with it disabled will read r16(maybe because additional space-power to correct the distortion) same as for tamron because default is off for tamron being an undocumented lens in body for automatic distortion control and that make me think that with patched firmware the function is disabled even for nikkor lens because the body will not recognize them.

sorin 2012-05-27 19:05:43

Or maybe with patched firmware I was off with the automatic distortion correction in body that mean the firmware is changing only the quality of jpg …my mistake …but all for good because now I solved the mister with that “r” :))

Simeon 2012-05-27 20:02:40

Sounds like the mystery is solved. Very good.

Simeon 2012-05-27 20:49:57

To very honest, plan is there is no plan. I’m chasing down a couple of little features, like the uncompressed NEF in nature, while trying to understand how the settings system works.

The time frame where I would expect to see manual controls, is once we have the code reversed to a source like level, and more than likely have the emulator working(tm). Of which nether is as close as people may hope.

Weilgee 2012-05-29 00:03:09

If ever, are we going to see manual control of shutter speed, aperture, etc for the d3100/5100 thanks

Simeon 2012-05-29 01:01:34

We already have full manual control… Oh you mean for video… It’s not on my radar presently. But I’m not the only coder in the world…

sorin 2012-05-30 05:00:11

It il we be good to have at least an iso control on movie mode…
And what I consider very desirable is an auto-focus micro adjustment…because for the past 6 month i struggle with service to calibrate my tamron lens :D

STA 2012-05-31 15:09:25

Please D7000 ok buttom zoom to 100%.

Simeon 2012-05-31 15:12:57

This has been requested over here already.

Chrissy 2012-06-02 07:18:08

Is the online patch tool to v1.4 only with fee ?

Simeon 2012-06-02 09:15:38

No it’s 100% free.

Are you having trouble making it work?

Chrissy 2012-06-02 13:58:10

The trouble is when I start the patch tool with IE 9 I can see both bottons (“Select Firmware File” and “Save Patched Firmware File”).
Then I open the firmware file and I see the three options but the button “Save Patched Firmware File” has gone !
I have already installed the newest IE and the Microsoft Silver Light 5.1 !

Simeon 2012-06-02 14:20:58

Hmm I think it be the size (height) of your browser. I’ll try some changes in a few hours….

Chrissy 2012-06-03 01:31:10

Finaly it runs !
But only with google chrome.
I tried IE 9 (32bit) and (64bit), Firefox 12 all the browsers didn´t works !
Anyway, thanks a lot for your work !!!

Simeon 2012-06-03 08:37:47

Hmmm, that might be because I’ve only tested it in Chrome…

Just tested IE8, 64bit, and it was happy.

François Pirault 2012-06-03 10:04:35

Just a word about your radar, Simeon… Automatic video is the worst thing about the D5100! The coder who will find how to make manual videos and how to show audio rec level (as Magic lantern do) will have many many ma-ny friends all around the world.

François Pirault 2012-06-03 10:15:48

Hello Simeon,

About the D5100 patch. I have got a mac with Firefox, remember, few weeks ago I send you a mail telling that I saw nothing on the “download patch page”. I made the silverlight updat and it was the same. Finally, I opened the page with Safari and “Hurray!”.
So, now I can give my view about the patch. Two things:
First: The video is now 24’18” and works good (automatic….). Perfect.
Second: problem with the image quality: With classic firmware you have Nef+jpeg settings, Nef setting, Jpeg settings. With yours, there is only the NEF and Jpeg settings. The NEF+jpeg settings have turn in grey and it’s impossible to choose it.
Hope that it helps you develloping your system. Thanks.

Simeon 2012-06-03 15:09:42

Hi François,

Yes, someone else mentioned the image menu. Strangely I’ve never used that menu, and only chose image type, via the info screen. Much faster. Also it’s not limited there…

Blagoja D. 2012-06-04 19:07:40

You can select Raw + Jpeg, but not from the menu. Just use the Info button, and select it from the info - quick setting menu - that appears, the one that lists WB, ISO, aperture – you can select and change to Jpeg+Raw from there.

Hope it helps, I found this solution up above in the comments.

Elliot Gonzalez 2012-06-05 19:36:53

Hi Simeon,
Im having problems with the patch tool. In Mozilla nothing shows up, in IE I get all the way up to selecting features but there is no save button

Chrissy 2012-06-06 10:00:44

I had the same problems but it works with google chrome !

lukasz 2012-06-09 03:16:24

thank you for your effort :) and congratulations

ydaniels 2012-06-11 12:47:59

I agree. Manual video controls in M mode is a must in D5100/D3100. That’s the only thing I’m looking forward to.

Thank you for all your work!

Drew 2012-06-23 16:43:30

I would love to see my D7000 be able to record JPG L files to one card and JPG S files to another. Do you think this is possible?

Max 2012-06-25 01:23:21

I agree. This camera was marketed as a Hi-Def video DSLR with a microphone jack. At that time, it was the only one that offered those two features in the DSLR family at a reasonable price. I never dreamed that the manual control would be partial; there has never been a video camera maker that has mislabeled a function as such. I spent everything I could at the time with my financial window of opportunity and got burned. I will not have that much saved again for an upgrade. I’m sure there are many that bought the D5100 for the microphone jack combined with a HD vid capability, please reconsider changing that limitation. It is the most talked about and controversial aspect of the D5100’s properties.

As for those that need a temporary restraint on the ISO. Here is a link that helped me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9lx7Hj6dzY&feature=related

Simeon 2012-06-25 08:34:14

Thanks for the video post. Very thought provoking.

Thomas 2012-06-26 00:35:41

@Simeon: Is it possible to have a table or a complete list with all features that can be changed with the online patch tool at https://simeonpilgrim.com/nikon-patch/nikon-patch.html

Simeon 2012-06-26 07:48:28

Good question/idea. Will do something soon.

Al3e 2012-07-06 01:14:12

you do an awesome work.i check your blog daily to see if there is an update.by the way what i request is just to do something about the buttons.i want the fn button function on the info button which lights up the lcd and that button on the fn button..i dont kno much about this emulator thing but it might be easier than others requests…

Alexandr 2012-07-24 07:08:36

Simeon, how to reverse firmware from patched to original? Download clear original firmware, put .bin-file to SD card, and update? Yes?

Simeon 2012-07-24 07:35:42

Yes. Just install normal firmware from Nikon.

Chris N 2012-07-26 08:42:43

Do you think it’s possible to implement high speed sync on the d5100? I love the camera but it is probably the single biggest limitation when trying to take portraits with fill flash on sunny days, faffing about with ND filters gets really boring!

olsuse 2012-07-31 13:13:26

I love the uncompressed NEF files feature!
Thanks you Simeon!

Chriss 2012-08-13 17:15:20

Simeon please can u look up onto the manual setting in d5100? the d3200 has it but:( our d5100 doesnt:( can u do sth? i am willing to donate just for you to achieve this video hack. please there are alot of people out there that want manual settings on d5100:(

Kaede 2012-11-11 18:22:17

change de frames per seconds please fps please

Emanuele Costantini 2012-11-13 17:19:42

Hello,

I would like to know if the patch enables metering with old lenses.

Thanks!

Simeon 2012-11-13 17:20:46

No it does not.

Emanuele Costantini 2012-11-15 06:04:21

Thanks for your answer.
I managed to install the patch and there is a weird behaviour.
I’m opening my raw files with Gimp. During the opening a message pops up:
name.NEF: corrupt data near 0x20116a0
once clicked OK it shows the picture with a red stripe on the right and a smaller blur one on the bottom.
My girlfriend tried to open it with View NX2 and everything is fine.

Emanuele Costantini 2012-11-21 13:55:45

Same behaviour with RawTherapee but it won’t open the file.