How to update your Lumix Lens Firmware in 2022

[@davidhagner661]

Thank you, Marlene, I got my G9 and two of my lenses updated. Your videos are so very useful and helpful. Thank you for all the work you are doing. We all appreciate it.

[@ImageMaven]

Thanks for saying this David. It’s helps on those days I wanna quit KZbin.

[@DaveandGinny972]

Good to have a reminder of how to do updates as whenever they arrive I seem to have a mild ‘panic attack’. Thanks Marlene.

[@ImageMaven]

Hopefully your anxiety will disappear soon. 😊

[@budsester]

Thanks for keeping the G9 community aware of new details!

[@ImageMaven]

You bet! Cheers!

[@ericflatman9565]

Thanks Marlene, used your vid to update my 12-60 and 100-400 leica lenses to version 1.5 with no trouble. keep up the good work.

[@ImageMaven]

Great to hear! And that reminds me, I have to do it too!

[@jimludwick]

I continually go back and watch your videos again. Glad to buy more coffee,.

[@ImageMaven]

This is so nice to hear. Made my day. Thank you for the coffees Jim!

[@ksgtokgo]

Thank you, Marlene. With your help I updated three lenses and my G9. I had not realized updates were available.

[@ImageMaven]

Hi Kathy, Yes there are updates quite regularly these days, especially for the G9. That's a good thing. Means we're getting more features and tune ups on existing ones.

[@jettysplash]

Thank you Marlene 🙂 Tried out my bird autofocus today, too. Caught a great photo of a perched Northern Cardinal that never sits still long enough for manual focus. I don't think I could have done better. Thumbs up.

[@ImageMaven]

Wonderful! Yes, smaller birds are really hard to capture with MF, especially with a longer lens. Thanks for letting me know!

[@orangejjay]

Hey! Thanks for posting this. I'm just getting back in to photography after a ten+ year break. Got a GH5 and L O V E it. This whole concept of firmware upgrades for LENSES is wild to me but it's been cool to see how the lens upgrades actually make them better. It's incredible what features are available today compared to ten, twenty, and thirty years ago (and at perfect price points too!). Thanks again for sharing! ❤

[@ImageMaven]

Great to hear you’re back into photography. I agree lens firmware is a strange concept. There’s a lot of technology to keep up with and sometimes I lose sight of the art of photography. So a photowalk helps me get into the zone. Enjoy getting to know your new gear!

[@brucegraner5901]

I find your videos a valuable resource. Thanks for all you do.

[@ImageMaven]

Glad you like them! Thank you for letting me know Bruce. :)

[@maups2]

Thanks. I was a bit disappointed that my 14-140mm didn't have a firmware update, but my 100-300mm did. Hope they add manual focus for this lens in the future

[@ImageMaven]

Ya, that lens is pretty old by now. Some of my older lenses didn't get updated either. Which lens do you want manual focus for?

[@maups2]

@@ImageMaven its the H-FSA14140, apparently it was first available April 5, 2019 so I dunno. Maybe the lens construction just isn't set up for it?

[@ImageMaven]

Ah, it’s the newer version. Should be sharp. Maybe it’s a shutter speed issue.

[@gautamn08]

​@@maups2 have you got the lens update by any chance?

[@ChangeTomorrow]

Thanks, Marlene; as always straightforward and helpful.

[@ImageMaven]

Thanks for watching Brian!

[@rogerfinbow8036]

Thanks, so easy to follow this excellent tutorial. Body and lens now up to date!

[@ImageMaven]

Great to hear! Thanks for letting me know. Cheers!

[@NeoDon1]

As always you are my Lumix G9 ROCK, I updated 6 lenses and I would have never known, (as I don't check for updates as often as I should) If it weren't for the Image Maven, Thanks so Much Marlene, Be well.

[@ImageMaven]

Great to hear Don! It's definitely something people need to tell you about, especially the lens updates. I missed some previous updates too.

[@NeoDon1]

Hi Marlene, here is the link to my Bird Feeder Channel on KZbin. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6Xdm2aMq8uZbM0 Any feedback would be appreciated from a seasoned youtube. Be Well.

[@ImageMaven]

Wow that's quite the setup you got there!

[@NeoDon1]

@@ImageMaven Thanks Marlene, I am editing the photos of birds in Premiere Pro. I am really liking what Luminar Neo vs LR is doing for my pics. Thanks Again, Cheers

[@kristabeattie6832]

Thanks! This was super helpful. Didn't know to look for updates. 😅

[@ImageMaven]

Happy to help! Thanks for letting me know.

[@royriseborough4605]

Thank you for showing what initially looked complicatrd

[@ImageMaven]

Glad it was helpful Roy. Thanks for watching!

[@jens822]

Thank you Marlene, great as ever. When I got my G9 at first I was not successful with firmware updates. The reason was, that I had set the writing order of slots from slot 2 first, slot 1 next (somebody claimed, that slot 2 is faster, no idea if this is true). With the default order 1,2 and the sd card in slot 1 it works fine.

[@ImageMaven]

Ya, that's a myth about the slots in this camera. I always use slot 1 as well. In fact I remove the extra memory card, as you would have noticed in this video.

[@hVF8KZuQPeCc8u]

Thanks for the video and a good reminder to get up-to-date. Have you thought more about getting the 100-400 Leica? Hope your birding is going well.

[@ImageMaven]

Hi Steven, great to hear from you again. I’m waiting on the lens for a bit yet. I want to see if there’s going to be a 25MP G9 successor first. But ask me tomorrow and I may change my mind. 😉 I’m kind of on the fence.

[@JamesAnderson-wft]

Thank you! A good reminder... I'm behind on both lens and camera...

[@Stalled-wm3qd]

Snap. But if we are behind then do we have to do the previous update(s) before the last update? ie if we do the last update as shown here by Marlene does that include the previous update or not?

[@ImageMaven]

Yes, all updates include all previous updates.

[@ronborovinsky1936]

thank you for the video! I didnt know the "playback button" was the method of the camera recongnizing the firmware. There is no firmware selection within the menu.

[@ImageMaven]

Not quite Ron. You access the current firmware version in the camera tools menu. Not the playback. You only access the playback menu when installing the new firmware from a memory card.

[@ronborovinsky1936]

@@ImageMaven thats what I was referring to.. Thank you! BTW, I see that the tether app is not compatible with windows 11. Any work around for that?

[@ImageMaven]

Support pages may have your answer: eng-ca.faq.panasonic.com/app/us/home

[@lostshepard00]

Thank you Marlene as ever - had to do 2 x G9 bodies and five lenses !! You made it so simple & easy thank you - do you know perhaps what the upgrades are all about for the lenses ? 25mm f1.4, 42.5 f1.2, 8-18, 35-100 and 100-400 ?, Thanks & kind regards paul Cape Town -

[@sue.Hoo123]

All the update info is shown on the Panasonic page, when you click on update info to download the firmware it lists what the upgrades are in detail.

[@lostshepard00]

@@sue.Hoo123 Tnx Sue was too busy looking for my lenses to see that !!

[@ImageMaven]

Hi Paul, You’ve been busy! There are often unlisted bug fixes and tweaks too, so it’s good practice to keep firmware up to date.

[@ImageMaven]

Thanks for stepping up to help @sue holmes! 🤗

[@OttoVonRaz]

Thank you for this tutorial!

[@ImageMaven]

Glad you enjoyed it Otto!

[@harryniedecken5321]

Thank you, very helpful.

[@ImageMaven]

You're welcome!

[@tryspenketai]

Hello, should I remove teleconverter for 200mm leica before update?

[@ImageMaven]

If your camera recognizes the lens I don’t think it matters. Go to Version Display menu and see if it’s there.

[@tryspenketai]

@@ImageMaven Thank you

[@jenshjmann3547]

Thanks! I didn´t notice it before. I wonder what advantages we get when we have the G9 and not the new GH6...

[@ImageMaven]

There are usually little unlisted tweaks in all firmware updates. So it’s good practice to keep everything up to date. I’m going to test my 100-300mm lens today. Hopefully I find some birds!

[@AmiPROD]

Welcome . Can I go back to the old version ? Plz

[@ImageMaven]

No. Not that I know of.

[@AmiPROD]

@@ImageMaven ok thaks

[@buyaport]

Thanks for this instructive video. However, most people won't need these updates. On the download page it says about the new function enabled by these lens updates: "It is possible to control AF operation by pressing the shutter button halfway, or by pressing the AF-ON button, when [200.00p] is set in high frame rate video mode. Compatible products as of March 1st, 2022 : DC-GH6". So unless you have a GH6, -- which has this specific video mode (and want to use it) -- the update will be useless to you, and you don't need to bother.

[@ImageMaven]

There are often unlisted tweaks and bug fixes too, and in my opinion it never hurts to keep things current.

[@Dangling_Carrot]

Your awesome

[@blindsouris]

There is now a new update for the G9 version 2.7

[@ImageMaven]

Yes, I believe it came out a couple months ago. Thanks!

[@360misc]

brilliant - thanks so much!

[@ImageMaven]

You're very welcome!

[@ddsdss256]

Thanks, but although I was able to update the body firmware to v2.1 (G9M2 just purchased today), when I tried to update three of my Lumix/Leica lenses, it said "File for firmware update cannot be found" (yet all three of the *.lin files are in the root of the same SD card where I had the G9M2 firmware update file). I don't recall having this problem with my old G9, and it shouldn't matter which body you use to update lens firmware, so I tried using that body to update the lenses, but so far, not so good. The first lens I tried was the Leica 100-400 and the green status bar went to about 20% fairly soon, but it's been sitting there for over 15 minutes now--not right, but I've no idea what happens if I ignore the admonition to not touch anything! I used a fully-charged battery, but maybe I should connect it to USB. Unfortunately, Panny customer service is gone for the day. I don't suppose you've seen this...

[@ImageMaven]

You need to follow the lens firmware update instructions exactly as they are in the website. Try doing one lens at a time. Only one .lin file on the card at a time. Lens that you’re updating needs to be mounted on the camera as well.

[@ddsdss256]

@@ImageMaven Thanks for the response. I did follow the procedure exactly (and it's always worked in the past). If by trying one lens at a time you mean only have the *.lin file for the attached lens on the SD card, that sounded like a good idea so I tried it, but that produced the same (lack of) result. I guess I'll try Lumix support tomorrow and I'll let you know. Thanks again!

[@ddsdss256]

Ha--you rock! By deleting all but the *.lin file for the mounted lens, I was able to update all of them. Weirdly, I only had the one file for the 100-400 on the SD card but it still didn't work. Then, I updated the other lenses and tried again with the 100-400 and this time it worked. Now, I need to set-up the new body and get out there on this wonderfully wet day and get on the learning curve (and I thought the original G9 menu was extensive)!

[@Michael-sc8if]

Marlene, is there an order in which you recommend watching your videos? I've had my G9 for a couple of years, but I use it like an old film 35 mm (pretty much manual everything); now I want to get my moneys worth out of all the features you talk about (example: i. resolution, what the? I didn't know about this until today), but it is a daunting task. What would be your Top Ten must watch videos? Thank you for walking us through the firmware updates.

[@ImageMaven]

Hi Michael. Hmm, I'd say just browse my Lumix G9 Playlist and pick out the topics that you need help with the most. You can start at the first one. kzbin.info/aero/PL46y8pfDCaW7crlPhtsP2fJNllIGOHQnP Or go through the expanded PDF camera manual (link in video description) and check out the camera diagram that shows all the buttons and dials. That's a good place to start. If anything doesn't make sense, search for a video on the topic. Hopefully you can find one of mine or someone else's that helps you. Thanks for checking my channel out and have fun with your G9!

[@louisjamin7195]

I could do that for the camera, not for the lens. Did everything you said, couldn't have access to the "install" controls on the camera. Any idea why ?

[@ImageMaven]

Make sure the memory card is clear of any other bin or lin files. Just the lin file for the current lens.

[@louisjamin7195]

@@ImageMaven thank you for your answer. Doesnt work, but m'y lense seems to have another issue. Thanks anyway !

[@swheeler6848]

Send help... I'm trying to update from a MacBook... anyway, pulled down the exe file on my pc, ran the exe file which extracted "ES100213-1.lin" I copied to a freshly camera formatted sd card (actually two cards as I thought one was corrupted) and when I put it in a turned off Lumix g9, slot #1, and restart, then hit 'play' button, I do not get the update menu. I get an error, "no valid picture to play" error

[@ImageMaven]

Your file says -1 at the end. I suspect you downloaded it twice? But if not, double check that you have the right lens. Older lenses typically don’t have updates. Example, I have the original 12-35mm f2.8 but that doesn’t have an update. The newer version of that lens does.

[@manoftheroad55]

Never been able to update camera double click double click what left button or right .is it ES file for camera and lens...dosent matter camera still works

[@ImageMaven]

Full detailed instructions are on the firmware download page.

[@azskarthak]

Hi I have a Lumix g 100. I’ve been using it for about three months now and loved using it until I decided to buy a flash. Turns out the shutter speed cannot go beyond 1/50 with flash. Is there a possibility of increasing it beyond that with a firmware update?

[@ImageMaven]

Yes that is a limitation for sure. Sadly can’t do high speed sync with it. Not sure a firmware update would fix that. Might be worth asking Sean on his next Lumix Live livestream.

[@markielinhart]

Silly question but do you need a card reader of some kind to download the updated firmware? ✌️

[@ImageMaven]

Actually this is an excellent question! You should be able to put the firmware update on a memory card through the camera (with supplied camera USB cord) without the use of a card reader, when using a computer. But I suggest you format the card first. Format the card in the camera, not the computer. (So that means you will lose everything on that card.) Any SD card will do. I typically use an old 2GB SD card that's way too small for anything these days. Just remember to decompress the firmware update file before putting it on the memory card, so you get the .bin file on your memory card. Once you copy that bin file onto the card, then take the card out of the camera and follow directions of inserting etc. from the video. You won't break anything if it doesn't work, but I think it's worth a try. Let me know how it goes!

[@markielinhart]

@@ImageMaven thanks for the response. Will this method work to upgrade the firmware on the G9 I just bought? It’s currently running 2.2 body (and 1.2 lens)…✌️

[@ImageMaven]

It should. Current firmware for the G9 is v 2.7. You can go from 2.2 to 2.7. It will include all the in between updates. Not sure what lens you're referring to, but you can look it up on the chart. Update the camera first. Here's the list: av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index.html

[@comelachapelle8337]

I have the lumix len 100-400. Can update my len from version 1.2 to 1.5.? I tried many times following what you said. It did not work. Thank you for the video

[@ImageMaven]

Make sure your camera firmware is up to date before trying the lens update. Here's the procedure: av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/step1.html

[@ImageMaven]

I just did this and it worked fine. Make sure you Accept the user agreement, or the firmware file won't download to your computer.

[@ucr2cnddru0xpgwlmbxtnexg4]

so for my 12-60 leica it says under changelog "It is possible to control AF operation by pressing the shutter button halfway, or by pressing the AF-ON button, when [200.00p] is set in high frame rate video mode." now im not sure would that also work on gh5 or only on gh6?

[@ImageMaven]

Try and you'll soon find out! That's the easy part.

[@ucr2cnddru0xpgwlmbxtnexg4]

@@ImageMaven i installed it and it doesnt seem to work. i am new to gh5 so it might be that im doing something wrong but i doubt it, i think its a feature for gh6

[@spinback72]

Hi. I recently bought a G9 second hand. It has 2.5 installed, but I only have a tablet, no PC. Can I still do this? Thanks...........

[@ImageMaven]

In theory you can update firmware via the Lumix Sync app. However I have not been able to get it to work. The Sync app works but not the firmware update. Might be worth a try for you. Otherwise Phone a Friend and borrow their computer for 10 minutes.

[@goodtimezproductionz]

Hello. Do you know the largest size sd card that can be used in the g9 and the best brand ? Thanks

[@ImageMaven]

I use a pair of 64GB SDXC SanDisk cards, but I could easily go to 128GB - the highest for this camera (according to the manual). Page 30 of the pdf owners manual has all the specs for the memory cards. I would buy a good brand name and be careful of Amazon as some of their vendors have been known to sell grey market cards. Operating manuals are on this web page: eng-ca.faq.panasonic.com/app/operating_manuals

[@goodtimezproductionz]

@@ImageMaven Thank you so much

[@Astro75mm]

does it make sense to update a lens if all you got was a G9, and not a GH6? aren't those firmware updates targeted at GH6 users? wouldn't such an update potentially risk the performance of your lenses which so far worked ok on the G9 just because "we need to have the absolute latest firmware" . sounds risky just to blindly update just for the sake of updating especially when its not fixing a known issue.

[@ImageMaven]

There are always little tweaks and bug fixes in firmware updates that are not listed. Worth the risk! Plus the next camera firmware update will also take advantage of the newer lens firmware.

[@Astro75mm]

@@ImageMaven thanks for the reply, anyway, very sad day for me today, my wife forced me to return my G9 back to amazon.

[@joestrahl6980]

A question: can you download onto the memory card all the appropriate lens updates in one go. Then put the memory card in the camera, attach lens, turn on, update that lens, turn off, take off lens, attach next lens, repeat etc. Or do you have to download one update at a time to the card? The question is, is there an automatic selection of the right update file when the camera senses the lens is on the camera? Sorry, I think my question is a bit stupid in case it doesn't matter. Thanks for yet another informative video!

[@ImageMaven]

Hi Joe. I haven’t tested that out but it’s not mentioned in the Panasonic instructions. I prefer to do a clean update with one file on the card at a time.

[@joestrahl6980]

@@ImageMaven Thanks!

[@ImageMaven]

Hi again Joe. I tried putting two lin files on my memory card, but I got the error message "No valid picture to play." So I guess that answers your question! And now I know for sure too.

[@joestrahl6980]

@@ImageMaven thanks again, so now I know for sure 😃

[@charija]

Thank you very much Marlene. I found a problem when I put the card with the firmware updates. When I press the play back buttom , I receive a message "No Valid Picture to Play". I have tried with the G9 and GX85. Could you help me . Thanks in advance Marlene

[@ImageMaven]

So you are updating a lens? Make sure you have the correct .lin file for that lens. Also make sure your camera body firmware is up to date. If you're having trouble re-format your memory card and start over.

[@charija]

@@ImageMaven Thank you Marlene, I appreciate yor help , lets do it!

[@ImageMaven]

If you don't have the corresponding lin file then you will get that error message "No valid picture to Play" Happened to me too as I got mixed up as the file names don't correspond with the zip filenames! So you gotta pay attention.

[@charija]

@@ImageMaven actually I appreciate your support Marlene. I followed your recommendation yesterday and finally I got updated my Leica 12-60 🙏🙏🙏

[@derJackistweg]

This process can fail - depending on your SD card! I just updated a GH6 on body version 2.2 with a 256GB. After that I tried several times in several versions the update of a 12 32 lens to 1.2. Failed. Obviously the SD card worked. I tried finally an old 32GB in FAT32. With that the GH6 discovered a stored (lens) update file. Before I got the message "no firmware update file detected". Note: With the same card I was able to update the GH6 body.

[@ImageMaven]

Glad you figured it out.

[@mussietube9909]

Hi marlene i have a g80 i want to lastest update v.1.6 but when i start its stuck in the middle and says pleasd switch the camera on of and doesnt update what can i do

[@ImageMaven]

Did you put the update on a freshly formatted memory card? Try again exactly as I describe in this video. Don't give up!

[@mussietube9909]

@@ImageMaven no i tryed with a memory card with photos on it.. i wil try eitj a new card thanks

[@mussietube9909]

@@ImageMaven problem solved.thank you after trying with formatted memory card

[@visualbree]

I hope it works, mine can't focus past the 12mm. I'm hurt guys

[@ImageMaven]

Let me know how it goes!

[@SueDyson]

Does it matter if you have OIS turned on or off on the lens when updating firmware?

[@ImageMaven]

No. Doesn’t matter.

[@howardchud9097]

Seems I’m getting a bin download but no zip for camera update.

[@ImageMaven]

That's the extracted file. It must have auto extracted. You're good to go.

[@howardchud9097]

@@ImageMaven Actually it didn’t work. Once on the SD card the camera didn’t recognize it. Turns out I went to Firefox and everything was perfect.

[@howardchud9097]

Firmware uploaded to all lenses and G9 body successfully.

[@ImageMaven]

Great to hear it finally worked out!

[@mirzaaljic]

Hi Marlene, thank you for making these videos! I just recently got the G9 with Vario lens, but my manual focus ring seems to be making super tiny adjustments and usually doesn't move the focus for more than 1% of the scale left or right. I did the firmware update as you suggested, but the problem is still there. The thing is, I set the focus to MF and no matter what I do, what type of manual focus options I change, the focus ring wont actually shift the focus back and forth. It just randomly assigns the focus point when I move the ring and stays in that area no matter how much I turn the ring back and forth. I made sure focus ring lock is set to OFF etc.. Did you ever experience anything like this?

[@ImageMaven]

Hmm, haven't heard of this. Does it happen with your other lenses too? I would contact support.

[@markielinhart]

Done Marlene‼️2.7 via an SD card. True confession, in all these years of Mac using this is the first time I’ve put an SD card in the back of my iMac (what’s this slot for🤔lol) Don’t want to push my luck but I might try the lens update (it’s the kit 12-60 that I love and use lots) 👋🇦🇺✌️

[@ImageMaven]

@markielinhart Yay! Glad you found the secret SD slot. If you can do the camera update you can do the lens update! 👌

[@pisunompogubambam]

if anyone knows, please give me an answer. How can I downgrade the firmware version? The other one had more stable results.

[@ImageMaven]

Which lens has the stabilization issue? There has been new updates since this video was made, on some lenses and cameras. Please check to see if your lens is in the list. But no, you can’t downgrade the firmware as far as I know.

[@pisunompogubambam]

@@ImageMaven Lens 15 1.7 Leica . upgraded from 1.0 to 1.1 and it got much worse !

[@manoftheroad55]

what is a root directory

[@ImageMaven]

The main menu of your SD card. Basically it means don't put your firmware file into any folders on your memory card.

[@KevinG-159]

Thanks!

[@KevinG-159]

Just bought a GX8 so now the new learning curve begins! Thank you!

[@ImageMaven]

Thank you Kevin! Enjoy. I had a GX8 for awhile. Great camera.

[@sofievanherle4570]

Would this also work for G8 camera?

[@ImageMaven]

Yes the procedure is the same for all Lumix cameras and lenses.

[@sofievanherle4570]

@@ImageMaven Thank you!

[@lumixographer2185]

Great public service announcement for new users! Once upon a time, I foolishly believed that Panasonic included all the lens updates in the camera updates. How silly to think that they'd make it really easy for us!😄

[@ImageMaven]

Cameras and lenses get released at different times so it stands to reason that the firmware updates would be too. I’m just happy that updates still happen!

[@elmarxianomars6833]

autolike and thanks

[@blindsouris]

Who will inform us of new updates except you? Mostly new products, novelties interest the bloggers, influencers, are they supposing we are lemmings? :-)

[@ImageMaven]

Hi Michel, Typically the camera companies will put out press releases and inform their brand ambassadors. Then us KZbinrs can get the word out to the masses.

[@Gray597]

So helpful - thank you

[@ImageMaven]

So glad! Thanks for letting me know!