What I didn't realise about updating lens firmware using Apple computer with Intel chip

[glospete]

I'm sure I'm not the first person to spot this but the instructions on the Sony Support website for updating lens firmware are plainly WRONG. I followed the instructions on the website to update the firmware on my 24-105mm and 200-600mm lenses. The instructions specifically say that the Sony Camera Driver software is required only for Macs with Apple Silicon (mine is an iMac with Intel chip). So I used the file Update_SEL24105GV2D.dmg and ran it. I followed the on-screen instructions and every time it said "could not update". After 6 attempts (with the two lenses) I was certain that it wasn't my camera or computer so I downloaded the Sony Camera Driver (for Mac computers with Apple Silicon) and ran the LensSystemSoftwareUpdater.app which was clearly stated as being only for Apple Silicon machines. And the result was that once I ran this and then ran the Update_SELXXX file it updated perfectly. So Sony needs to change their instructions and delete the "only for Apple Silicon"phrase. Grrr!

 

[Richard A]

I don’t think Sony know much about Apple stuff to be honest but they are competitors in a lot of products after all. I regularly have the Imaging Edge Desktop app crash on me.

 

[AlphaWorld]

Serious suggestion - if you can, do the firmware updates on a Windows machine. It's simpler.

 

[glospete]

Serious suggestion - if you can, do the firmware updates on a Windows machine. It's simpler.

Interesting suggestion but for all the other advantages of Apple equipment I think I'll have to suffer the problems - in fairness to Apple the problem arose simply because of Sony not Apple.

 

[AlphaWorld]

Interesting suggestion but for all the other advantages of Apple equipment I think I'll have to suffer the problems - in fairness to Apple the problem arose simply because of Sony not Apple.

Oh, I was NOT recommending using a Windows machine for anything other than installing firmware!

I use a Mac Studio for Photoshop, and a Mac Air for email and other work (and an iPad for controlling things like lights).

At least some of the Sony firmware updates have required disabling security on the Mac, and I'm not keen on that, especially when I have to connect out to the internet. Windows doesn't require that because of the ease of loading drivers on demand (that's the polite way of describing it).

 

[glospete]

Ah, I see ... and totally agree!