Sony A9 Firmware update

I am trying to update to firmware 1.1.

The software updater can't find the camera.  

I have done this before without problems. 

I am running High Sierra on my Mac.  Has anyone heard of any problems with the updater and High Sierra?

Is there an alternate method to update?

thanks,
Mike

I have had a similar problem with my Sony a7R I & a7R II cameras on a PC.
First thing to try is a different computer USB port.
A different USB cable (the one that came with the camera is preferred).
If that doesn't work try a different computer if one is available.

This is a fairly common problem for Sony cameras and it boils down to the cable or port not communicating with the camera properly.
Or it may be something new so do a search on google about the problem making sure to list the MAC OS.

I do not believe the updater is compatible with High Sierra at this time.  The alternate method is to either find a PC or a Mac that has not been updated.  Perhaps a friend or colleague...

E.J. Peiker wrote:I do not believe the updater is compatible with High Sierra at this time.  The alternate method is to either find a PC or a Mac that has not been updated.  Perhaps a friend or colleague...

Yep.  I got a note from Sony Pro service so stating.  

So, after finding a friends windows machine, I was able to download and update the cameras.  Coming from many years with Canon, it was so simple.  The updater is in the camera body.  When there is new firmware, you download a file to your card, push a couple of buttons and it is done.  With Sony's system, they have to worry about operating systems, hardware configurations (sometimes it took several different cables to find one that worked), etc. 

Mike

mikeojohnson wrote:

E.J. Peiker wrote:I do not believe the updater is compatible with High Sierra at this time.  The alternate method is to either find a PC or a Mac that has not been updated.  Perhaps a friend or colleague...

Yep.  I got a note from Sony Pro service so stating.  

So, after finding a friends windows machine, I was able to download and update the cameras.  Coming from many years with Canon, it was so simple.  The updater is in the camera body.  When there is new firmware, you download a file to your card, push a couple of buttons and it is done.  With Sony's system, they have to worry about operating systems, hardware configurations (sometimes it took several different cables to find one that worked), etc. 

Mike

Agreed, the Sony FW updating process is slow and cumbersome an fraught with potential error.  But now that you have done it, future ones will go better.  Similarly the whole PlayMemories thing to add apps and capability to the camera is a mess - they should take a look at how smartphones add apps...  Great cameras, lousy menus and updating process!  But like I said, it does become second nature after you have done it a few times and the lenses FW can also be updated doing it this way simply by mounting them on the camera and attaching the camera to a computer.  There have been numerous improvements to many of the lenses over time.  Canon and Nikon lenses can not be updated by the consumer.