Sekonic Firmware error 10

rick448

rick448

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I have just received my Godox transmitter for my L-858D light meter, when I fitted this it stated that it wouldn't work with this meter. So, I decided to check the firmware as I guessed that would need updating to accommodate the new transmitter. I have updated the firmware loads of times before with no problems, but this time it got to about 90% and then cane up with the following:

Boot Firmware : 10

Error 10 : Firmware Error

Does anyone know how to clear this?

I have tried removing batteries and restarting a number of times, but no joy. Google is of no help either, and the Sekonic site seems to indicate it will need to go to the service centre. Now as I've just paid over £150 for the transmitter, not to mention the cost of the meter itself, I am hoping this will be done very cheaply (it is out of warranty) does anyone have experience of their prices as the webiste doesn't seem to give any indication.

I guess a call tomorrow is going to be needed. To say I am disappointed is an understatement :(

Cheers,

Rick
 
mike weeks said:
You need to download their software and do an update to version 17 - I did and mine works fine

mike
Click to expand...

Yes I realise that thanks, I was in the process of updating the firmware when it went into error mode and won't do anything. I am posting it out to the service centre tomorrow, hopefully they can reload the firmware correctly. I have no idea why this happened, I have never had any problems updating it before, I will be really annoyed if I end up with a £700 brick and a useless Godox transmitter... Fingers crossed.
 
I had a similar experience. While updating my L-858D light meter's firmware to support a new wireless transmitter, the download application blew-up and left my 858D in the same "Boot Firmware : 10" state.

Did you get the issue resolved?
 
FWIW, I got around the Firmware error. It's been a couple weeks, so I presume you have as well.

It case it helps, here is what I did:
  1. I downloaded and installed the latest DTS version (6.1).
  2. I then re-attempted the download. DTS connected and started the download.
  3. The FWDownloadUtility blew up again. I'm on a Mac and got an error report displayed. I noticed a Resume or Retry button near the bottom.
  4. I clicked this Retry ?? button and the firmware update continued and finished with any additional error.
  5. I then disconnected the 858D from the USB cable and powered it up.
It worked fine. I then installed the new radio trigger and the 858D booted as expected...Cheers!
 
JackW3 said:
FWIW, I got around the Firmware error. It's been a couple weeks, so I presume you have as well.

It case it helps, here is what I did:
  1. I downloaded and installed the latest DTS version (6.1).
  2. I then re-attempted the download. DTS connected and started the download.
  3. The FWDownloadUtility blew up again. I'm on a Mac and got an error report displayed. I noticed a Resume or Retry button near the bottom.
  4. I clicked this Retry ?? button and the firmware update continued and finished with any additional error.
  5. I then disconnected the 858D from the USB cable and powered it up.
It worked fine. I then installed the new radio trigger and the 858D booted as expected...Cheers!
Click to expand...
I got the meter back on Monday all fixed under warranty. So all good. I did all of the things you mentioned above prior to sending it off but no joy.

Glad you got sorted with it too :)
 
rick448 said:
I got the meter back on Monday all fixed under warranty. So all good. I did all of the things you mentioned above prior to sending it off but no joy.

Glad you got sorted with it too :)
Click to expand...

Hi all,

Resuscitating this old thread in case anyone needs this info. This is the only place on the internet where I've found any discussion of relevance, so here goes:

I recently tried to update the firmware on my Sekonic L-858 lightmeter but the whole thing got trashed - DTS stopped and the meter wouldn't get past the SEKONIC splash screen. Restart. DTS wouldn't recognize the meter at all. Wailing and gnashing of teeth. Email off to Sekonic service center. Cursing the brave new world where everything is a computer. (Where's my L-398....?).

However, after randomly mashing buttons, I discovered that if you hold all three buttons - Memory, Measure, and Menu - while pushing the power button to power up (a bit of yoga required with fingers and hands), the 858 goes into "emergency mode". This is apparently the hidden "if all else fails" secret repair state.

I was able to connect again via USB, run DTS, and upgrade the firmware from its completely corrupted state. Unit now has the upgraded firmware and works fine. Lazarus has risen.

Of course, Sekonic don't explain this anywhere because then they couldn't charge you hundreds to do the same thing at their service center, or replace the motherboard or whatever improves the profit margin.

Note: the disaster occurred when running DTS on my Mac Studio, with all its security warnings about approving the install and other nonsense. The successful firmware reload was done with a Windows 11 machine running DTS which installed without problem.

-- David
 
Last edited:
David,

Many many thanks for posting this info, I had a very similar experience today updating firmware on my Mac Studio. I'd already sent an email off to Sekonic this morning. Thought I'd do a bit of googling and came across your post. L858D is now up and running again . To say I'm pleased is a massive understatement.

kind regards

John
 
dvoss said:
Hi all,

Resuscitating this old thread in case anyone needs this info. This is the only place on the internet where I've found any discussion of relevance, so here goes:

I recently tried to update the firmware on my Sekonic L-858 lightmeter but the whole thing got trashed - DTS stopped and the meter wouldn't get past the SEKONIC splash screen. Restart. DTS wouldn't recognize the meter at all. Wailing and gnashing of teeth. Email off to Sekonic service center. Cursing the brave new world where everything is a computer. (Where's my L-398....?).

However, after randomly mashing buttons, I discovered that if you hold all three buttons - Memory, Measure, and Menu - while pushing the power button to power up (a bit of yoga required with fingers and hands), the 858 goes into "emergency mode". This is apparently the hidden "if all else fails" secret repair state.

I was able to connect again via USB, run DTS, and upgrade the firmware from its completely corrupted state. Unit now has the upgraded firmware and works fine. Lazarus has risen.

Of course, Sekonic don't explain this anywhere because then they couldn't charge you hundreds to do the same thing at their service center, or replace the motherboard or whatever improves the profit margin.

Note: the disaster occurred when running DTS on my Mac Studio, with all its security warnings about approving the install and other nonsense. The successful firmware reload was done with a Windows 11 machine running DTS which installed without problem.

-- David
Click to expand...

hi David, it worked (with Mac)!
Thank you so much for your extremely valuable post, you really saved my day and my light meter...
Small but important addition to the topic "Putting the Sekonic Speedmaster L-858D into > Emergency Mode <":
The emergency mode could only be activated - for me - on the 2nd day (!?), despite a large number of attempts (for whatever reason), so: don't give up on the first day...!

klaus
 
I just got the dreaded error 10 while updating my L-478D. Thanks to this thread, I was able to put it into emergency mode, but alas, DTS software failed to load my meter despite being connected by USB to my M1 Mac. I thought the firmware had worked, it updated the DTS software version without any issues and it looked to have completed the firmware update from the original 18 to 20 (2015). I sent Sekonic an email and was sad to see that my meter was on life support. But I persevered and realized that my meter wouldn't connect at first, because it requires a USB-2 connection, and on my Mac, i've had peripherals not want to work on USB C converted ports and USB 3 hubs. so I tried one port after another and then .... "Error message". That's better that nothing. I turned off the meter, opened up the DTS software again, and VOILA. The meter is listed there with firmware version --- (F**** UP) and firmware version 20 available. I started the update process, and after what seemed like 8 minutes, it said to unplug the meter. It's back, and with new (9 year old) firmware!!!!! I sent Sekonic an apology email for assuming that their software had bricked my meter, it's much more likely that the USB hub that I connected to had a voltage irregularity and discontinued the firmware installation. I have streamdecks connected to the same hub and they disconnect every once in a while, so I'm guessing that's what happened. I joined this group just so I could share this with anyone who had the same misfortune, and to thank all of the people who likewise solved their problem, and didn't keep the solution to themselves. I'd love to talk about metering, especially for CINE users as I've just recently started shooting photography again, but I'm really excited to be using my meter for cinematography.
 
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