All dates wrong with some NEF files

[Malus]

Hi!

I found something weird with some of my latest NEF files.
First here's some meta data of a correct file:

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exiftool _DSC6858.NEF -G1 -ver -filename -model -lensmodel -firmwareversion -shuttercount -alldates
12.96
[System]        File Name                       : _DSC6858.NEF
[IFD0]          Camera Model Name               : NIKON Z 8
[ExifIFD]       Lens Model                      : NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
[Nikon]         Firmware Version                : 02.00.j0
[Nikon]         Shutter Count                   : 26546
[IFD0]          Date/Time Original              : 2024:10:03 15:36:01
[ExifIFD]       Create Date                     : 2024:10:03 15:36:01
[IFD0]          Modify Date                     : 2024:10:03 15:36:01
The meta data of the very next shoot looks like this:

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exiftool _DSC6859.NEF -G1 -ver -filename -model -lensmodel -firmwareversion -shuttercount -alldates
12.96
[System]        File Name                       : _DSC6859.NEF
[IFD0]          Camera Model Name               : NIKON Z 8
[ExifIFD]       Lens Model                      : NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
[Nikon]         Firmware Version                : 02.00.j0
[Nikon]         Shutter Count                   : 26547
[IFD0]          Date/Time Original              : 2000:01:01 23:58:38
[ExifIFD]       Create Date                     : 2000:01:01 23:58:38
[IFD0]          Modify Date                     : 2000:01:01 23:58:38
At first I thought I had accidentally reset the time in the camera, but look at the times of some consecutive files:

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exiftool . -datetimeoriginal -datetaken -shuttercount -csv
...
_DSC6858.NEF,2024:10:03 15:36:01,26546
_DSC6859.NEF,2000:01:01 23:58:38,26547
_DSC6860.NEF,2000:01:01 23:58:26,26548
_DSC6861.NEF,2000:01:01 23:56:58,26549
_DSC6862.NEF,2000:01:01 23:23:19,26550
_DSC6863.NEF,2000:01:01 23:22:34,26551
_DSC6864.NEF,2000:01:01 23:22:28,26552
_DSC6865.NEF,2000:01:01 23:21:51,26553
_DSC6866.NEF,2000:01:01 23:21:02,26554
_DSC6867.NEF,2000:01:01 23:20:44,26555
_DSC6868.NEF,2000:01:01 23:16:00,26556
_DSC6869.NEF,2000:01:01 23:15:24,26557
...
For the first file the meta data looks good, but for the following files the time is running backwards :-)
Hmm, could be an integer overflow . . .

Any idea's?

yours, malus

BTW. I had already seen this a few month ago and discussed it here. The difference is, that now I have the faulty files under quarantine and can supply samples.

[Malus]

Got it, it's the camera.

I just looked into the setup of my Z8 and found the clock was indeed running backwards! No joke.
After switching it off/on and replacing the battery it showed the correct date and time again.

I think it's time to upgrade the firmware.

yours, malus

[Phil Harvey]

Very cool.