D600 Dust/Oil/Lubricant Issue discussion/Discontinuation and price reductions

Nik0n2011

i'm for the normal side just giving my experience to be evaluated by who is experiencing weird situations cheers

rensuchan

I'm a frequent lens changer and I do on location outdoor shoots frequently so a bit of dust is to be expected. On my post, I'm sure some of the spots on my sensor are dust spots, but I had done a test against a bright white background on a computer monitor around 5000 shots and noticed persistent spots that wouldn't come off with a blower and upside down camera or several clean sensor functions. I pretty much ignored it since I almost never shoot above f/8 for 95% of what I shoot. I got bit in the butt hard when I went to the gardens / conservatory two days ago though lol.

Benji2505

Nikon2011: looks all like dust particles to me. Looks like you are up for some cleaning fun... #:-S
Spraynpay: I used to have the stubborn ones as well. The Peter Gregg wipers took care of them. The trick was to place them absolutely flat on the sensor and then wipe over towards the outside with a little pressure.

spraynpray

I am off to get my sensor cleaned today. That rock and the plentiful other specs are noticeable from f5.6 on so £33 goes west. I will buy a cleaning kit for the future. I don't like the Peter Gregg 'huf hot wet air into your camera' routine, I will stick with a Giottos Rocket Blower and Eclipse.

rschnaible

Nikon2011 - I have a D7000 and it gathers both dust and oil. With dust, use your Rocket Blower, with oil a wet clean is needed. I have had the camera for over a year and based on what I see and read, many folks need to clean their sensors more often than you might think. I do as sprayandpray does above and use the Giottos Rocket Blower for dust and when I find oil, I go the the wet clean with Eclipse. You will know the difference between the oil and dust when you do your test shots, it one of those things "you know it when you see it". Your images looked like dust. If you are detail orientated and have a steady hand with fine motor skills you will be fine with the wet cleaning. Take your time and be careful and do it in a room with minimum dust.....

If you are not comfortable with the wet cleaning, find a local pro so you are not without your camera for an extended period!

You can minimize dust issue on your sensor with good handling skills, but in some places it is unavoidable.... as for the oil spots, well that is another subject all together in my opinion......

Benji2505

I am off to get my sensor cleaned today. That rock and the plentiful other specs are noticeable from f5.6 on so £33 goes west. I will buy a cleaning kit for the future. I don't like the Peter Gregg 'huf hot wet air into your camera' routine, I will stick with a Giottos Rocket Blower and Eclipse.

Breezing onto the sensor is a stupid idea-I agree. Just clean it dry as described.

spraynpray

It is lovely to have an immaculate sensor again today but at $40 a shot for a pro clean I decided once was enough and bought a $15 kit and do it myself in future. 5 swabs and eclipse fluid will be enough for 2-3 years probably.

Nik0n2011

got my d600 today

actuations : 0(1 for the test i made)
first pic see above f/16

KnockKnock

Just noticed the refurb price for the D600 at Adorama just went up to 1899. I wonder if that means they've flushed through the first batch. Speculation of course.

SabraDesigns

Sorry to bring you some bad news but I was in a similar position. I bought my wife a D600 in November. With the holidays we were not able to do too much with it but by February we noticed the issue of dust\oil\noise on many of her pictures. My wife was a professional photographer and as we get closer to retirement we are thinking of a small cottage photo business or just enjoying a passionate hobby. This should have been a great experience.

We went to the Addison Texas Nikon photo school on Feb 23 and 24th. We decided to wait until after the class to send it in as we followed Nikon's protocol. They reviewed the pictures we sent in and they said send it to them in California. On the 25th we sent it in which cost us $137 ($122 for shipping and insurance and another $15 for the box and packing materials.) We sent it in two day UPS. They did not even acknowledge receipt of the camera until the next week even thought we had proof of delivery. Once they looked at it they simply cleaned the sensor and sent it back.

Right out of the box, we barely had the camera body open for 10 seconds while we attached a lens, we experienced the same problem. We called them and went through the hassle of sending in the pictures. By the way we received different instructions each time for the proper way to send files and each time it took several tries. They really should know how to handle large files and be consistent. We implied once again that we did not want to have to pay another $137 to send it back. We received the same email saying sorry but you will need to send us the camera again. We had enough. We were never offered a prepaid UPS label.

We went to a great local distributor. We did not buy this from them but since we have shopped there before they were gracious enough to listen to our situation and send it in to the Melville operation on our behalf. Just like you our camera was put on parts hold. They eventually, after 4 weeks and me getting on the phone with them, replaced the shutter mechanism and did a complete low pass filter cleaning. They sent it back apologizing for the issues and even sent me a check to repay me for my original shipping. They explained I should have been offered a free shipping label. There were several other miscommunications that are irrelevant as they had nothing to do with the issue at hand.

The camera arrived at the distributor on Thursday and we picked it up on Friday. We shot some pics on Saturday and went to the Dallas zoo on Sunday to put it through some real shooting. We got home Sunday evening and we saw the issue reappear. We started shooting at around 11:30 AM at 1:05 PM we noticed the first issue. WE figured this oput as we reviewed the shots Sunday evening using Nikon’s software. The spots gradually got worse. Yes we do have the pics to back all of this up which we eventually got to send to Nikon on Monday.

Monday afternoon they issues an overnight UPS label. I boxed the camera up and sent it back to them. They had a manager intercept put on the label to review. My wife will be travelling internationally next week and we needed the camera (we requested a replacement) before she left. I heard nothing on Tuesday morning but followed up and found out that they had it. I was told I would hear back later that day or early today. Nothing again. I call up and am told they will speak with the service manager and put in a request for a replacement camera. I would hear within 24 hours. In less than 6 hours they called me and said that the service manager said there is only one spot and they are simply going to clean it and send it back.

Now the pictures clearly show more than one spot and additional noise or again more spots. I asked them to review that as I do not believe they reviewed the pictures although why would they agree to overnight something for pickup after they saw the pictures if there was only one spot?

So in less than a week I received a refurbished camera with a new shutter mechanism and a cleaned low pass filter. In less than 4 days they requested the camera back. This is the third time it is in for the same issue. They did not offer to replace the camera. They are simply going to send it back after a sensor clean.

SabraDesigns

Here is the dilemma: The original place I purchased the camera from has graciously agreed to take it back and put me into another camera. They said we could either get another D600, a different camera or a store credit. That is customer service. That is a great customer experience. Nikon should learn a lesson from this. Right now I am leaning towards getting rid of our Nikon Gear. You see we also bought a D3200 and a Nikon 105MM micro lens as well as some other smaller items. That may sound drastic but that is how they have made us feel. We would rather have a nice working model of the D600 but how do I in good conscience reward them with more business after how we were treated and how the other people with poorly working D600 were treated. While I have no idea how prevalent the issue is, the manner in which they have handled it is disgusting. I am happy for all the people who I know and hear about that have working D600. However, a $2000 plus investment for a consumer or a pro is a significant amount of money. With Nikon currently reporting more than a $159M profit this quarter (down almost 50% on a 5% increase in sales), why should their customers take this kid of treatment?

For everyone with a good working D600 enjoy. For everyone who has been treated poorly by Nikon customer service I empathize with you. Luckily there are still some great companies that treat their customers with exceptional respect. Nikon could learn a thing or two. They have brought fumeiyo upon themselves.

PB_PM

Understandable sentiment. I think I'd feel the same way.

roombarobot

I had a similar, very disappointing experience with Nikon Service. 3 trips to Nikon service, the third was supposed to be held by the manager and we were supposed to talk about other options, but it was just given a sensor clean and sent back to me. I was and still am very unhappy with Nikon service.

I am sorry you got the same lack of service from Nikon Service.

I wish I would have gone with the D7100 in the first place, but it wasn't out then.

smadman

After reading this and other forums exhaustively, I decided to bite the bullet and buy a new D600 body from B & H a week ago. Serial number is 306xxxx. The first thing I did was to slap on a 24-85mm lens, and immediately take a dust "reference" shot. Perfectly clean. I haven't removed the lens since. At 100 shots, I'm already seeing some of the telltale spots accruing in the upper left of the frames. Yes, I can only see them using tiny apertures and in photos of plain white subjects, but they're there.

It *seems* as though Nikon is fixing the problem for real now when cameras are submitted for repair, although apparently the "fix" hasn't made its way into new cameras yet. So now I'm a bit troubled as to my next step. Should I turn the camera in for repair? Then I'm at the mercy of Nikon service, and I see folks on this forum have had mixed results. Or should I try to return/exchange the camera back at B & H while I still can, and try again once Nikon gets its act together? Any advice would be appreciated.

roombarobot

@smadman, I am sorry to hear you are having troubles. I would return the camera for a refund while you can! I don't think the D600 is ready and Nikon Service is spotty at best. Good luck!

Msmoto

@smadman

If this is the same issue as the early D600 bodies, you may want to return it and wait. But, this may be a problem which has been with the pro bodies for a long time. My D4 had about 70 spots at 10,000 clicks, cleaned it and now will occasionally notice a spot after about 23,000. I most likely will clean it again soon.

The question is whether yours will gather in spots including oil and dirt which will be seen on clear skies. I would suggest shooting a clear sky underexposed, f/16, and looking carefully to see what kind of garbage is on the sensor. Then decide if you want to keep it or not.

Ironheart

Also, see if a rocket blower removes the debris easily, if so you are probably okay, otherwise perhaps a return/exchange

smadman

Thanks for the feedback, folks...it's much appreciated.

I will try taking a pic of a clear sky, but until then, I'm enclosing a copy of my frame 107 in this posting. The spots are quite clear, and generally clustered around the upper left of the frame. I really don't see why a camera should have this kind of spotting after just 100 shots with ZERO lens changes. As always, any additional analysis and/or feedback is welcome. Here is a link to the image:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2yj2tiykmujg2iy/DSC0108.JPG

P.S. the EXIF data has been stripped from the photo -- it was taken at f/29

smadman

@Ironheart

That seems like a really good quick n'dirty test...thanks!

roombarobot

As I said, I would return the camera for a refund while you can. It looks to be one of the ones with a spotting problem. That is what I did (finally), but I waited too long and had to beg and plead with the vendor to return it.

After you return it, then I would think about getting the D7100 or D800 (or even switching brands). I personally would not advise going with the D600 again to anyone.

Best of luck!

spraynpray

Well, as it was taken at f29 that is not bad as they go. It does look like oil though, let us know how your blow test goes.

Sato

f/16 should be what your using to see how much of a problem it actually is.
Anything above that is hardly ever used in real life situations, As it takes you past the diffraction limit.
(Except if your a Macro/Micro fanatic, But then you'd probably have gone for the D800 or your using the stacking method.)

f/16 under normal conditions (In this case my desk with a white wall and white radiator behind it, Something made out of Lego's on it, One or two SB-700's depending on the available light, A lens and my D600 gives me this result straight out of the camera: (Didn't want to pollute my Flickr stream with these so I used Google's Drive.)

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4nrEoXqBq0WWDM4OVV0YlNoRVE/edit?usp=sharing

Lightroom: RAW to JPG, Paint.net for the little red circles around the spot's I could easily see when viewing the picture at 25%. (So yeah, I know there are a lot more present.)
And I kind of cheated, As this is at f/10 because I couldn't find a recent and decent f/16 example with a white background.

I did however find this one, Which is in fact f/16 and has had the same treatment as the previous one:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4nrEoXqBq0Wem04ajJpbzNBcm8/edit?usp=sharing

All in all, I'ts about time I bring it in to a Nikon Service Center. But I've got other stuff to do as well and the possibly important photo's are taken at f/5.6 or less. (Which are portraits of my nephew or other relatives.)
And hey, My butterfly's (Back in February) came out alright didn't they? Have a look here.

So Is it a problem Nikon should fix? Hell yeah, And they will. I still have fate in them. (Or else they'll have to give me a D800.)
Is it something that keeps me awake at night? No not at all.
Does it stop me from using the camera? Nope, Bit of editing and it's gone anyways. (Alright I admit, You might encounter 1 in maybe 100 or more pictures that is a keeper but has got a spot that's impossible to edit out without still being noticeable, But that's one in a 100 or less. So?...)


Oh and I need some proper studio-lighting stuff, Because Flash and shiny new Lego Bricks don't go well together. (Just look at the Eagles head and you'll see what I mean.)

smadman

Had an interesting talk with B & H customer service today, and they were just great. When I told them about my situation, they told me that yes, this is a known issue, that they consider the camera defective, and that they'd be happy to offer me an exchange (for another new D600) or a full refund. They said that in their experience, it's been hit or miss with whether or not the cameras have had this defect, and if my exchange still has the problem, they'll exchange it again! If the NEXT one is defective, it's time to decide either to repair it or take a full refund.

The guy issued me an RMA on the spot and e-mailed it to me as we spoke. The RMA form was already filled in, and the first item read as follows:

Reason for return: DEFECTIVE (oil spot accumulation)

In the best of all possible outcomes, this is exactly the scenario I would hope for (except for the problem to begin with, of course!). I'm going to go ahead and exchange for another unit, and hope I get what is presumably one of the newer ones with the problem fixed (I live within walking distance of B&H, so this is easy for me). I can't say enough about how impressed I am with B & H's swift response, and their overall attitude in this situation. THAT is why you buy from a reputable dealer and not one of those fly-by-night outfits that claim to undercut everyone else.

I'll keep you all posted of any additional developments.

spraynpray

Strange how being treated in an honest and open manner makes the problem seem smaller and relieves the stress that having the problem builds up. Well done B&H.

ARE YOU READING THIS NIKON? Tell us the truth!

catfish252

Nice thing about B&H is that they sell enough Nikon equipment that they can tell the truth and there is very little Nikon could do to them, unless they want to lose one of the largest Nikon retailers in the world, if not the largest. Regardless I want to thank B&H for the great service I receive there, their great Event Space videos and all the other support you give to all the photographers you serve. I agree -- Well Done B&H!