Sad day today. Just received my RMA# for my 3 week old D600.

[SCraig]

It is a minor and rare issue, considering the thousands and thousands of other D600's that don't experience the issue.

Considering the amount of copys that are floating around the world the oil - dust issue is probably rear.

When was the last time you saw someone start a topic stating that there is absolutely nothing wrong with their camera? You ONLY hear about those with problems, never the ones that don't have problems. Not making light of those who have experienced the problem, but it's probably a fraction of a percent of the number of bodies sold as Keith said.

Personally I would have cleaned the sensor and moved on. It's lubricant on the mirror hinges from what I understand, and if that's the case a new body is when it's going to show up the worst.

 

[DarkShadow]

It is a minor and rare issue, considering the thousands and thousands of other D600's that don't experience the issue.

Considering the amount of copys that are floating around the world the oil - dust issue is probably rear.

When was the last time you saw someone start a topic stating that there is absolutely nothing wrong with their camera? You ONLY hear about those with problems, never the ones that don't have problems. Not making light of those who have experienced the problem, but it's probably a fraction of a percent of the number of bodies sold as Keith said.

Personally I would have cleaned the sensor and moved on. It's lubricant on the mirror hinges from what I understand, and if that's the case a new body is when it's going to show up the worst.

So very true but at 70 clicks I think the OP should exchange it for another copy.

 

[flow]

I tend to expect a brand-new item to be perfect ... I would probably send it back too. But, they'll be refunding you right? If this problem really is a rare one (which I agree is likely) could you use the refund to buy a new one of the same model and hopefully you just got a bad one this time?

 

[SCraig]

So very true but at 70 clicks I think the OP should exchange it for another copy.

IF I ever buy a D600 the first thing I'm going to do is come home, charge the battery, put the camera in manual, and then run it down shooting photos of the wall or floor or ceiling. If there is any oil on the sensor I'm going to then charge it again and repeat that procedure. Then I'll clean the sensor and never worry about it again.

 

[CR88]

Maybe your camera is a Ravens fan... Trying to lighten your mood.

Now that was funny.

After reading some of the replies, I wanted to do a little research on cleaning the sensor to see if others were to able to resolve the issue. There are a number of YouTube videos showing people who have cleaned the sensor, only to have the problem reoccur within a very short period. I just think there are some D600s that have a more serious issue that is not easily resolved from standard user maintenance such as cleaning the sensor. I wish that were the case as it really is a GREAT camera in so many ways. I have come to the conclusion that I am not ready to completely give up on the D600 yet, but I am also not prepared to overlook this issue given the minimal use of my particular camera. I may pickup another one down the road. Maybe I got a lemon. But, I am going to do a little more comparing against the D7100 and the D800 first. Unfortunately, tomorrow morning it will be on its way back to B&H and I will be back to my D200 for a little while.

 

[CR88]

I included a sample just to illustrate the issue on one of the pics. Here is the jpeg as shot, before cropping or any adjustments whatsoever. After seeing this one, I looked through the rest at home and noticed the specs on many more, some worse. This was with my new 24mm 2.8 that has been on the camera the entire time.

 

[Danuser]

Your shot looks like the spots I was getting in my photos after I'd had my D600 for about six months. I sent it to Nikon and got it back 10 days later with the shutter mechanism replaced. So far so good. Still love my camera!

 

[cgw118 143]

Your shot looks like the spots I was getting in my photos after I'd had my D600 for about six months. I sent it to Nikon and got it back 10 days later with the shutter mechanism replaced. So far so good. Still love my camera!

This remedy suggests the oil issue isn't a "rare" or "isolated" problem with the D600. Sounds more like "policy" to cope with a widespread defect. If it's serial#/production date specific, why not just issue a recall?

 

[CR88]

It is a minor and rare issue, considering the thousands and thousands of other D600's that don't experience the issue.

Considering the amount of copys that are floating around the world the oil - dust issue is probably rear.

When was the last time you saw someone start a topic stating that there is absolutely nothing wrong with their camera? You ONLY hear about those with problems, never the ones that don't have problems. Not making light of those who have experienced the problem, but it's probably a fraction of a percent of the number of bodies sold as Keith said.

Personally I would have cleaned the sensor and moved on. It's lubricant on the mirror hinges from what I understand, and if that's the case a new body is when it's going to show up the worst.

I do agree. I have made the same statement before myself when reading issue related reviews. In this case however I have posted all along, first that I was anxious to get my D600 since it was jump into FX and secondly how impressed I was with the camera itself. I thought posting some positive comments would add a little more balance to the D600 debate and help others who were debating the jump to FX. Unfortunately, I posted my raves only after shooting about 10-15 shots. I had to leave town shortly after I received the camera and didn't get a chance to put the camera through its paces. I am only posting now because an issue like this after under 100 shots on a $2,000 camera is really a little too much to overlook, especially given the number of cameras with this issue. From a sheer number issue, it probably is a small percentage of the total. But at $2k, the ratio shouldn't even be close. Also, from just a little research on this issue with other users, even cleaning the sensor didn't help. Or it did until the problem popped back up again and again shortly after. As I said I am not ready to give up on the camera yet, it is a nice mix of features, performance, capability AND price. And as much as I wanted to clean the sensor and move on, I just didn't think that would be the end of it.

I do see that Nikon is acknowledging this issue. It has been brought to their attention from companies who rent out D600's. My understanding is that they were requiring sensor cleaning at a MUCH higher rate than other brands and models. I also see from what has been posted on another site that they are attributing the dust issue to a gap around the shutter. Nikon D600 sensor's dust spots caused by a gap around the shutter? | Nikon Rumors

So, I'm not sure if any of this matters at this point, but if Nikon ever fully resolves the issue I will be first in line to get another one.

 

[slow231]

I love how people WITHOUT a d600 with an oil problem give so much crap to other's about this. "if i had one i would... " blah blah blah. the fact of the matter is these people have NOT dropped the coin for a d600 and haven't dealt with the oil issue to know how quickly it occurs or how annoying it is to clean. not saying that you have to have direct experience to have a valid opinion, but take outside perspectives for what they're worth.

OP, it's your camera, your money, and your choice. if you're unhappy with it, return it. I actually happen to have one with an oil problem and i do chose to deal with it, it's an awesome camera. but i also totally understand how quickly it sheds and how gummy and annoying to clean it is. In no way would I fault anyone for not accepting it in lieu of other options (another copy, d800, etc.).

 

[SeanE]

You could return it and try your luck with another one. I would just clean the sensor or send it to Nikon to have it cleaned.
FYI, my D7100 has faint spots on the sensor that don't blow off. So don't think you can escape this issue by going to that camera. It's much more rare but it can still happen. Even with the D800 has had issues. Once the excess lube gets flung off it will probably stop spotting up the sensor so exchanging may not help.

 

[Tom47]

My D7100 had faint oil spots on the sensor also, sent it to Nikon under warenty to have it cleaned sand serviced. They performed service and checked the camera for other problems. I would send your camera back and let Nikon clean and service the camera.

 

[CR88]

My D7100 had faint oil spots on the sensor also, sent it to Nikon under warenty to have it cleaned sand serviced. They performed service and checked the camera for other problems. I would send your camera back and let Nikon clean and service the camera.

Thanks for all of the replies. I have come to the conclusion that I am not ready to give up on the D600 yet. I did return mine, but I may pickup another one down the road. Hopefully one without the dust/oil issue, but if it is does, I may just heed the advice from many of your posts and send it in to Nikon rather than returning it. I am sure with all of the flack they have been taking they should have a pretty solid fix. I don't see anything else offering the same value on the market right now anyway. I just wasn't prepared to keep one that had the issue pop up after so few shots. Goign back to my D200 was just too much of a step backwards and while the D800 was an option, it was a bit out of my price range. Plus, 36 mp is overkill for my use. So it looks like a D600 is really the best fit, even with its potential faults. Thanks again.

 

[CrM45]

You might also want to consider one of the refurb bodies. The unit was most likely returned for the dirty sensor issue and factory resolved. I don't usually buy refurb's, but did get a great deal on a lens from the Nikon Store and it has been perfect in every way. They had the D600 for under $1500.00 a few weeks ago and of course sold right out. Maybe an option worth considering if you really want the D600. Plus a little extra savings never hurts.