[ajay_satpute]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Ajay bhau I am certainly no 'expert' just following what happens in the photo/imaging world as a matter of personal interest.

And yes, Nikon thru it's actions (and inactions) has been giving strong hints that they would rather their premium/pro/advanced amateur customers strongly consider FX.

AFAIK the dust & oil splatter issue has only affected the D600 while the D800 had left focus point issues. The newer units don't have this issue but Nikon screwed up badly.

Whether Nikon customers went to Canon is a different matter - Canon doesn't have a camera that can match the D800's resolution and DR - yet. D600 users? Don't know really. Probably a few did but that too is a very compelling camera to keep vis a vis the Canon EOS 6D. Shajufx on TBHP has a D600 - hope he's not facing issues with dust/oil. Unlike cars which are sold lock, stock and barrel, the thing with cameras is that your lenses and other accessories lock you in. It's like quick sand - the more you have the deeper you sink in.

LOL ! I did not mean to start a cold war between all experienced photographers by calling you an expert. I just called you an expert only compared my own newbie level of knowledge and experience in this field.

If I remember correctly, Shaju had put his D600 on sell after being hit with the dust issue himself. I remember reading something similar on FB on his wall. I may be completely wrong. I also remember that he was planning to venture into the Sony Alpha world that time.

I hope my posts are not going too OT.

[R2D2]

Ok boys, I know I am/was unpleasantly surprised @ Nikon's D7100 pricing here in India. let's look at this with a calmer mind:

Body price = 79,500
Street price = 75,500 (assuming a 5% discount @ your favourite dealer)
Street price in USD = 1,373 (US $1 = INR 55)
Difference from US prices = 1373-1200= $173

Now that doesn't sound so bad, does it? Considering you have warranty coverage here and all products are brand new i.e. no returns or refurbs?

BTW, I would advise any future prospective buyers to wait at least a couple of months till initial reports are out before forking out the cash.

Why? Nikons quality control has taken a massive beating thru 2012 with the D4, D800 & D600 ALL facing issues in varying proportions. Of course there will be some who can't wait.

Originally Posted by ajay_satpute

I just called you an expert only compared my own newbie level of knowledge and experience in this field.

Phew!

Originally Posted by ajay_satpute

If I remember correctly, Shaju had put his D600 on sell after being hit with the dust issue himself. I remember reading something similar on FB on his wall. I may be completely wrong. I also remember that he was planning to venture into the Sony Alpha world that time.

Oh that's bad news! Poor chap! So if he's moving to Sony Alpha is he selling out his Nikon kit? IIRC he has a D700 and D600 + some good FX lenses. Replacing them all with Sony equivalents will be expensive proposition. And of course Sony lenses are difficult to find.

[Behemoth]

I also have a D600 and have so far taken around 2000 clicks with it. So far touchwood no dust issues with it and there was only one speck of dust on the sensor recently which could have gotten in while changing lenses. I cleaned the sensor myself and its fine now. I am using a different lens from the 24-85 normally sold with the D600 body and I suspect the even the stock lens could be a culprit in the dust issue.

[R2D2]

Nikon released an official statement on the D600 dust/oil issue:

http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answ...ail/a_id/18180

Resolution is nothing new: Use the sensor cleaning mechanism, a blower as per instructions in the manual or take it to the Nikon service centre. As if we didn't know!

They haven't admitted a QC fault instead blaming it on 'natural accumalation of dust'. Pure bunkum if you ask me. Why?

Oil on the sensor is hardly an environmental contaminant neither are black flecks that they call dust. Also, there's still no guarantee that this problem will not recur later.

All in all it's also a pretty casual sounding statement on an issue that's affected what seems to be a fair share of D600 owners.

[ajay_satpute]

Best selling Canikon lenses on Amazon:

Canon Lens Top Sellers:-

EF 50mm f1.8 II — $110
EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 III — $125
EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS II — $209
EF 50mm f1.4 USM — $339
EF 85mm f1.8 USM — $369

Nikon Lens Top Seller:-

AF-S 35mm f1.8G DX — $196.95
AF-S 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED IF VR DX — $214.15
AF-S 50mm f1.4G SIC SW — $469

[gd1418]

Equipment update

Though I have edited my signature, I'm sure it must have gone un-noticed.

70~200 with TC14E-II



A lovingly maintained and appearing almost new AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 70~200mm f/2.8G IF came into my stable on the 17th Feb, 2013. I had always wanted to get one of this but the prohibitive cost of the new VR II model became a major deterrent. I was on the lookout of a decently maintained VR I model. Luck smiled on me.

I had to settle for the AF-D Zoom-Nikkor ED 80~200mm f/2.8 that I bought in Jan'11.



This was sold on 21st Feb, 2013.

The lenses have remained in the TBHP family. The 70~200 belonged to a TBHPian and the 80~200 was sold to a TBHPian.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by gd1418

Equipment update

Though I have edited my signature, I'm sure it must have gone un-noticed.

70~200 with TC14E-II

Congratulations. I remember PMing you about this.

Handholdability - critical for wildlife shooting - will take a big leap now. In DX mode VR1 is as good as VR2.

I am thinking of going for the D7100 or D400 and the 70-200 + TC (what versions tbd) after a few months.

[arulpeem]

[ I suspect the even the stock lens could be a culprit in the dust issue.]

I have bee using the stock 24-85 on my D600 and shot around 550 shots till date and till date I haven't got any dust or oil like spots on the sensor. I need to wait until I shoot a couple of thousand shots. Till then I will keep my finger crossed.

[rkbharat]

Congrats Guru ji, you should have tried TC-17E, works fantastic for me, taking the aperture to 4.8, which is not bad.

Originally Posted by gd1418

Equipment update

Though I have edited my signature, I'm sure it must have gone un-noticed.

70~200 with TC14E-II

[gd1418]

Thanks Rajiv, but when I bought the TC, it was the 14E-II that I could afford. Makes a 2.8 a 4 and a 4 to a 5.6. Sufficient I guess.

Originally Posted by rkbharat

Congrats Guru ji, you should have tried TC-17E, works fantastic for me, taking the aperture to 4.8, which is not bad.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

I am thinking of going for the D7100 or D400 and the 70-200 + TC (what versions tbd) after a few months.

The TC2.0E III works pretty well with the 70-200 VR II as it does with nearly all Nikon fast lenses. It is a expensive compared to the other TCs but worth it IMO.

Here are some reviews:

http://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-tc-20e-iii

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/th...-post-35425143

While it won't match a prime but combination is very portable and maneuverable. You may need to bump up the shutter speed (and may be ISO) to compensate for the cropping effect of a DX body. So 1/FL formula would be 1/600 in your case and the aperture drops to F5.6. VR II helps a lot.

If not the 2.0TC look at the 1.4 for a minimal loss of IQ @ 280mm for FF (420mm DX) at an aperture of F4.

Originally Posted by gd1418

Equipment update Though I have edited my signature, I'm sure it must have gone un-noticed.

Congrats gd1418. Wishing you fun with the new additions to your kit!

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by R2D2

....Shajufx on TBHP has a D600 - hope he's not facing issues with dust/oil.....

I am blessed with plenty of oil all over my sensor, but I have learnt to live with it

Originally Posted by ajay_satpute

.....Shaju had put his D600 on sell after being hit with the dust issue himself......he was planning to venture into the Sony Alpha world that time....

No buddy, I just warned all my friends with the pics of oil, but did not want to sell it by any chance, just because I bought it after knowing the potential risk involved. It was not Sony alpha but OM-D & Lumix GH3 that I considered but as a back up for my work, not as the main camera.

Originally Posted by Behemoth

I also have a D600 and have so far taken around 2000 clicks with it. So far touchwood no dust issues with it and there was only one speck of dust on the sensor recently which could have gotten in while changing lenses. ....I suspect the even the stock lens could be a culprit in the dust issue.

Actually the oil issue is until you cross the first 3000 clicks. Try again at f/8 to f/16 range, you will surely find something. Its not visible if you look at the open sensor, but visible only on images. Lens has nothing to do with the oil.

Originally Posted by arulpeem

... D600 and shot around 550 shots till date and till date I haven't got any dust or oil like spots on the sensor. I need to wait until I shoot a couple of thousand shots. Till then I will keep my finger crossed.

I found oil on my images within the first 500 itself. As I said above, try between f/8 to f/16 you will find them without doubt. Nikon has acknowledged officially that the entire D600 batches went through the same production process and one may not be better than the other.

I am almost crossing 3000 clicks, and expecting it will subside gradually, cleaned only once so far. I must say D600 is one of the best bang for buck considering what it offers. Routine cleaning (with wet swabs) will sort out the oil issue thats assumed to be connected to the shutter mechanism. For those who are not ready to try self cleaning methods, Nikon service will provide free cleaning. Sensor is one of the best to die for

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by shajufx

I am blessed with plenty of oil all over my sensor, but I have learnt to live with it

I must say D600 is one of the best bang for buck considering what it offers. Routine cleaning (with wet swabs) will sort out the oil issue thats assumed to be connected to the shutter mechanism. Sensor is one of the best to die for

QC issues aside these new model Nikon cameras have sensors that rock the world

Shaju, are you cleaning the sensor yourself? Since it's under warranty maybe you take it to Nikon?

If you're cleaning it yourself what swabs are you using and where did you get them from? I am thinking of buying a sensor cleaning kit (swabs+fluid) for my cameras just in case.

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by R2D2

....maybe you take it to Nikon? ....what swabs are you using and where did you get them from? I am thinking of buying a sensor cleaning kit (swabs+fluid) for my cameras just in case.

How are you doing dear ? Hope your Nikon bricks are rocking

My time does not permit me to visit the Nikon service here. Its not that major a reason to spend half a day too.

I could not find a decent cleaning kit in India, so ordering them from US, a friend will bring it in a month. Visibledust, Pecpad & Eclipse are products to own based on the user opinions from PROs whom I know around. They have solutions, swabs, pads etc. Bit of reading online or watching some tutorials, it is easy to handle. I borrowed couple of swabs from a friend and it did my work well.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by shajufx

How are you doing dear ? Hope your Nikon bricks are rocking

My time does not permit me to visit the Nikon service here. Its not that major a reason to spend half a day too.

I could not find a decent cleaning kit in India, so ordering them from US, a friend will bring it in a month. Visibledust, Pecpad & Eclipse are products to own based on the user opinions from PROs whom I know around. They have solutions, swabs, pads etc. Bit of reading online or watching some tutorials, it is easy to handle. I borrowed couple of swabs from a friend and it did my work well.

Thanks Shaju bro. The bricks are doing good.

I don't have anybody coming from the US so was considering the Eclipse + Pec pads kit but those guys ship via USPS and it becomes dicey once it reaches the untrustworthy Indian Postal system.

So thinking about a Visible dust kit including a loupe from B&H in due course. Will have to order something else too otherwise courier/S&H charges become prohibitively expensive for these small articles.