Thread: $700 Price Drop on Nikon D600 and 24-85mm Kit Lens!

Originally Posted by Amin Sabet

The base ISO for D700 is ISO 200, whereas base ISO for D600 is ISO 100, so your ability to use faster glass wide open in daylight is the same for both cameras - if anything greater with D600 because of the newer sensor design. It's true that the D800 also has base ISO 100 and therefore takes things a step further, but I haven't found the 1/4000s limiting at all and didn't find the high-ish base ISO on the D700 or OMD to be a problem either.

I was shooting yesterday at 11 AM with no clouds at F1.4. I can't do that with the X Pro. The 1/4000 kept me at 3.2. Anything less that that I got the little red warning with the shutter speed indicator. I think in FF terms is really something like F3.5 or 4.0 for DOF. I probably need to adjust my thinking but that's how I see DOF, based on the D700. So if I'm looking at something and deciding how much or how little I want in focus, inevitably (perhaps unfortunately) that's what I see. Maybe you can do that with the D600 because of the ISO 100 since I haven't tried. I sure wish the Fuji had ISO 100 or even ISO 50. I do shoot at F8 a lot too so it just depends. At some point if I decided to replace the D700 I would get the D800 probably because of the build. My understanding is the D600 isn't quite as robust as the D700. Again, I'm not sure since I'm not shopping for a replacement any time soon. When you are wandering through the woods with 3 dogs it helps. I haven't looked into it (and I don't really know much about computers) but it just seems that 36 megapixels would require a lot of storage, ect. I'm pretty sold on the Fuji so any money I get next year is going for the new lenses. Maybe in 2014 I'll look at a D800 if it doesn't require me to buy a new computer. I like the one I have. That said, the D700 really is a better camera than I am a photographer. I'm still learning how to use it. Once I get that part down I plan on learning about how to actually take a good photograph.

I absolutely would buy this camera were it not for all the negative comments about the poor QC issues, e.g., oil and dust showing up on the sensor. Regardless, Nikon have broken the $2000 price point on a "new" entry level full frame unit. I can hardly wait to see what the next few years may bring. Until then, film is still alive and when I need a full frame fix, there are plenty of old slrs and 135 compacts in my collection. All the same, this camera is giving me GAS!

Steve, I keep reading about things you can't do with your Fuji because of too much light. Just buy some ND Filters and sell off that Nikon.

Originally Posted by stanleyk

Maybe you can do that with the D600 because of the ISO 100 since I haven't tried.

I don't know about the Fuji - how sensitive the sensor is or how much highlight headroom is in the files, but a D600 at 1/4000s, f/1.4, and ISO 100 isn't going to clip or give warning any more than a D700 at 1/8000s, f/1.4, and ISO 200.

Originally Posted by wayneseyeview

I absolutely would buy this camera were it not for all the negative comments about the poor QC issues...

I bought it for more than $2k and was well aware of the oil issue (which is the only QC issue I know of) when I plunked for it. Supposedly it stops after a couple thousand frames, so I'll clean the sensor after 2-3k shots. No big deal to me, but that's pretty much my way - never cared a bit about Fuji orbs, DP1 red dots, the EFS 17-55 dust pump, etc etc.

How's that D600 coming along? How about some pics? :)

I'm tempted to plunk down the money and grab one. What's a good prime lens to start with? Gulp ...

Hi Armando - So far so good! I did have the oil spots on the sensor, but swabbing with one of these seems to have done the trick. Will probably have to repeat that after at some point, but they say the issue stops after a couple thousand shots, and cleaning the sensor was a cinch.

I bought the 50mm f/1.8G to go with it, and it's rapidly becoming one of my favorite 50s. Hard to believe it only costs $220.

A few family snaps with that lens:


DSC_1052 by Amin Sabet, on Flickr


DSC_1357 by Amin Sabet, on Flickr


DSC_1221 by Amin Sabet, on Flickr


DSC_1414 by Amin Sabet, on Flickr

Originally Posted by Amin Sabet

I bought the 50mm f/1.8G to go with it, and it's rapidly becoming one of my favorite 50s. Hard to believe it only costs $220.

Very nice photos. Nikon has some very good lenses that don't cost an arm and a leg. Some of the D Series lenses are also very good. I have the 85mm D. It's really sharp. I know I can use almost all the Nikon manual focus lenses on the D700 so it's probably the same on the D600. I'm jealous.....but I have to wait one more year before upgrading.

Beautiful shots Amin. I'm gonna have to stop looking at this thread - I've never had any interest in a full frame DSLR and I damn sure don't want to start to develop any at this point!

You didn't really get your son a drum kit for Christmas did you? You know that's the end of any peace or quiet right!?

-Ray

Thanks, Steve and Ray.

Steve, I agree with you - some great D lenses as well, and the ones which have been replaced by G lenses are some great value for money. I've also used some really excellent AI/AIS lenses, although manual focus really isn't something I enjoy all that much.

Ray, I hear you - I don't know how much this Nikon is going to get used. It's night and day bigger and heavier than anything I've carried around in the past 5 years. The drum kit was actually a present for my son last Christmas, so I know very well that it was the end of peace and quiet . His playing style is basically Animal from the Muppets . My older one is going to take up guitar and I play a little bass, so I look forward to some fun times .