Nikon D700/600 why can't I spend my $$

B-9

B-9

Devin Bro
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I've been actively hunting for a D700 or D600 for almost two weeks now.
The prices I've seen are confusing to say the least!

Here's what I've found to be true,

D700 has the best resale value (or assumed so) considering everyone is asking the same as less used D600's... What am I not getting here!?

Also used D600's are selling for more on eBay than some shops have them new for!? (The best price is 1050 but requires credit, no paypal)

Can anyone straighten this out for me?
What SHOULD I pay for these cameras used (sub 50k act.)

Frustrated is an understatement, I'm ready to start shooting again!
If you have one sitting around, see my ad in the WTB section in the Classifieds.
 
The D700 is a very loved camera and the D600 has known issues... used they will sell for more if the seller's D600 does not have the issue. New, you might get one with the issue.
 
I woudn't touch a used D600. The oil issue is a problem and requires a substantial repair. Nikon will not service anything that was not bought through an authorized reseller so if your camera does develop this problem your in big trouble. Comparatively used D700's have few major issues and even if there is a problem can be repaired outside of Nikon service. That's probably why the used prices of D600's are lower than D700. Truthfully I think used D700 prices are still a little ridiculous considering you can add a little more and get a new D610
 
I've read about the D600 mirror box issues, I'm always a skeptic of forum chatter.

But, correct me if I'm wrong, if you buy a New camera with a manufacturers warranty (the one that comes in the box, 1yr) Nikon will repair your camera if the issue arises, you'll basically get a complete camera overhaul on Nikons tab. Sounds like a sweet deal to me?

Use it, abuse it, repair it on them (if at all)
 
D600 oil is, to me, a non-issue ; a few sensor cleans over a "running in" period will sort it, there's not an infinite supply of oil in there. I'd be happy with one (at the right price)
D700 have fantastic build quality, and are the nearest thing to a "classic" in the world of digital. They were years ahead when released, and still a capable camera.
 
Devon get a D700 if you want Nikon. Put up a want to buy ad here. Someone has probably got one to sell.
Skip the D600. Too much controversy. Nikon does not deserve any support for that model.
 
B-9 said:
I've read about the D600 mirror box issues, I'm always a skeptic of forum chatter.

But, correct me if I'm wrong, if you buy a New camera with a manufacturers warranty (the one that comes in the box, 1yr) Nikon will repair your camera if the issue arises, you'll basically get a complete camera overhaul on Nikons tab. Sounds like a sweet deal to me?

Use it, abuse it, repair it on them (if at all)
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This is what I thought too. However it's a perpetual problem and there are many people who've had to send the camera off to Nikon multiple times for service. I nwouldn't be very happy if the camera spent more time in the shop than with me. Nikon released the D610 for a reason. Again I would seriously discourage you from buying a used D600 knowing that this is not just internet chatter and also Nikons policies towards used gear. Buy a new D600 if you get a good deal and roll the dice. If it were me I would spend the extra money and get the D610. Also consider that if you ever want to sell the D600 you might run across the same problem.

I would personally not get the D700 as good as it is. At the used prices it commands there are much better choices. Heck I would get a used Sony A7!!
 
stompyq said:
This is what I thought too. However it's a perpetual problem and there are many people who've had to send the camera off to Nikon multiple times for service. I nwouldn't be very happy if the camera spent more time in the shop than with me. Nikon released the D610 for a reason. Again I would seriously discourage you from buying a used D600 knowing that this is not just internet chatter and also Nikons policies towards used gear. Buy a new D600 if you get a good deal and roll the dice. If it were me I would spend the extra money and get the D610. Also consider that if you ever want to sell the D600 you might run across the same problem.

I would personally not get the D700 as good as it is. At the used prices it commands there are much better choices. Heck I would get a used Sony A7!!
Click to expand...

I would personally buy a D700 over an A7 any day of the week. Even now the D700 is way ahead in terms of usability, durability and speed than a lot of the later competition. If mine packs up I'll be getting another or having this one rebuilt. The only Nikon digital I would trade it for are the D3s or the D4.
 
If the D600 oil problem is misinformation, i.e. ""forum chatter", why would Nikon offer free D610s as a replacement for D600 owners to settle Class Action lawsuits?

That's a lot of money to spend to deal with impetuous ""forum chatter".
 
nobbylon said:
I would personally buy a D700 over an A7 any day of the week. Even now the D700 is way ahead in terms of usability, durability and speed than a lot of the later competition. If mine packs up I'll be getting another or having this one rebuilt. The only Nikon digital I would trade it for are the D3s or the D4.
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I agree with this whole heartedly.
A SLR is still an esential tool for most photographers.
There is no way anyone can convince me that a EVF camera with a 135mm or longer lens is as easy to obtain good perfomance as a true optical Reflext Focus screen.
It's just not there yet.

Why Nikon BTW? Do you use Nikon now? Personally... I've stuck with a 5Dii since I can mount almost any Reflex lens ever produced on to it via simple adapters. Including Nikkors.
All those great m42, OM, Leica R and C/Y zeiss lenses are usable (and Nikkors).
The D700 is a fantastic camera though, If I had a comprehensive set set of Nikkors and nothing else this is what I would choose. Otherwise it's the 5Dii or even later 5Diii.
 
Last I read nikon had resolved the oil issue and was replacing all mirror assemblies on US imports with new mirror assemblies. Non issue. Old internet chatter.

If you're in the US you should never buy gray market Nikon gear. Nikon will not service it period.
 
stompyq said:
... Nikon will not service anything that was not bought through an authorized reseller so if your camera does develop this problem your in big trouble. .../quote]

This is not correct, at least in my experience. I purchased a D600 from original buyer with his promise that the camera was outside the serial number batch that had the oil problem. That turned out to be untrue. So I visited Nikon's service website, downloaded the shipping form, sent the camera in, and it was returned two weeks later with a NEW shutter mechanism and a CLA! No more problems (at least not yet). This was all at no charge and I did not have to provide any proof of purchase! :)
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D700s are a fantastic camera and deserve their reputation as one of the great DSLRs.

I keep thinking I have little use for it since getting a 240 but in my heart I know it has capabilities well beyond the Leica's.

The D600 seems like a bit of a toy in comparison IMO.
 
stompyq said:
This is what I thought too. However it's a perpetual problem and there are many people who've had to send the camera off to Nikon multiple times for service. I nwouldn't be very happy if the camera spent more time in the shop than with me. Nikon released the D610 for a reason. Again I would seriously discourage you from buying a used D600 knowing that this is not just internet chatter and also Nikons policies towards used gear. Buy a new D600 if you get a good deal and roll the dice. If it were me I would spend the extra money and get the D610. Also consider that if you ever want to sell the D600 you might run across the same problem.
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This is all overstated. Buy a Nikon D600, used or new. If it has problems, Nikon will fix it at no charge. If it has oil problems, they'll automatically replace the shutter mechanism, no charge. That is exactly what happened to me (and sending it in was recommended by a Nikon sales rep). No problems, no questions asked. I now have a D600 that's like new with under a 1000 shutter clicks (500 from Nikon's lab testing before they returned it to me). Nikon may have been a bit slow to deal with this problem, but they are doing the right thing now. :)
 
Jamie Pillers said:
This is all overstated. Buy a Nikon D600, used or new. If it has problems, Nikon will fix it at no charge. If it has oil problems, they'll automatically replace the shutter mechanism, no charge. That is exactly what happened to me (and sending it in was recommended by a Nikon sales rep). No problems, no questions asked. I now have a D600 that's like new with under a 1000 shutter clicks (500 from Nikon's lab testing before they returned it to me). Nikon may have been a bit slow to deal with this problem, but they are doing the right thing now. :)
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That's right, they will service the camera for free and for as long as you own it (even if you bought it second hand.) I just got another email not too long ago from Nikon USA telling me I can send the camera in (and again with the free prepaid shipping) for the new shutter replacement. I called them because I had already done this and was curious why I got another email about it. They said that it was because if I was still having any issues at all, to send it in. And if I'm still not happy then they'll just give me a new D610. And while keeping my D600, I will also have free sensor cleaning anytime for as long as I own it.

Anyway, I have beat the crap out of my D600 in all sorts of environments and it keeps on ticking. I never had any issues with it to begin with but sent it in anyway for the new shutter (after all, the service was free.) I sold my D700 after it was discontinued and got a really good amount for it. While I liked it a lot, the D600 produces a much better image and with way better dynamic range (and I like to print large.) The high ISO isn't quite as good but is still okay. But I normally use it at base ISO, and with manual focus Nikkor AI/AIS or the Voigtlander chipped lenses. So the more narrow autofocus point spread isn't an issue to me. I also use it like a film camera; a bit more slowly and more contemplative, and so I don't need fast frame rates. It's my "beater" camera that really produces excellent files. I personally think it's really a great bang for the buck. It's a FF body with a 100% finder and the Sony 24MP sensor in this thing is very, very good.

imho, these days build quality in digital only has a certain limited value. By the time the camera does break, it will most likely be obsolete anyway. Unless you're a PJ in a war zone, or need high FPS and lightening fast AF and fast processing, most any current digital camera is still built well enough to last out its life cycle before it becomes ancient technology. I think this is the bane of digital. Spending big money for a better built and heavy duty film camera rather than on a digital camera seems to make more sense to me due to digital's relatively quick obsolescence.
 
The D700 and D600 are pretty different cameras. The AF system is going to be way better in the D700, if that matters? Personally if I were you I'd save a few more pennies and get a D800. I have the D800E and it's a fantastic camera (when I use it, which is only for commercial work), and the prices seem to be half of the original retail on the used market. Which is why I don't buy digital crap often ;).
 
nobbylon said:
I would personally buy a D700 over an A7 any day of the week. Even now the D700 is way ahead in terms of usability, durability and speed than a lot of the later competition. If mine packs up I'll be getting another or having this one rebuilt. The only Nikon digital I would trade it for are the D3s or the D4.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't buy either over the other - completely different tools for different purposes.
 
x-ray said:
Last I read nikon had resolved the oil issue and was replacing all mirror assemblies on US imports with new mirror assemblies. Non issue. Old internet chatter.

If you're in the US you should never buy gray market Nikon gear. Nikon will not service it period.
Click to expand...

Why did Nikon settle the class-action suites on three continents (US, EU, Japan) with new D610s for free if repaired D600s solve the problem,?
 
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