VertovSvilova
Well-known
I'm assuming it's because the class action suit was filed long before Nikon announced the shutter replacement program (at least in the US.) Those who signed on to the class action suit got an offer for D610 replacements as part of the lawyers and plaintiff's agreement with Nikon. Everyone else (those who didn't sign on to the class action suit) got the free shutter replacement service. So I imagine that the class action suit would have been kind of a useless settlement (especially for the lawyers egos) if they hadn't received something better than what all D600 owners were going to get anyway.
But despite all that, Nikon will still give you a D610 replacement if you're not happy with your D600 even if you're not part of the class action suit. They offered me one if I wasn't happy with the shutter replacement service (see my post above.) My D600 never had oil splatter (I bought it after the issue was discovered so it's a later production model), and after the service it's still been fine. I do get dust on the sensor but I also change lenses all the time and in rough environments. But dust doesn't seem much different than any other Nikon DSLR I've owned (and I also currently have the D800E.) I decided not to pursue any offers of a D610 replacement since they also offered me free sensor cleaning for the life of ownership of the D600.
My favorite Nikon (besides film Nikons) was the D3s. I had one during my tenure with the D700 that I had bought for a specific application. For me, it was the best Nikon has produced in the digital era (and very ergonomic.) But to be honest, the D600 gives me much better image quality than the D3s ever did (except under higher ISOs) and serves my current needs very well. Sensor and processor technology has definitely advanced since the D700 and D3/D3s era. If I ever need the build/ergonomics and speed again, I'd certainly consider the D4s. But I've been really rough with the D600 and it's still been admirable in performing for me. When it does finally die, I'll definitely have gotten a lot of value out of it and way beyond the purchase price.
If your biggest priority is excellent image quality, and you don't need high FPS or better AF or higher ISO, then I believe the D600 (or D610) is a great deal. It's also compact and light. I personally wouldn't call it a 'toy' (as someone said here.) In reality it's a very capable DSLR with 100% optical viewfinder and which can use just about any Nikkor lens, and will produce top quality images (and the same sensor as in the Sony A7.) But if you're concerned that you won't look 'serious' using a consumer camera, then that's another issue. 🙂
