D600 oil spots: time for class action lawyers

The problem with the D600 product quality seems to be so widespread that a lawsuit is winnable if Nikon continues to deny the problem. No jury will let Nikon get away with selling a $2000 camera that requires a sensor cleaning for every 500 shot (while banning DIY sensor cleaning).

Most large consumer companies have learned the hard way to take consumer complaints seriously, apologize and – worst case – recall and replace defective products. I understand that cultural differences might make this harder for a Japanese company, in particular if arrogance is a significant part of the corporate DNA. But Nikon needs a brutal wake-up call, or we all run the risk of being stuck with defective products.

Handling D600 complaints on a case by case basis (while pretending the problem doesn’t exist) is not enough. This will result in customers feeling they are left at the mercy of Nikon instead of being assured by a public statement that Nikon will stand by their products.

The problem with the D600 product quality seems to be so widespread that a lawsuit is winnable if Nikon continues to deny the problem. Here are some possible components in a lawsuit:

• Nikon’s claim that any DIY sensor cleaning voids the warranty. How can Nikon Japan sell a sensor cleaning kit if that is forbidden?
• Nikon’s recommendation to send in the sensor for cleaning as a remedy. After each 100 - 500 exposures? With a $2000 camera?
• What will happen after the warranty expires if Nikon prohibits DIY sensor cleaning? Will customers then have to pay $50 and be without their camera for a week for every 200 exposures they shoot? With a $2000 camera?
• Of course Nikon doesn’t mention any of this in their glossy marketing material. A lawsuit could almost be won by walkover just by quoting Nikon’s D600 marketing fluff in the court room.

I don’t hate Nikon. On the contrary, I think most of their high-end products are great. But it seems that “we the people” have to put some serious pressure on them in this case. Their top corporate management needs to rethink their outsourcing strategy, product quality, and corner-cutting/cost-cutting.

(I suspect that some of the trolls here on DP Review who ridicule and belittle this problem are Social Media PR consultants paid by Nikon corporate PR.)