Spoke again with Nikon on the D600 oil/dust issue - A fix is on the way! Locked

I waited about 6 weeks since I last called Nikon when I was told they were aware of the dust/oil issue in the D600 and waiting to hear from Nikon Tokyo. So today, I called back to ask for an update.

The gentleman I spoke with was very polite and helpful and gave me some good information once again (I believe it was the same person I spoke with the first time).

These are the points he made which may be useful for other people experiencing the same issue or think of buying a new D600:

• Nikon Tokyo have a solution in the works which will involve fitting new parts into the camera to solve the issue
• The fix will be coming 'soon' but I was told I should still send my camera in to be cleaned in the meantime for a quick turnaround of just several days
• They are not oil spots we are seeing but lubricant/debris coming off the mirror box
• The interim cleaning will involve not just the sensor but also the source of the lubricant
• Nikon are paying for the postage by sending me out a barcode to put on the box so I can send it in for the cleaning
• A high proportion of d600's are experiencing this problem

I think the major point here is that Nikon Tokyo have a solution involving the removal and fitting of new parts but this solution is not yet implemented and that the repair centre is waiting each day for an update on this (what I was told).

Thankfully, this means something is being done even if Nikon are not being vocal about it (big mistake in customer relations which I expressed my concern about).

I suggested that I could return the camera to the shop for a new one (not as easy for me as it sounds [long story to do with strange shop policies] but asked if the new one is likely to have the same problem and I was told that it was quite likely it would (so the socalled 'minority of users 'with the problem can't be that small then as I often see said on this forum).

I have seen numerous people ask whether they should wait to get the d600. Based on what I heard today, I'd say wait until this new part is implemented.

For anyone who wants to tell me 'not another oil thread' which I saw on my first 'update' on the matter 6 weeks ago, please realise that Nikon themselves have told me that this is an actual problem not just 'normal' dust. Also, many people will find this useful I believe, hence why I wish to share this information. I haven't seen anywhere else on the net confirmation that a new part is going to be fitted as a solution.

Hopefully progress is being made. I think people need to keep the pressure on though for this is be finalised sooner rather than later.

I do not believe this story.

What Nikon center did you call -- NikonUSA, Nikon Europe, Nikon Japan?

Frankly speaking, I am skeptical about everything you said in your post. Customer service reps (not only for Nikon but everywhere) are strictly prohibited to make any far reaching statements beyond whatever is necessary to help you in your specific case. Unless, of course, it was a rogue customer service agent (Nikon-007).

Leo

One bad apple...

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In the earlier post he said it was Nikon Switzerland. Personally I find the post measured and believable. There has to be someone in Nikon who isn't a public relations dork.

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Brian
Fine Art Print sales of the Isle of Skye at:
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It was Nikon Switzerland I called. I am 100% honestly telling the truth. Why on earth would I make this up? There is far too much cynicism on this forum. If you don't believe me phone the repair centre in Switzerland and ask them your own questions about the issue if you have it. I have no reason to make stuff like this up. I am legitimately trying to help other users.

I do not know the position of the person I spoke with but I do not think he was a regular rep as I specifically asked to speak to someone in English and was transferred to him. He seemed to have more knowledge and certainty in his responses than a regular rep (from previous expierience). Also I called the repair centry directly thus avoiding general customer services reps. I will not speculate what his position is. I was just happy he was so informative and willing to help. I can assure you, he seemed very sure of what he was telling me. Once again, I have no reason to make this up and by the way, I do not take it lightly being called a liar before anybody else wants to suggest this.

I, for one, believe you. I have faith in that whatever the Nikon service guy told you, he believed it to be the best available knowledge.

Having said that, while it is in the Nikon's best interest to improve their assembly methods as quickly as possible (lots of repairs and cleanings will clog up the service centres and prove expensive, not to mention the effects of negative talk on the internet), there could potentially be a long wait until the old stocks clear and the "improved" bodies appear on the market. Even if no official statements will be made, this is still very, very good news.

Thanks!

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regards
Janne Mankila, Finland

I was just at the Photography Fair in Stockholm, Sweden.  Nikon (and Canon) offered free camera cleanings.  I spoke with the technicians and they said they have seen nothing to indicate there is something different about the D600.  They said all cameras have dust.  This story seems to repeat itself with each camera release and for the most part you need to shoot a white wall at F22 and then tinker with it in post to show the spots.

They did say however that all cameras will eventually require a wet cleaning and the time for that is when you take a picture of the sky and start seeing spots.

If there is a significant problem with a significant number of D600's lubricants to do with moving parts in the mirror box area could reasonably be the cause.

"Ordinary dust" is not the likely cause as the "clean image senso"r menu option removes ordinary dust.

dpreview, who use cameras a lot while testing, reported more marks than normal after 4 weeks use. By looking at the dpreview images you can make your own mind up as to whether the top left of the sensor had significant marks after 4 weeks heavy use.

I would be surprised if parts with too much lubricant need replacement rather than cleaning. Time will tell.

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Leonard Shepherd
Many problems turn out to be a lack of intimate knowledge of complex modern camera equipment.

Now that is a text book reply, right there. Luckily for us, all reps and technicians don't go by the same book.

No need for such drastic measures.   At f/11-16 any dust particless will evidently show and will require annoying cloning when spotted on any sort of flat wall or sky - or in the out of focus areas, which can be considerably blurry when, for example, shooting at very short distances.

Actually, it would be great to have the camera spot the spots and inform the user. Say, if consecutive shots at similar apertures have spots in the same place (there must be some clever mathematical tools to find them reliably), the camera notices the user and tells her where the spot is and that a cleaning is in order. Imagine having dozens or even hundreds of shots with the same dust spots because of one unlucky lens change in the morning. It is not funny.

That much should be known to anybody in this hobby. It's not hard, it's certainly not expensive. It's like cleaning your coffee brewer from time to time if you wish to enjoy the taste of coffee.

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regards
Janne Mankila, Finland

I agree with you. Only a stupid guy (from a customer service rep) can tell something like this to a stranger. And suggesting to other people to not buy the camera until the problem is fixed is another dubious aspect...

It sounds reasonable and is definitely encouraging and helpful post.  Thanks for sharing it.  I have my third D600.  It's a great camera but some copies have this problem and others are perfect (my experience).  The first, perfect body I had was from Costco but I returned it to select other lenses.  The second body was not functional and I returned it to BH immediately.  This third has oil not dust spots but otherwise functions well.

Good luck everyone.

"A fix is on the way!" sure just like Santa will be here next month!

Maybe Santa will also bring a fix for the D800...

I really think some extra moderation is needed in these forums. Don't go around calling someone stupid. Really, there's no excuse and considering the positive experience I had to day, I find it hard to read such rude comments. Let me see, so there are complaints when there is no customer service and then when someone is very polite and helpful, you call them names. Real grown up of you. Maybe in Switzerland things are done differently than the bad experience you seem to have had to make you so cynical (and by the way I am not Swiss). I asked some simple questions, I got some honest answers. End of.

Also, it was me who suggested that those on the fence wait and not yet buy the d600 until the problem was fixed, not the person from Nikon. This would makes sense if Nikon plan on replacing a part in the camera in the near future, I think most would agree.

Hi S31,

I would like the telephone coordinates in Switzerland ( the Nikon Technical desk) where you have obtained this information about the recognition that there is a problem with the D600 and that a fix is on its way...

Thanks,

JAMES

Your words are very encouraging. I guess Swiss corporate culture has more decency left in it than the American one. Sorry for my earlier skepticism. I thought you talked to someone in NikonUSA.

Leo

Please, explain why D600's dust is mostly at the upper-left corner of an image while in the other cameras it is more or less all over the place.

Leo

OK, is not stupid. Let see if someone else will find this very polite and helpful guy to confirm the story. And also will be interesting to find out his boss opinion.

Thanks for the info.  Please keep us posted and ignore the criticism please

bc

In the dpreview test after 4 weeks use there is more top left - but I would not say "mostly".

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Leonard Shepherd
Many problems turn out to be a lack of intimate knowledge of complex modern camera equipment.