Chinese government orders Nikon to stop selling D600

...and Nikon said that China was one of their growth markets, how ironic?

Well they deserve what they plant...

Mar 20, 2014permalink

Pixnat2

Anyone who think that it is for protecting customers is really naive.

Mar 20, 2014permalink

tt321

The motivation may not be, the result certainly is. The method though is pretty ad hoc, as they usually are in China, and that is the biggest problem.

Mar 21, 2014*permalink

Donnie G

Nikon's corporate bean counters are showing us how to turn cost cutting into a "death by a thousand cuts". If Nikon doesn't find a partner outside of the camera business to merge with soon, then they may not survive long term after all. Apple or Google might be interested in acquiring a camera company, and Nikon would be a good fit for either one of them. Well, that's my best guess anyhow.

Mar 20, 2014*permalink

Stephan Def

I've been thinking exactly the same thing, that Nikon will not be able to survive as an independent Company. Sony would be another Contender, but there is probably already too much overlap and the lense mounts are not compatible.

However there is another issue smoldering under the surface, and it smells like something very unsound, not sure if corruption is the right word for it.

Mar 20, 2014permalink

Donnie G

Sony does need Nikon's sales volume to keep their camera sensor business profitable, but the only way they could merge the two companies would be for Sony to abandon their own camera business in favor of Nikon's. I don't see that happening. Besides, most of the rest of Sony is still bleeding red ink, and Nikon needs a financially strong parent. Otherwise, Nikon risks being in the same predicament as Olympus where every new product they introduce has to be a sales success, or else. I don't believe there's any corruption going on at Nikon, but I do believe that desperation may be setting in. Much will depend on D610 and N1 V3 sales this year.

Mar 20, 2014permalink

Scottelly

You are quite misinformed. Nikon has growing sales numbers, not only in total money, but in numbers of cameras and lenses too. Do your research before you go posting speculative garbage like this.

Mar 20, 2014permalink

Donnie G

While Nikon is a strong camera company today, the problem is that's all they've got going for them. They need to diversify more into other areas so that they can better withstand trends such as the current cannibalization of low end camera sales by camera phones and a shrinking number of pro stills photographers to sell their pro lenses and bodies to. The traditional stills photography market is shrinking at both ends at the same time, and that's where the problem lies. Unlike Canon and Sony, Nikon doesn't have a significant presence in professional video or cinematography. So, long term, where will the new customers come from to support the company's continued growth? To me it seems that Nikon is very vulnerable as an independent camera company. But that's just me.

Mar 20, 2014*permalink

justmeMN

@Scottelly: Nikon's current stock price is US$17.80, down from a 52 week high of US$27.50. Nikon's fiscal year ends March 31st, so we will know the truth of the matter pretty soon.

Mar 21, 2014permalink

MandoBear

If you take the trouble to look at Nikon's website, you will see that imaging products are but one part of Nikon's operations - which include sport optics, precision equipment, instruments and medical products, and ophthalmic products. That sounds quite diversified to me.

Mar 21, 2014permalink

plevyadophy

@MandoBear

But ................. their camera division makes up a HUGE percentage of the company's overall income. Failure in the camera/imaging division impacts majorly on the entire group. Go over to Thom Hogan's site he has far more data and articulates the issues Nikon faces far better than I can.

Mar 24, 2014permalink

mainframedc

Now,China has done a good thing for its people and deserve praise and thanks for doing a good thing for its people' an example of what other real leaders should do.

China shows the world how governments should protect citizens against malicious practices of big business and big money.

Maybe one day, the US and other world leaders, along with state & local governments will put end to the corporate lobbyist, phony warranties and liabilities practices out of existence and bring in real consumer protection.

The the same malicious problems exist in almost every governments, industry and businesses that make their livelihood screwing the citizens and consumers while filling the tax coffers of governments and bankers with the ripped-off consumer funds and taxes that they really did not earn.

Unfortunately, China missed a lot of the same problems with Panasonic, Sony and a many others world conglomerates in other industries and services.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Geniet

As far as I know, New Zealand has legislation known as the 'Consumer Guarantees Act 1993'. Under this Act, consumer rights are expressed as a series of "guarantees" that a seller automatically makes to you when you buy any goods or services ordinarily purchased for personal use. NZ parliament is in the process of passing legislation to extend CGA protection to auctions. Further, the CGA does not apply to either commercial goods, or consumer good or services supplied for business purposes.
In their capacity as consumer, persons in New Zealand, have rights in regard to occurrences such as experienced with the Nikon D600.
If I am not mistaken, both Canada and Australia have similar legislation.

Mar 20, 2014permalink

royt84

Really? Unfortunately, the People's Republic of China missed a lot of the same or have worse problems with their local conglomerates in most industries & services as well.

Mar 20, 2014*permalink

Joed700

I think China's actions against Nikon could well be politically motivated by the recent dispute over an island off the coast of China with Japan. China is having a hard time controlling fake or unsafe products from their own people...dealing with a defective camera would not be their primary concern....

Mar 22, 2014permalink

waxwaine

Could China ask DPR to stop promoting golds awards crap, and launch Pentax K-3 review?

Mar 19, 2014permalink

mister_roboto

DPR is reviewing now.

Mar 20, 2014permalink

Sad Joe

PLUS: RED China steps in and takes firm action against a DUFF problem and dishonest retailers (well done!) CONS: More damage to Nikon all to save 'face' of a few top executives VERDICT: Nikon and some of its dealers caught RED handed.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

milpai

I am sure, the recently released Beta of Capture NX-D has a "oil/dust cleaning" feature. It is hidden somewhere....need to find the navigation path :-)

Mar 19, 2014permalink

AbrasiveReducer

The issue is not that when you make a lot of precision equipment, once in a while something goes wrong. The issue is: are you smart enough to (a) admit there's a problem, accept the cost to make things right and come out looking great...or (b) do you stall, refuse to admit there's a problem, wait for it to blow over and hope your fans are so loyal or uncritical, the damage will be minimal.

Not an exact comparison but ask G.M. and Toyota how things work out when you stall for time. Nikon will probably come out of this better off. The D600 will be forgotten; nobody has been injured (except financially) and they could never afford to buy this much publicity.

Mar 19, 2014*permalink

Unfortunately for Nikon, this is a bad time to learn from their mistakes. Camera sales are going down and this trend not going to reverse itself in many years. There are converging technologies related to image capture, smartphones are gaining market share at a very rapid pace. Nikon is not in the smartphone business, while Sony, Apple and Samsung are. My guess is that Nikon will fall pray of any of these companies because Nikon is small compared.
So, what about a hostile takeover by Sony, is this possible?

Mar 19, 2014permalink

GrantDixon

Seem Nikon could learn a bit from Sony and Fuji. Fess up as soon as you realize there is a problem and offer a solution before you customers learn about it first hand.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Raul

Well done.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Frank C.

political tensions between china and japan heating up over Senkaku islands and now private companies dragged into the fray... -1 for china

Mar 19, 2014permalink

justmeMN

I don't doubt that China's motives were political, but their complaint was valid nonetheless.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

royt84

Since when has China started to protect consumers?

Mar 19, 2014permalink

audijam

they don't....it's just that nikon forgot to pay their dues under the table.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

fotokeena

Just started，with a big bang！

Mar 21, 2014permalink

Joe Ogiba

DPR: 87% Gold Award !

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Frank C.

deservedly so!

Mar 19, 2014permalink

tkbslc

Obviously Nikon sends their oil-free copies to reviewers.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

So, here is a wonderful Ford Pinto, excellent 87% Gold Award!

How come that equipment reliability is not part of the testing and the score?

Mar 19, 2014*permalink

J Frank Parnell

What's stopping you? Build your site and get to it! Or, did you mean you want someone else to provide you that information at no charge?

And this is a flippin' dusty camera sensor. No one is burning to death.

Mar 20, 2014*permalink

HK photographer

Nikon made anouncement to tackle the D600 problem after an US law firm started to gather D600 customers for collective action (it's in the news last month).
Chinese customer protection department didn't pay attention to D600 until some Nikon dealers blamed the D600 sensor problem to the smog, not to the camera. General manager of Nikon appeared in Chinese photo web to clarify the issue afterwards but Nikon China had done nothing to tackle the D600 issue before that -- there was much delay than their action in US. That's why the Chinese felt the discrimination. Same as when Toyota recalled their cars in US few years ago but left the Chinese buyers alone. At the end, the CEA of Toyota had to go to China to apologise.
I nearly bought a D600, so I have been following up the issue of dust. Nikon has been dead slow in admitting its own problem. Nikon, you can only blame yourself. Sadly, some people here have taken this chance to air their view against the wrong target.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

byhyew

I never bought anything Nikon since the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Back then Nikon was gaining ground by leaps and bounds in China, yet they donated a mere 1 million to the quake affected area, while Canon donated 10 times more and heck, even the dying Olympus pulled out 4 million. Just felt morally incorrect to use Nikon and I converted to Canon...

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Osvaldo Cristo

" never bought anything Nikon since the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Back then Nikon was gaining ground by leaps and bounds in China, yet they donated a mere 1 million to the quake affected area, while Canon donated 10 times more " - so that is your reason?

Did you have the idea Canon is much bigger? Actually according to the 2011 figures Canon revenue is 6 times bigger and net income is almost ten times!

...and you? What was your donation?

I think there is better and sound reasons to be considered, as the obvious miscare and prejudice against some "minor" markets.

Mar 19, 2014*permalink

audijam

@ Osvaldo
he already explained his reason can't you see it?

why asking him his personal donation? why does it bother you? LOL

he jumps ship because he felt so....you can stay with nikon forever if you like. stop asking people why and what. typical nikon fanboy...

Mar 19, 2014permalink

sandy b

Thats obvously NOT true. Nikon has had to stockpile tens of thousands of shutters and repair kits to fix these cameras, they purchase them from a vendor who a the same time has to keep up with current demand. The plan to repair the shutters has been in place for a long time, you don't just snap your fingers and have shutters magically appear.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Nukunukoo

But you can snap you fingers and a Sincere, Market-enhancing Apology can magically appear, just like that!

Mar 19, 2014permalink

sandy b

Very true indeed. I hope that is forthcoming. I have my doubts.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

HK photographer

Please don't drag in issues not relating to quality issue of D600 and please don't get personal.

it so happens today that the Toyota issue that I have mentioned is brought up again in news -- US$1.2bn settlement has been reached between Toyota and the US regulatros aftter a 4-year inquiry into reported safty issues.

Mar 20, 2014permalink

Stollen1234

Putin avoiding futur oil embargo so he is filling nikon cameras with oil

sad day for Nikon.. some are reporting Lexar memory card problems on other Nikon Cameras..not to forgett the One nikon model which i labeled as a Dust Collector...it was reported few weeks ago..

Mar 19, 2014*permalink

The "D600 issue" and how Nikon have dealt with it has been like watching a train wreck in very slow motion.

If Nikon had properly acknowledged the problem as soon as it became apparent and dealt with it properly there would have been little harm to their reputation.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

xirik

Apparently, Nikon seems not to understand it.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Just Ed

They COULD have stopped distribution until a revamped shutter was available.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

artistguy

Irony is the word here.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

M Lammerse

A pity Nikon is not in the milk powder business as well, if so they could talk things out much easier for sure.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

i could not have said it better Lammerse! :D

Mar 19, 2014permalink

byhyew

Lammerse, are you sure? Having the Nikon CEO jailed for life like in the case of Chinese milk powder CEO? I wouldn't call that easy...

Mar 19, 2014*permalink

obl97

Does the D600 oil caused 54,000 babies being hospitalised?

Mar 22, 2014permalink

Mike99999

People are a bunch of whiners...

Everyone wants cheap cameras that deliver miracles, and then whine and whine about oil spots, shutter shock and light leaks... acting like little kids.

*** If you want professional performance, don't buy an entry-level camera ***

My D7000 had oil spots all the time. I just wiped them off with a simple lens cleaner kit. It takes 2 seconds. The D7000 is still regarded as one of the best APS-C DSLRs of all time.

And with all the effort in the world I cannot reproduce the E-P5 shutter shock nor the A7 light leak problems that everyone is whining about. Instead, I'm shocked by the level of technology I can purchase at such low prices.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Oh I see - blame the customer

If a camera manufacturer with a (formerly) good reputation like Nikon puts out a > $2K body with their name on it customers have the right to expect it to work properly - and be angry if it doesn't.

If they find they have to make too many compromises in quality just to meet a certain price point then they just shouldn't do it if they want to protect their good name.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

JLX

Correction: "...prone to have defects"

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Nikon I'd going to be swallowed by Sony, it is a matter of time.
Technologies are converging, smartphones are eating baddly into camera profits,
Mirrorless is not selling
In general Imaging companies are at dire straits
Only companies for whose Imaging business is relatively small or buffered can survive
Only companies that produce high quality products can survive, by the way China is no Japan yet
Only companies that cherish their customers can survive,

Nikon clearly don't fit many of the above…
Its a matter of time,

Otherwise, how can they pay all that overhead?

Mar 19, 2014permalink

@Mike99999

Did Nikon ever advertise the D600 as an "entry level camera" ???

The sensor is actually very good - and, except for the debris and oil spattering shutter, the build is almost identical to the D7000.

They seem to have cut corners on QC - and the way they dealt with the issue after it became apparent should become a classic study of how not to handle a problem.

Mar 19, 2014*permalink

ok Mickey, we get it, you are a nikon boy!

i wonder if you would go to a cheap restaurant and they served you some nice hot piec of dog xit for food, you would eat it since it is a "cheap restaurant"?
PS: when in friggign hell is a 2000 euros professional camera(as THEY call it) cheap???
Wake up for the real world!!!

Mar 19, 2014permalink

lka968

the D7000 is another sad strory with the never admitted AF problems of their early productions

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Just Ed

Many "whined" away to Canon, or fuji or Oly.

I had one of the first D600's and sent it back. Had quite a bit of Nikon equipment but sold it off and went to Canon ff. Am glad that Nikon messed up and gave me incentive to change.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

AlexRuiz

lacikuss, it is a little more complicated than that. See, Nikon still has the upper hand when it comes to digital cameras...the Nikon system is superior to the Sony system, which is still in its infancy. If Sony was to acquire Nikon, the future of the Sony system as we know it would be in geopardy, and I am not sure Sony is ready to give that up.
Acquiring Nikon makes more sense for companies trying to get in the digital photography industry. Perhaps Samsung, a company that is not yet heavily invested in their own system.

Mar 20, 2014permalink

One of the core technologies of digital image capture is sensor, Sony already produces and provides the two highest resolution sensors that Nikon installs in its flag ship cameras…

Mar 20, 2014permalink

aftab

I am sure Nikon will learn its lesson. I am sure it will leave its past mistakes behind and be a respectable brand again. For decades it gave us products we all loved. It helped us earn money or just capture the moment or satisfy our creative urges. For decades it made millions of people happy in all sorts of ways.
Wish Nikon the best.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

In the 60s and 70s everything Nikon made was of high quality.

They started making cheaper build cameras and lenses with the EM camera and E-series lenses around 1979.

Mar 19, 2014*permalink

Wish the customer the worst, isn't this fanatical attitud?

Mar 19, 2014permalink

One_Oldman_4U

Where's the D600 made?

Mar 19, 2014permalink

rgs_45

I think this model is made in China. The Nikon factory in Thailand is still trying to recoup from the disaster it suffered a while back.

Would this be a great example of irony? China banning a product made by their very own people in their very own land if the D600 is actually made in China? That will be too funny.

A company that try to save $$$ to maximize their profit by going cheap deserve it IMHO. I will pay a little extra for a quality product. BUT there are not a whole lot of them anymore.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Duckie

It is designed and QC-ed by Nikon. Don't you get it?

Mar 19, 2014permalink

AFAIK the D600 is made in Thailand.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

D600 is made in Nikon's Thailand factory.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Ivan Azzopardi

Keep it up Nikon!!!

Mar 19, 2014permalink

CameraLabTester

Made in China goods are regarded as a bit dodgy and low quality... but for it to reject the camera modell of a major manufacturer... WOW.

Just... WOW.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

SergioSpain

Really? Have you checked to see where your high-end phone or computer is "assembled"? ("assembled" being a euphemism for "made" these days)

Mar 19, 2014permalink

CameraLabTester

Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri lanka, Pakistan, Philippines, Vietnam...

Oooh, and Japan! Of course!

Check your Fujitsu, Nokia, Mitsubishi, Casio etc., and be surprised!

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Apple products - made in China.

Nikon 1 series - made in China.

Thousands of other good products made in China too. Thousands of bad products made in China. Canon 1D MK III - made in Japan. I hit the shutter button the same day I received that camera body a couple of years ago, and I think it's still hunting for a focus lock.

Give your head a shake.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

AlexRuiz

China is capable of producing very high quality products. However, that is not what we (the West) hired them to do. We want them to produce large volume, low cost, low quality products...the Chinese happen to be very good a it also. It is their core competency. But make no mistake about it, the Chinese can produce high quality stuff like the best of them.

Mar 20, 2014permalink

yabokkie

Chinese government responded too late, after D610.
they are slower than Nikon and DPReview.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

HAHAHA! THANKS for the laugh yabokkie!!! :D

Mar 19, 2014permalink

The Chinese government had to step in on behalf of mainland Chinese D600 owners who were still not getting any help whatsoever from Nikon - not even so much as the vague sorts responses that Nikon USA initially provided to U.S. D600 owners who experienced the shutter dust problem.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

yabokkie

I don't think they should ban the selling of D600 but a warning first, then a guidance of replacement of the shutter or whatever parts with compensation/punishment, and at last forced return-refund (or a D610).

Mar 20, 2014permalink

George Veltchev

I think that China's government should rather punished the unscrupulous dealers, and leave the customers to decide should they buy the Nikon D600 .. the rectitude in China often looks distorted ... do not trust fully their solicitude ...

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Monochrom

Selling something that you know that it's no good is always wrong. When you buy an expensive camera you expect it to be functioning properly. You don't wanna find out about a faulty shutter after you bought it, even if there where ways of finding out about that before you did the deal.
I think China is just protecting it's citizen's here.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

yabokkie

it should be good enough for D600 users who have oily dirt issue to return the camera to Nikon and ask for a fully refund.

Mar 20, 2014permalink

Machito

Talk about the pot calling the kettle. China's government is a pack of gangsters. Give me a break!

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Machito

...kettle black." Oops!

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Jonathan F/2

You're all a bunch of whiners. Nikon will fix your D600 regardless of warranty status. I should of bought one on clearance when I had the chance.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

George Veltchev

Go for the Canon 6D ... it is the better camera !

Mar 19, 2014permalink

brendon1000

Sure it is ! Unless you require a built in commander slot, twin SD card slots, better DR, faster fps, more AF points and a 100% viewfinder.

If you don't require all those things then the 6D is the better camera. :)

Mar 19, 2014permalink

JLX

The problem is (according to what I've heard) that after servicing that problem is still there.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

>The problem is (according to what I've heard)
>that after servicing that problem is still there.

Not accurate. The entire shutter assembly is replaced. Problem solved under extended warranty including shipping both ways.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

russbarnes

Anyone that can't see the political motivation of China towards Japan is blind. The problem with the D600 is real but this announcement has nothing to do with Nikon, they just provided the bait. This story is about China trying to damage Japanese commerce, pure and simple. The government owns TV in China and everyone in the West has reported this like lemmings. All that has happened here is that DPReview have perpetuated China's hate towards their Japanese neighbours. Congratulations.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Britzzzilla

But Nikon did walk into this. They should have been on top of this issue from the very first - perception is reality, now more than ever before.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Part of the problem seems to have been the perception that Nikon's Chinese customers were being treated worse than their US and European customers over this.

Global companies should wake up and start giving all their customers a worldwide guarantee and service - and set a global price for their products. The only price difference should be because of local duties and taxes.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

TN Args

87% and GOLD Award from dpreview, your most trusty and reliable guide for picking out the good cameras from the bad ones -- not.

From page 23 of the dpr review:"Something that we've definitely got our eye on though, and which we'll be in a better position to comment on over time, is the D600's apparent tendency to attract sensor dust. We're working with Nikon to understand (and further test) this issue and we'll update this review accordingly as we use the camera over time.".

It is now 16 months since that review, and 5 months since Nikon actually replaced this defective model with the D610, and *STILL* not a word on the dpreview review site.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

AlexRuiz

TN Args, have you considered not everyone had the problem? I for one have a D600, never had any problems. If fact, it is the best performing camera I have owned to date. So from my Point of View, the DP score is well warranted.

Mar 20, 2014permalink

GarysInSoCal

Agreeing with Alex above... also D600 owner with zero dust problems.... the camera takes FANTASTIC images. Canon fanboys need to EXIT Nikon related threads... ;)

Mar 23, 2014*permalink

TN Args

I own neither Canon nor Nikon BTW. Seriously guys, are you arguing the D600 didn't have a problem because not every sample showed it, and ignoring the facts that Nikon saw the need for a new shutter, a new model, and serious issues with warranty?

May 29, 2014permalink

Debankur Mukherjee

....this is why China is ruling the world today.........that's what is called consumer protection.......

Mar 19, 2014permalink

NDaniel

Now Nikon got the bite, after their "stupid" act to ignore "dust" problem on their sensor, now they got hit in one of the most potential market worldwide,

shame on you Nikon, after countless complain and still putting deaf ear to all victim, maybe now you learn something, but still maybe...

Mar 19, 2014permalink

alpha90290

China's consumer doesn't have much protection against rogue dealers. If the incident didn't appear on the news, the Chinese government would not take action. Nikon made a wrong move by trying to dump defective products on their users. Nikon lost is Canon gain.

Mar 19, 2014permalink

NDaniel

Not necessary Canon, may all others brand also gain, this ignorant behaviour from Nikon finally got punished....

Mar 19, 2014permalink

Canon did the same with the autofocus of their professional DSLR sports camera less then 5years ago!

BOTH of them deserve severe punishment for this xity behaviour, but unfortunately the fan boys out there and the average consumer still don't apply it with their wallets!
However, there is hope with Fuji and the likes coming in the game! :D

PS: just so the hatters relax: i have canon!

Mar 19, 2014permalink

ozgoldman

China is a bit of a law unto itself. They do not respect patents etc. I avoid Chinese products like the plague, especially food stuffs. I have been tempted at times to buy from China on line, but once bitten, forever shy.

Mar 19, 2014permalink