http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Pub...-image-quality

3rd highest score ever at 94, just behind D800E/D800

Yea, I pulled the trigger and bought one yesterday. I haven't gotten to play with it much but so far I'm impressed as hell. Of course, I've never had another full frame DSLR so my frame of reference is my D7k, D80, and kodachrome slides from about a decade ago.

I was saving for a D4. Now I don't know. I wanted a "flagship" camera for once but the D600 is a 1/3 of the price with a good feature set and a good bump over my D700 on many levels.

Originally Posted by Qarik I was saving for a D4. Now I don't know. I wanted a "flagship" camera for once but the D600 is a 1/3 of the price with a good feature set and a good bump over my D700 on many levels.

If you don't shoot Olympic sports or wedding photojournalism, the D600 is pretty much perfect for anything, even many types of professional work. For the price, I'd go for it!

=Matt=

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville If you don't shoot Olympic sports or wedding photojournalism, the D600 is pretty much perfect for anything, even many types of professional work. For the price, I'd go for it! =Matt=

the only thing I was concerned about was the focus point selection..no more dial on the back. I thought it was going to be menu driven..but actually it's just 2 switch flips instead of one. Then these DXO benchmarks....

Originally Posted by Qarik the only thing I was concerned about was the focus point selection..no more dial on the back. I thought it was going to be menu driven..but actually it's just 2 switch flips instead of one. Then these DXO benchmarks....

I'm not sure I understand. Are you talking about the D600? Can't you always move the focus points around any time you want using the directional pad?

If you're talking about the dynamic AF switch, that is a setting that has changed on ALL new Nikons, and it just takes a little getting used to. I do prefer the old system but that is only because I have been shooting with it for years and it will take me time to wrap my mind around the new system. It's more versatile this new way, though, as you can access the other AF options for AF-C etc. whereas before you had to program that into a custom button.

=Matt=

Originally Posted by Qarik I was saving for a D4. Now I don't know. I wanted a "flagship" camera for once but the D600 is a 1/3 of the price with a good feature set and a good bump over my D700 on many levels.

I'd go for it. I think the D600 looks like the first sensible upgrade for D700 owners if you don't want to deal with 36mp. 24mp seems just right, and 16 wouldn't be a very significant upgrade from 12. I've had a Canon 1DIIN, I wouldn't want to carry a D4 around all day or bring it on family outings.

Originally Posted by jmphotocraft I'd go for it. I think the D600 looks like the first sensible upgrade for D700 owners if you don't want to deal with 36mp. 24mp seems just right, and 16 wouldn't be a very significant upgrade from 12. I've had a Canon 1DIIN, I wouldn't want to carry a D4 around all day or bring it on family outings.

Me, personally, I think that 24MP is the sweet spot in sensors right now. Plenty of resolution...great ISO...upgraded electronics...

I'd sure like to see it in a D700 upgrade...with all the pro buttonology of the D700. I've grown very fond of the D700/300 on camera controls. But, as it looks now...not going to happen...now that they have a 24MP, D600 in the Amateur category.

I'm sure a D600 paired with any of the Nikkor 2.8 lenses would deliver killer images...

I sure hate to move up...and am not planning to upgrade anytime soon, but I can see the handwriting on the wall...to many guests shooting newer, better equipment...ugh!!!

I'm just a little early in the development cycle. I don't know what they'll be shooting weddings with in a few years, but I can't see image quality getting that much better...

Certainly not using mega-pixels anyway....

Oh well...just pondering what's next...

I'd sure like to see it in a D700 upgrade...with all the pro buttonology of the D700. I've grown very fond of the D700/300 on camera controls. But, as it looks now...not going to happen...now that they have a 24MP, D600 in the Amateur category.

Exactly my feelings as well. I was realy hoping for the 700 replacement, and this smallish plastic thing isn't it for sure. Seems like a gaping hole in the lineup to me.
My recent snag of a almost new D3x is looking better by the min. Also renforces my thoughts that the 24ish size is just right.
Gary

I picked up my D600 yesterday. The D7000 is my reference. So far so good, except I really hate the swapping of the zoom buttons versus the D7k. And the operating manual is twice as thick as the D7k. I have a baseball game tomorrow evening, so I will see how it does then.

I am bummed about this camera. It would be great if it had more focus points. I wish I had even more sometimes with the 51 point system. Ahhh someday!

IMO there is still no true replacement for the D700.

Originally Posted by Zerodog I am bummed about this camera. It would be great if it had more focus points. I wish I had even more sometimes with the 51 point system. Ahhh someday! IMO there is still no true replacement for the D700.

Ehh. Give me ~30 points, and spread 'em out like a DX viewfinder. With cross-type points all over the edge. Hell yeah!

=Matt=

Originally Posted by jmphotocraft I'd go for it. I think the D600 looks like the first sensible upgrade for D700 owners if you don't want to deal with 36mp. 24mp seems just right, and 16 wouldn't be a very significant upgrade from 12. I've had a Canon 1DIIN, I wouldn't want to carry a D4 around all day or bring it on family outings.

Absolutely not. At least not having gotten used to the controls and customizations of semi-pro flagship bodies.

I've poured over the D600 design and customization / control options, and I don't think it even comes close to replacing the true functionality of the D700. It is an amateur DSLR with a huge leap forward in image quality, that's it.

The D800 is the replacement for the D700, for now. There is room in the lineup, and a market for, an "affordable D4". The problem is simply that Nikon needs to capitalize on their D4 sales, just like they capitalized on D3 sales for a year before bringing out the D700.

The D600 is an amazing camera. The sensor is incredible, and I'm happy for Nikon and I think the camera is perfect for many types of shooters. But it is completely un-usable for 90% of what I use my D700 for. (The 90% that pays my bills, mind you)

=Matt=

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville Ehh. Give me ~30 points, and spread 'em out like a DX viewfinder. With cross-type points all over the edge. Hell yeah! =Matt=

I agree - went to take a look at the D600 yesterday and it's surprising just how much smaller the coverage is compared to the D7k

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville Absolutely not. At least not having gotten used to the controls and customizations of semi-pro flagship bodies....

Fair enough, I just thought if one was craving a FF Nikon with more than 12mp for significantly less than $3000, the D600 is the only answer.

Originally Posted by jmphotocraft Fair enough, I just thought if one was craving a Nikon with more than 12mp for significantly less than $3000, the D600 is the only answer.

D7000? And believe me, 16MP is a noticeable jump from 12. Especially with the gains in dynamic range.

Originally Posted by Qarik the only thing I was concerned about was the focus point selection..no more dial on the back. I thought it was going to be menu driven..but actually it's just 2 switch flips instead of one. Then these DXO benchmarks....

It had me buffaloed too for a few minutes. Finally downloaded the manual and found the setting to allow manual control of focus point. It does control via the rear multi-selector just like before/D700, as I remember it.

Renting, BTW~

Originally Posted by angevin1 It had me buffaloed too for a few minutes. Finally downloaded the manual and found the setting to allow manual control of focus point. It does control via the rear multi-selector just like before/D700, as I remember it. Renting, BTW~

Woops, spoke too soon...that only works in MF mode! Back to reading~

Take the camera's AF out of "auto" and set it to AF-S or Af-C single point(af/m switch plus front command dial). You cant adjust focus point when the focus mode is in full auto.