Nikon's first available full frame: D600 diagnostics

The Nikon D600 (2012) brought full-frame photography to a wider audience, offering incredible value for money. A 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor at a price significantly lower than the professional D3S and D700 has attracted a huge number of buyers. However, the D600 went down in history for another reason: early batches of the camera suffered from the well-known problem of oil stains on the sensor caused by lubrication of the shutter mechanism. When purchasing a used D600, this must be taken into account.

Nikon officially acknowledged the problem and provided free service. But not all cameras passed through the service, and some that passed could again encounter contamination. Combining mileage checks with service history is a must when purchasing a D600.

Shutter life and history with oil stains

The D600 shutter is rated for 150,000 guaranteed actuations. The problem with oil stains was typical specifically for the early thousands of operations - the shutter was “grinding in” and scattered drops of lubricant onto the matrix. After replacing the shutter (which was often done under warranty or according to a service bulletin), the problem usually disappeared. High mileage cameras (50,000+) have usually gone through this period and are working reliably.

EXIF counter and service history

The hit count is stored in the MakerNotes NEF and JPEG block. For diagnostics you need the original file from the memory card. When purchasing a D600, it is also recommended to request service history from the seller.