I just got my D600 that I purchased to replace my stolen D7000. So far so good. Given that the AF system in the D600 and D7000 seem to be closely related, and all of the issues I had with the AF system in my D7000 -- replaced first body and second had two trips to NY for adjustment, I felt compelled to test the new D600 to see if I would run into similar issues that I had on the 7000s.
Well I'm VERY happy to report that at least initially there do not seem to be any significant AF issues on the body with either a 50mm f1.8G, 24-70 F3.5-4.5 VR, or a Nikon 300mm F4. This was true of both the central AF point as well as peripheral ones.
YAY!!! I did not want to go through that mess again. I also must mention that I'm really liking this camera so far. HUGE improvement in the viewfinder (especially for MF), very good feel in my mid-sized but beefy hands, at least a stop 1/2 improvement in high ISO noise, and while others complain that this is a "crap built" camera, it seems to be me to be just what I expect at this price point (aka 1/2 way between a D7000 and D800) when considering features... and not really very different from the Canon 5D II that I've shot with. Maybe some of these people need to buy one of those new Sony/Hassablads that were announced last week -- all form and glitzy materials...
Cool. Loving mine. I have been doing some focus testing the last couple of days too on moving subjects. I'm a 4th grade teacher and I've been taking it to recess and shooting my students playing football and soccer. It's been doing awesome. Can't post the examples though - students' privacy and all.
Red -- yep this focus chart is very nice and was very useful in (partially) resolving some focus issues with AF Fine Tune on my old D7000 and certainly diagnosing others (boy this chart got a lot of use).
It's a free download on the web from the guy that put it together. I'll see if I can find it, or at least send you a copy directly as I think I till have the file on my home comp.
I haven't shot with the D800, but can confidently say that the D600 has been a BIG step up from the D7000. A lot of the gripes that I have heard -- of the [cheap "non-pro" construction] ilk fall on deaf ears for me. The image quality is tremendous, no issues with AF, ISO performance is at least 1 1/2 stop better -- all in a body that is better built then the 7000, but not tremendously so though. It is great to get all this improvement in something that is still a pleasure to cary in a backpack all day.
Of the other criticisms I can see how the "crowding" of AF points could affect people -- but that's not how I shoot, and while I don't do much video, that inability to change aperture while in live view is a real PITA and an unnecessary crippling of live view by Nikon as far as I can tell.
Nice hearing from you - let me know you have any other specific questions 'bout the 600.
That focus chart look very handy! I was just looking for one myself when I saw your thread. I have a D7000 myself that needs some checking. Please link it if you can or send me a copy too if you don't mind, thanks!
OP, take care with '700' vs '7000' : your opening line has the former re AF,
>> Given that the AF system in the D600 and D700 seem to be closely related <<
but clearly you intend the latter.
ct8282 wrote:
Would love to see the same image but using the left AF point please.
I can tell you in all honesty that all the left AF points work as they should.
I had my D-7000 stolen also!! Trying to decide on the D-600. This will help sway me to the D-600. I tested in the store today , it felt great and images were very nice. Thanks for the data !
JulianDeLaRosa wrote:
I can tell you in all honesty that all the left AF points work as they should.
I can tell you that the D600 has no left AF points. They are all in the center
Sort of true, definitely pretty funny, but also honestly, at least for me, a complete non-issue. I rarely take photos where the my intended focus point is not covered by the AF system or where I cannot afford to focus, move over 1/5 of a screen over and shoot.
