Why I'm switching to the Nikon D600 in 2020 for landscape photography

[@davidsaylors]

This is a great video. The D600 is a workhorse of a camera that takes phenomenal photos. Thanks for taking the time to explain this, because new photogs are being told by the bigger channels that they can only get good photos with the newest gear. Thank you 👍📸

[@MartinCastein]

hey buddy thanks and hope you are doing well!

[@davidsaylors]

@@MartinCastein I am doing really well now, glad to see your channel!!! Sorry I didnt find it sooner, @longrider sent me the link. 👍📸

[@MartinCastein]

@@davidsaylors no thats cool i still watch you mate i will comment more! glad you are doing well thats good, im just getting going with this channel really, going to try and make a full time thing of it soon,

[@Drmikekuna]

Thanks for the video. I am grateful for photographers like you who emphasize using older gear instead of influencers who are always pushing photographers to buy the latest gear. I love new gear, but cameras from 2010 and newer have all the abilities to take pro-level photos. However, older cameras rely more on the photographer to act as the "powerful processor" instead of having processing capabilities built into a silicon chip. I recently did a graduation photo shoot of my son. I took his posed photos the week before graduation using my 5D IV. They turned out great. However, I used an original (circa 2013) Sony RX10 for the graduation ceremony. The arena he graduated in wasn't well lit, and I was far from him. The RX10's focus hunted for some of the photos (due to poor contrast), but I could easily work around that problem using common sense. However, when I saw the images, I was disappointed as some were pretty noisy (shot at ISO 6400). Good news, I ran the files through noise reduction software (Dx0 DeepPrime XD), and they turned out great. In fact, I was shocked at how well the noise reduction software worked; it seemed to add detail... which sounds a bit crazy, but that is what I saw. The RX10 is a 10-year-old camera with a 1" sensor. When combined with some common sense and a little software, older cameras can absolutely do the job. BTW, there was a lady next to me at the graduation ceremony with a modern Nikon "Z" series mirrorless camera and a super zoom lens. In front of both of us was a short glass partition (around 8" high, mounted on a concrete wall). Her camera was vastly superior to my ancient RX10. However, she kept using the built-in flash (we were very far from the graduates), and she also shot through the glass instead of raising the camera up a few inches to shoot over the glass. I tried to start a conversation with her a couple of times with the hope that I could then insert the fact that she needed to turn off the flash and shoot above the glass. However, she clearly wasn't interested in talking to me, and I surmised that injecting my photographic comments would be unwelcome. Better gear does not mean better photos.

[@lazmusic1]

Just the encouragement I needed to feel convinced to get a used D610. Many thanks, Martin.

[@dangermuffin2]

Thanks for taking the time to put this together. It’s hard to find a recent review of the d600. And it’s nice to hear about it from someone who actually knows what they’re takin about! I just bought one online for $460 (usd) and after just one day of messin around with it I’m pretty amazed. It’s my first full frame and it feels like I made a good choice. Thanks for re affirming that lol. Definitely going it to check out you photography.

[@MartinCastein]

Thanks! I hope you will enjoy it! You can see my work at www.martincastein.com on Instagram @martincastein although most work on there is canon or Sony but if you look at my wedding photography @mkweddingphotography on Instagram that’s virtually all d600. I know a KZbin with a portfolio whatever next. All the best.

[@dezmondwhitney1208]

This interesting video was very helpful to me . During the film days, as an amateur, I used a Nikon FM and a Yashicamat 124G. In 2006 I bought a Nikon D80 and I am still using it, liking the colours it gives. It is now time for me to use the few 35mm Nikkor lenses I have and your assessments of the Nikon D600 and D700 have helped me ponder over one of these. A Great video and Thank You once again. 600 or 700, that is the question.

[@noahtruth6554]

I'm an enthusiast who is fortunate to own a Nikon D3, D2xs, D600 and a D7100 along with a host of used prime and telephoto lenses. I enjoy going out and learning to use gear that has the potential to capture more great photos than my abilities are currently capable of acquiring. As life suggest you can learn much from those that have been around awhile. Looks like this is true for cameras also! I've got plenty of old gear that teaches me something new every time I push the shutter button. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@MartinCastein]

Glad to hear this thanks for your comment!

[@CortJohnson]

Nice. I bought D610 for precisely these reasons in particular value for the money. Looking forward to future videos

[@MartinCastein]

Great to hear!

[@cswann8]

1:02 As Ken Rockwell so eloquently put it, some people fall into the category of "equipment masturbators". These are the people that can talk all day about their gear, but couldn't capture a powerful image if their life depended on it. I agree that 10 years ago, anyone trying to make money behind a camera did need to keep up with the technology. I think we're past that now. Megapixel count has been largely an irrelevant statistic for several years now. High dynamic range, low noise and natural color representation make great images, not 40Mb raw files.

[@davyboyo]

I wouldn't have really even considered a d600/610 before watching your videos on it. As it happens I was in the market for my first dslr and a 610 popped up for about 250 usd so I grabbed it knowing it's most probably a decent camera. Holy smokes it's good! The af and image quality have surprised me a lot. I can barely tell the difference between images shot at iso 100 and 1000. Everyone I show pictures of my kids to now are gobsmacked at how good they look! Thanks for the inside tip 🙂😎

[@MartinCastein]

Glad it helped you!!

[@bobbowring1702]

I love my D600 for macro- days out and wild life, I have dropped mine a few times and the battery life is awsome

[@MartinCastein]

its excellent i really like it too.

[@TheMikeharris7]

I used to shoot weddings and portraits about 12 or so years ago. I gave up working professionally but still love to shoot and occasionally even get to display my work here or there. Recently fell into some money challenges so decided to sell my Fujifilm X-T4 and system and replaced it with old Nikon full frame like I shot weddings on. I actually managed to sell my Fujifilm system at a profit because it seems to be in demand these days. I managed to get a D600 and 3 lenses for around $500-$600 (was going to go with a D700 like I shot originally but preferred the higher MP on the D600 - good in case you need to crop - and the SD cards.) So for a fraction of the same thing in an apsc Fujifilm I got a full frame Nikon system that can do many of the same things that I need.

[@chrisbusby4395]

absolutely ,I love my D610

[@msheri619]

I’m sooo glad I found your page. I’ve been looking at cameras. I have the d3200 and like others I have been told that I need to spend a lot of money to be the best. But now I’m at peace to purchase this camera.

[@MartinCastein]

Glad it was useful the d3200 is fine you might want a couple of lenses later but it’s really down to you not the gear. More expensive gear can make your life easier sometimes but in the end you are the photographer regardless of camera

[@msheri619]

@@MartinCastein I have one but I believe it came with the came. My love and passion is portraits, landscape, and food. Do you have a good recommendation?

[@MartinCastein]

For the d600 I’d get the Nikon 85mm 1.8g unless you like to have a lot of the environment in ad well then id look at the 35mm 1.8g and for landscapes the Nikon 16-35 though you could do a lot with just the 35mm you should check out lens review and comparisons because the focal length will affect the look you get and I don’t know what style you like

[@utube321piotr]

@@MartinCastein I would also highly recommend the epic 35mm f/2D lens, works very well w/ all screwdriver bodies

[@skcapture]

A sensible real life comment on latest gear. I too rather spend my money on photo trip and shoot with what ever gear I have. Thanks

[@MartinCastein]

Good for you, we need people taking photos not putting gear on the shelf.

[@AdamJonesPhoto]

Just bought a D600 online store with warranty £400. Have a D700 as well so looking forward to seeing the difference 6 years of advancement makes.

[@MartinCastein]

Hi Adam I had the d700 before as well, the d600 will feel smaller and less heavy duty but it’s the better camera by a fair bit, especially the sensor.

[@fjphoto23]

Bought mine in 2019 used with only 2000 shutter actuations, no oil problems and works fines. Also bought a Z50 and use both. I used the D600 mainly for events.

[@MartinCastein]

Yeah this was my main camera for events it’s really good and lots of light used ones on the market

[@slooob23]

The D600/610 is one of those Goldilocks cameras that is just a joy to shoot with. The features it has work extremely well and the raw output of the sensor is still very competitive with the latest full frame sensors. Regarding landscapes, I've been using the newest version of the Tamron 17-35 f2.8-4.0 on my D610, it is a fantastic lens. The light weight is remarkable, yet it is fully weather sealed and very sturdy. The image output is tack sharp wide open and at every focal length. You might want to take a look at it if you haven't already, they are exceptionally good value and the best landscape lens for traveling light on full frame.

[@MartinCastein]

Interesting I will take a look at the lens I hadn’t considered that before!

[@slooob23]

@@MartinCastein make sure it is the new version though, the old version is mediocre. It went largely under the radar, though there are a few people that have reviewed it (I think Dustin Abbott reviewd it on his channel) Definitely a lot of bang for the buck. The fluorine front element is great for reducing dust and fogging in cold conditions, I've found that very useful when shooting the aurora at night here in NZ.

[@dasmohapatramanish]

Wonderful little review with pros and cons. Would love to see some shots taken by you with your trustee little d600. Thanks

[@dasmohapatramanish]

Subscribed.

[@MartinCastein]

Thanks Manish 🙏 looking forward to getting out again stuck in lockdown right now I’m afraid!

[@dasmohapatramanish]

Am in India. Am stuck too. Who isnt ?

[@MartinCastein]

@@dasmohapatramanish true hopefully will end sooner than later and we can all go out again

[@Vore667]

Just bought D600 19k shots with 3 Af-s lenses 50 F1.8, 17-28 F2.8 and 80-200 F2.8. I used to shoot films, then got original ist*d, nikon 3200 etc. I did not expect this camera to be really major step up. Boy was I wrong. Even some completely random photos turn out beautiful because you can see details of light and dark that are not nearly as prominent shot with inferior gear or phones. Fell in love instantly.

[@MartinCastein]

That’s great to hear glad you are happy with it it’s a camera I really love to shoot it has a special classic sensor

[@martinlawrence8427]

Thanks Martin great review, with pros and cons. Have just bought a D600 from mpb (Dec 2020) for £485 with only 2000 shutter actuations, like new condition. Bargain.

[@samuelsmith6804]

Theres a D610 on MPB right now for £209, looks in great condition. There's a quarter million shutter actuations on it so it's seen some action. But there are others for under £300 with less than 70k. I dont need another nikon DSLR so im not going to buy it. But damn, if you're not that interested in video, what a time it is to get started in photography. Think of lenses you could purchase alongside that D610 for the price of a Z6ii or iii.

[@walterpierluissi1379]

Hi Martin, I am just an amateur landscape and wildlife; I am 63 right know and recently I have purchased the cameras i want it to have for long now... I was an owner of the Nikon D70 and then D100 and the D300, before that I owned an F4.... Like I said I bought two used and in excellent conditions cameras, a D500 with the Tamron 70-300 VC and a Sigma 150-500 OS, and also a D600 with some lenses for landscape.... I am enjoying them every time I can, well I am not retire yet but in my way to it in couple of more years... Really like your video on the D600, makes e feel that I did a good move... Thanks and HAPPY SHOOTINGS!!!!!

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you!

[@CTE-6000EagleVeryHeavyFighter]

Just ordered a D600 with a 28-200 off amazon japan. Fingers crossed. Hopefully will replace my D5100 without issues.

[@MartinCastein]

Hope it works for you !

[@CTE-6000EagleVeryHeavyFighter]

@@MartinCastein thanks Martin

[@nick0is0ace]

Hi Martin, great video. I've recently just upgraded to the D600, my first full frame, having previously had a Nikon DX Crop camera. Can I ask, are any of your recent Instagram pictures taken with the D600?

[@MartinCastein]

Hi Nick not in there but you can see my wedding Instagram @mkweddingphotography almost all on there is d600, I can’t get out enough at the moment.

[@nick0is0ace]

@@MartinCastein Great, I'll check it out. Thanks, Martin.

[@tombain5665]

Hi Martin. I really enjoyed your comprehensive but down to earth presentation. I'd like to pick your brain if I may. I am about to buy my first FX camera and probably the 610. Probably deciding factor is your review. I love my old D300 ergonomics and was seriously considering a D700 over a newer mode,. Could you give your opinion on one or the other and will I see substantial benefits from FX over DX. I live in the Lake District scenery and holiday photography is my subject matter. I have a couple of FX primes an old Tamron 24 and 50 mm 1.8 D. Given my interests would you have any experienced views on the 24-85 and 24-120 VR lenses you could share? Many thanks Tom

[@MartinCastein]

Hi Tom, i think you would see the best improvement with the D610 due to the increase in megapixels and dynamic range for landscape photography. The sensor in the d610 is really excellent and competes well with pretty much any camera now still. The only downside with the D610 is that you dont get an exposure preview, in the sense that you dont see your exposure on the screen on the back in live view, you just get an automatic exposure that the camera shows to you. If you can live with that id get the d610 and the 24-120, the 24-120 is very good for a large zoom range and very practical.

[@tombain5665]

@@MartinCastein Martin many thanks for the unexpectedly immediate response, I've just this minute returned from Muncaster fell in the sunshine with beautiful panoramas mainly winter brown. No one big panoramic interest and I found myself using the long end of my DX zoom looking for an image within the bigger image. This would not have been possible with 24-85 without serious cropping. So the 24-120 would have been better with 24mp. And also more reach on my D300 with ultimate resolution not being my be all and end all paradigm. Image strength is still king for me. I used to push process black-and-white white film at development and magnify small portions of the negative image to get grain like golf balls. Very arty ha! I liked the D700 option for that reason. But you have persuaded me that the 610 24 to 120 is the way to go. Looking forward to watching your other videos. Many many thanks. Tom

[@MartinCastein]

Thanks Tom, good luck with it, the d610 is a fantastic camera with an excellent sensor in it.

[@juiceplanet147]

Funny you mentioned the Nikon D600 & Canon Mk ii , I have both. 😁

[@MartinCastein]

haha snap, i like both cameras a lot.

[@MartinCastein]

haha snap, i like both cameras a lot.

[@W9SSSRadio]

Hi Martin..thanks for the great insight to the Nikon 600D. I'm going to buy one in the next couple of days..My interest is not commercial use but for Nightscape and Astrophotography. I thought about a nice prime lens..50mm 1.8G type lens. Im on a limited budget ( SS ) and would appreciate any insight on what lens you would recommend for this type photography..Thanks. David

[@mikaelbiilmann6826]

Thanks for pronouncing it the correct way. The 'merricuns say "Nai-kon" which drives me crazy. I have a D600 and a D5300.

[@MartinCastein]

Haha I know thanks for your comment

[@MJohnson-qp9he]

Hi Martin, it seems 16-35 on a full frame is very wide at 16. Does that cause any kind of distortion issues? I like taking photos of buildings and use a 24mm lens but sometimes can’t get the frame I want. Thanks for doing videos; they are very helpful

[@MartinCastein]

well it has some distortion yes but you can correct in editing, i think youd find it very useful for buildings.

[@georgesmith3022]

i want to buy a used d600 but I am afraid due to oil spots. How can I check if it has the problem?

[@MartinCastein]

You take a photo against a grey wall then there is a function to check for dust spots in lightroom, you can search for dust spot check lightroom on KZbin to find out how. Make sure you buy from a shop with a returns policy for used cameras or just buy a d610 which is a d600 with the oil issue fixed

[@kevinridley8883]

Hi Martin you have D600 would you go for a D610 , just i am looking at both & can't make my mind up ? any advice ?

[@MartinCastein]

Only difference is d610 fixed oil issue, if it’s a good price get the d610

[@Nenad9785]

Nikon D800 has problem with moire, but very good camera

[@chriscaarnold]

I have some old 35mm cameras and lenses. Just got a d600 so i can put old lenses on digital body. Its impossible to luv a d600 as much as a fm3a or f, f2, f3, fe Great tool though

[@MartinCastein]

That’s fair!

[@davidcollins4227]

How many shutter auctions has you D600 done and have you ever experienced the sticking mirror problem with it?

[@MartinCastein]

i think its around 545k now on 3rd shutter, the mirror has been fine, if you are in the UK id suggest contacting fixation uk about repair and see how much they will charge as they are authorized nikon repair facility.

[@davidcollins4227]

@@MartinCastein That’s awsome. I’ve just purchased a brand new D610. I have a D700, D200,D300S , Canon 6D and Fuji XE3. But thar D600/610 just handles very fine detail so well and the dynamic range is 1st class and it’s a joy to use. I had a D610 for 3 years and sold it, but miss the camera and when I look back on the images I had to buy another. Wow 3 shutters , that’s averaging 170 a piece 👍

[@MartinCastein]

@@davidcollins4227 David, I dont blame you buying another, certain models of camera are special, id put the d700 in that as well. My cameras were for weddings so they got ripped to bits really but also like a trusty side-kick if that makes sense, i couldnt ditch this one its my first d600 and ive just replaced shutters on it when they go.adds up but its a work expense too. Enjoy your camera David im sure it will be good for you.

[@davidcollins4227]

@@MartinCastein agreed , they are a special camera. Like you said , the D700 also fits into that same category, Mine has only 11k and mint. My D300S has 878 shots and looks brand new. Quality like this isn’t coming back IMO. Quick question, how much did it cost to replace the D600 shutter?

[@MartinCastein]

It was £180 if I remember correctly. Not a big deal to have done although expensive it’s worth it then camera can go for a long time

[@longrider9551]

Often simple is best

[@malekkinos]

I bought a brand new Nikon D600 in 2012, the camera had the oil spots issue. I sent it to the nikon lab in my country (Turin).. They sent the camera back... exactly with the same problem. I contacted the lab and they said " the camera now is fixed! no oil issue anymore. That's dust, your fault, bad maintenance". End of the story. I'm stuck with the Nikon because all my lens, but they completely lost my respect.

[@MartinCastein]

write to their head office they should fix that for you still. If not write it on twitter and tag Nikon USA in it and youll probably get better feedback. Nikon didnt seem to handle this very well at all for you.

[@malekkinos]

@@MartinCastein I will try, thank you for the advise...

[@mckiki4029]

One of my best shots is with a Canon 50D with a 50mm 1.8. It was my 2nd day at college where we were given a task to shoot portraits around the Glasgow city centre of people working. I forgot my camera that day and was given the 50D - I had no clue how to use the camera but within 20 mins figured it out and shot a beautiful photo of this old man playing a Stroh Violin. He honestly looked like something from a Steve McCurry photo. The image looked fantastic before I even processed it, even just from looking at it on the tiny back screen. I was so excited to get it back to class to edit. To this day I still believe the photo would not have had the same aesthetic had I shot it with the D750 I had at the time. It’s just the way it rendered the colours and tones, it was almost film like

[@drblakeslovick4607]

Where can I see your image work?

[@MartinCastein]

Hi blake, www.martincastein.com and instagram/martincastein

[@michaelkaercher]

That dust spot nonsense was for me always a couple of influencers which tested their newly generated power

[@MartinCastein]

Was blown out of proportion

[@Thorsanbauer]

What's your d600 shutter count since it's the one you shot the most on

[@MartinCastein]

not sure but probably over 750k

[@Thorsanbauer]

@@MartinCastein rated for 150000. Ho le shite!

[@MartinCastein]

@@Thorsanbauer oh ive had the shutter replaced a couple of times though!

[@Thorsanbauer]

How much does that cost

[@MartinCastein]

@@Thorsanbauer its about £150-180 GBP depending on the camera.

[@jeepjoseph9036]

As a 16 year old kid, i figured a d750 for 500 bucks wouldnt be bad. Not dissapointed, replaced my 150k actuation d3500

[@MartinCastein]

How did you get a d750 for 500? That’s good going.

[@RamblingTog]

I'll give Nikon a miss, haven't they recently announced big job losses

[@MartinCastein]

I think if you are just going for their older gear it will always be around so doesnt matter so much, I really like the D600 so even if Nikon went bust that wouldnt have much effect on me. I do think that they will pull it together but they need to really start to innovate the way canon and nikon have dragged their heels is inexcusable.

[@abdul_sattar_9271]

Have you ever thought about getting a Nikon D850?

[@MartinCastein]

Yes I have I think it looks like the best dslr of all time all things considered. I’ve bought a z9 recently though.

[@Obeijin]

2022 ....

[@MartinCastein]

Still using it

[@Obeijin]

@@MartinCastein I am ...

[@MartinCastein]

Me too

[@juiceplanet147]

Nikon D750 low light autofocus is way better than the D600.

[@MartinCastein]

yes it is, i preferred the files out of the d600 though, i found the d750 tones a bit weird at times.

[@MartinCastein]

although ive never really missed any shots with the d600 i agree though the d750 focus is for sure better

[@C2CDisciple]

@@MartinCastein wife used a d610 for years shooting weddings and has upgraded to using two d750's and noticed better low light & autofocusing...I still use a D600 with much success as a second shooter. Her D610 got an oil spot and I'm still clean as a whistle on my sensor...agreed on the test shots knowing my manual settings will usually nail exposure pretty quick...always heard other reviewers stating D600 goes blind in low light where I have had good results...love the battery life. Use Tamron 15-30mm 2.8 & a Nikon 20 ai 3.5 lens for landscape when shooting wide. Looking at the mirrorless especially the Nikon Z6II but present kits are really quite good with all the F glass we have already. The D600 has been very good especially for the price used...great value.

[@MartinCastein]

@@C2CDisciple similar findings to me then, i dont recall really missing any shots with the d600, its always done well, the z6ii will be outstanding i think, although i do wonder what i would do that i cant now. for now anyway ill be back on the d600, will use what i have for now i think, take care!

[@juiceplanet147]

Millions have the lastest I'm the gear does all the work. No prep, insight,not using the whole frame in worst of all il absolutely no care in the world about controlling the light. 😂I respect photographers who don't have G.A.S.

[@drblakeslovick4607]

There was a time when the photographer was better than the gear. Not so today.

[@MartinCastein]

i agree, i think its become a bit of a race to get the best camera without much focus on the actual work. thats not true of everyone of course.

[@drblakeslovick4607]

A watch many KZbinrs just stand in one position with models in just click away. It's really hilarious. But I get because for most of them the reward is a "Liked"

[@だいすけ課長-t6o]

Using D600 in 2024.