It seems like releasing a product without proper testing has become a norm for some camera manufacturers like Nikon. You would think that after all the recalls, service advisories and lawsuits, manufacturers should be thoroughly testing equipment, preferably giving the equipment to real photographers who use and abuse their gear for a living, before trying to market and sell it. Nikon specifically has gone through so much bad press, that one would think it is time for the company to think about its long term strategy with releasing products. Looking at the past few years, it seems like almost every major product announcement has been followed by a plague of service advisories. The Nikon D800 / D800E cameras were definitely the spotlight of the industry, except almost every camera was impacted by the infamous Asymmetric Focus Issue. Nikon went quiet on that one for a while and never truly confirmed the issue.
Then came the D600, an entry-level full-frame camera, which made the entry to Nikon’s full-frame world much easier, thanks to its low price point. It seemed like a deal of the century, except when its dust issues started to surface. We covered the issue extensively and Nikon again decided to go silent. To quickly remedy the situation and replace the bad D600 units, the company announced the D610 shortly thereafter. Then it got hit by a class-action lawsuit, which put a huge burden on the company, as it started replacing existing D600 units with the D610.
From there Nikon introduced the D810. Packing a lot of new features, updates and fixes to the D800 / D800E, the camera looked like a real winner. I pre-ordered mine as soon as I saw the announcement, as it had pretty much everything I wanted to see on my D800E. Shortly after the announcement, photographers discovered a rather serious thermal issue, which damaged long exposure shots with white dots, which were tough to clean up in post. Again, the service advisory required shipping the camera to Nikon for repair.
Next, the Nikon D750 came along. The camera looked like a winner – a balanced full-frame sensor, a high-end AF system in a lightweight package. Until the flare issue came along. While I personally did not get bothered by the issue and never sent my D750 for a repair, I know a lot of others did, because they did not want to have a camera with a known problem on their hands. Sadly, many did not realize the type of work that would go into adjusting of the phase detection system and re-calibration. In many cases, taking care of the flare issue resulted in poor AF accuracy and other issues. Disassembling a DSLR and making adjustments to mirror or phase detection mechanisms is not easy and even a skilled service technician could potentially screw things up.
And this has been going on and on, one announcement after another. Not only have these issues been impacting cameras, they have also been seriously impacting some lenses. The Nikkor 300mm f/4E VR is a good example of this – I never even had a chance to complete my 300mm f/4E VR review, as I could not find the darn lens anywhere – Nikon silently recalled all 300mm f/4E VR lenses everywhere and performed service repairs on the lens. B&H still lists the lens as a “pre-order” item, because it never carried enough stock to begin with. It will soon be a year since that lens is released and it is practically impossible to find, unless you pre-order and wait.
Today we have yet another release disaster by Nikon. This time it is the newly released Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E VR, which seems to have focusing issues. Although Nikon in its service advisory only states that it is a firmware issue, you cannot update the firmware on Nikon lenses yourself. Like before, you have to send your copy to a Nikon service center for this firmware update, as detailed in the advisory:
To users of the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens
Thank you for choosing Nikon for your photographic needs.
Nikon will implement a service for updating AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens firmware. Details regarding implementation of this firmware service are as follows.
Firmware update details
We have confirmed that with autofocus shooting using the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens, autofocus may sometimes become disabled and focus operation switches to manual focus* when the zoom ring on the lens is rotated while the camera’s shutter-release button is pressed halfway, or the camera’s AF-ON button is held down.*Autofocus operation can be restored by pressing the camera’s shutter-release button halfway again, or pressing the camera’s AF-ON button again.
To address the occurrence of this, we will implement a service for updating AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens firmware.
Updating lens firmware
Those who would like to have their AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR firmware updated may take or send their lens to a Nikon authorised service center, where the firmware will be updated free of charge.Identifying lenses with which the firmware has already been updated
Firmware in lenses with a serial number of 2008365 or higher have already been updated.Requesting service
Please direct inquiries regarding this matter to your nearest Nikon Service Centre or create a Free Service Returns Request.
There you have it. Yet another failure on Nikon’s behalf to deliver a working, issue-free product. And the worst part is, if you don’t follow the news or occasionally check the manufacturer’s website, how would you even know about these service advisories?
It seems like delivering a badly tested product is becoming Nikon’s custom now.
Moral of the Story
Yes, new cameras and lenses are indeed exciting. When a new gadget comes out, we often have the urge to go and buy it – I often find myself doing it too, so I know exactly how it feels. However, given the many failures we have seen and the recurring pattern of such failures, isn’t it time for all of us to learn that we should NOT buy something when it just comes out? Camera manufacturers want the consumers to be the guinea pigs – they leave the testing for us, as they are cutting corners everywhere they can. And that’s what we all are to them anyway: consumers.
Stop pre-ordering products, no matter how good they look. Give it some time and don’t rush. Make a wise choice and don’t be a binge shopper. Stop following websites that bring the urge to buy. Some sites hugely benefit from bringing excitement about a product before it is officially revealed, so if you are a part of that gang that hangs out in forums and talks about the latest and greatest camera or a lens, it might be a good time for you to get disconnected from that world. Go out and shoot, enjoy the tools you already have today…
As for Nikon, I will be honest – it is getting extremely difficult to hang on to Nikon. It is not the company I personally want to support anymore, for the above reasons.
Sorry to open this old thread again, but the story is so sad: now, in Decembre 2016 I got my copy of an 200-500 from Calumet Germany. Next day I went to NPS Düsseldorf because I was not satisfied by IQ of this lens. They made a Firmware update (more than one year after announcing the solution), “repaired” the AF unit, adjusted VR and AF. 14 months (!) after the problem has been known they sell the same old pieces.
The 58/1.4 I bought at the same day was also adjusted because the AF was not in tolerance.
Joke of the day: the NPS guy told me that they don’t have quality issues normally, should be an exception. Are they kidding? Are we clowns how spend our money to them?
Thank you Nikon, I think that I have all I need for the next years.
Thanks for this article. I’m at a stage where I’m just about to switch from a high-end compact to a mid-line DSLR, but due to the rise of the mirrorless the market is a bit confusing at the moment, so I take my time. Good to know that I should probably stay away from Nikon! It’s really a shame, especially that photo gear is super expensive. Many people save up for months or even years to get the gear they dream of, and they get a faulty product for their hard earned money?! Utter disgrace. Wonder why Nikon doesn’t care about its reputation.
You are making a decision on one disgruntled user’s comment? Nikon makes superb equipment. But just like $200,000 cars anything made by man can have a problem. I have been using Nikon exclusively since 1974. The only problem I have ever had was promptly taken care of by Nikon at no charge.
Nikon, Canon, Sony, Hasselblad, etc. have all had issues of one sort or another. If you ability to be a discerning purchaser is so limited, I would stay with the point and shoot.
The idea is that the cold outside air will have a much lower level of humidity than any inside air. I have not yet experienced any condensation inside a bag as long as I did not open it before the camera warmed up (I usually wait overnight). With the thin plastic bag you can feel the camera body temperature right through the bag.
Here is one link: www.the-digital-picture.com/Photo…ation.aspx
Another: www.adorama.com/alc/0…raphy-tips
One more: shuttermuse.com/cold-…ct-camera/
HTH
Hi Bob H
Thanks again. Read that putting a light cloth or towl over the camera overnight also helps.
If you put the camera inside the plastic bag, won’t the condensation form on the inside of the bag as well?
The best dexterity glove to operate a camera I could find was Outdoor Research’s Versaliner.
Hoping to take some good photos in the Swiss Alps.
The Lowepro may provide some protection, but what you are trying to do is allow the camera to come to room temperature so that condensation does not occur. If you think the Lowepro zipper is tight enough you may get away with it. However, a cheap plastic bag (not a ziploc bag due to its stiffness) tied tight at the end is added protection at no cost.
As it might take overnight to warm up the camera, be sure to take the battery and CF/SD card out before putting the camera in it’s air tight compartment as opening it to get these items out negates the whole maneuver.
An extra battery is better than a grip. This way one battery can be kept at body temperature. When and if you note a drop in performance, swap batteries.
As a sidenote, I have been in the field with my D-810 for up to three hours in near 0º F temps with lots of juice available and no need to swap to either of my two spares. I still carry them – just in case.
Hi Nasim (from New Zealand)
I recently bought a D810 and the new 24-70mm VR and the “old” 105mm micro lens. After 6 years of plodding along on my D5000 & kit lens and 85mm micro lens, I finally took the FX plunge – please tell me I did not make a mistake.
I also release there’s no perfect company out there.
The above FX setup will be really tried out in winter conditions soon with lots of snow. Any advice regarding gloves or no gloves?
Thanks
WJP
The only mistake you seem to be making is to even consider photographing in freezing weather without hand protection.
I use my D810 in near oº F. temperatures without difficulty. Be sure to keep in a plastic bag when you come inside to prevent condensation on or in the camera. I take my CF card and battery out before I place in plastic bag so I an begin recharging and processing before the camera comes up to room temperature.
Also, get an extra battery and keep it warm as the cold will affect battery life.
Hi bob H :)
Thanks. I have a pair of TNF Patrol gloves, but they are not suited to fine handling of camera gear.
I also intend to use a Lowepro 70 or 75 toploader; would this not negate the use if a plastic bag?
I also have an extra battery (budget did not allow for a battery grip) :)
So I’m looking at getting the 750… would a new one have the same issue that the old ones had, or will it be fixed already!?!
I would be very surprised if Nikon hasn’t addressed the issue(s) with the cameras they are building, as it has been a year since its release.
Regarding the Nikon 200-500 firmware correction.
You say that models already dealt with and fixed have a serial number higher than 2008365
Is this for any certain country or any country, i’m looking into this lens.. and now i’m starting to worry whether i should be going for it or not :/
I’m in Australia, so would that very same serial suggestion be valid here ?
Well, last week i bought the new 24mm 1.8G… huge front focus, impossible to use, great disappointment of course… i gave it back to Nikon, they repaired it and now it works great with my Nikon D750…. and yes i also had to send back my D750 to Nikon for the flare issue AND the shutter issue…
I’m tired of Nikon.
I know it’s another world : I am a Leicaist and I never had any trouble with my 1949 IIIc, my 1960 M3 or my M6. I jumped to the M typ 240 two years ago and I am more than happy with it. Yes it is manual focus, expensive (but I still use lenses 20 years old) and it gives a physical pleasure, hard to explain. This good review is horrifying !