UPDATE 2: Here’s a video of Jeromy Young (the illustrious CEO of Atomos – maker of the Ninja) showing the D600 + Ninja 2 combo working at 100% at Photokina: https://vimeo.com/49862540. Very promising! (Thanks for the links Cheesycam, Herbert & Chris). Looks like I’ve probably just missed something in the setup. I’ll update this post when I know more.
UPDATE 3: Atomos and I have been discussing this issue, and it appears there is no current resolution known on their end. Cheesycam noticed that the live view image in Jeromy’s Photokina video was not moving, and thus not actually being fed from the D600. It was a mistake on my part to assume the unit he had was working properly. At this point I would suggest that we all reach out to Nikon and inundate them with requests for a fix to the 95% output size problem and the live-vew aperture problem ASAP. Otherwise, this camera makes a lot less sense for a second shooter (at its current price point) in video work.
NIKON CONTACT INFO (inside the US):
support@nikontech.com
(800) 645-6687
http://support.nikonusa.com
UPDATE 4: Nikon has finally sent me a brief, albeit non-conclusive, response via email. See the post here: https://blog.iamron.com/photography/d600-update/
UPS just pulled up and dropped off a brand new D600 — the greatest thing since the D800. I have to say, right out of the box, the camera looks and feels like a precision machine. Nikon really pulled out all the stops on this “budget camera”, at least on the surface. Even in the IQ department, it seems they have outdone themselves. And of course, being a hybrid photo/video shooter (more than ever these days), I was thrilled to have a third option in Nikon’s lineup for a serious VSLR.
I was very pleased to hear at the time of the announcement that the camera supports uncompressed HDMI out just like the D800. So, you can imagine my horror (and surprise) when, after diving into all the settings, I connect my D600 to the Ninja 2 and see a black frame around the entire frame. What?!?! Could it be that they REALLY only offer 95% display output size, and not the 100% output size found on the D800 and D4? At first blush it appears so. I cannot find anything online to contradict this conclusion, and certainly can’t see anything in the settings (nor in the manual) that offer a fix.
I would hate to think this is nothing more than Nikon crippling this body so it doesn’t “cannibalize” their D800 sales – that could very well qualify this as Nikon’s worst “best camera” ever. I hope it’s simply an oversight (or a bug), as it is a detail they should be making VERY clear for users BEFORE they drop $2k+ on Nikon’s latest camera.
I’ll keep digging around and see if I can prove myself wrong. I’m hoping I can, because if so, this camera could be an amazing thing. Do you have the D600 and an external recording device such as the Ninja? If so, what has your experience been like?
See those black bars around the perimeter of the Ninja screen? Not a pretty sight at all!
UPDATE 1: It looks like Nikon knows about the problem, at least if this cryptic message is to be understood as a warning of this phenomenon. This is just weird (notice the footnote):
This does not inspire confidence…
I’m looking into buying a new camera and getting into the full frame segment. Since my budget doesn’t allow and my needs don’t justify me buying a D800 or 5D Mark III level camera, I thought of getting the D600 or 6D. According to many reviews/previews, it looks like I would get more value for the money with the D600 even though the 6D comes with built-in WiFi and GPS.
But man, the crippled/missing aperture setting in Live View / Video mode is really a deal breaker for me. Even my wife’s older Canon XSi allows aperture adjustments in live view. And it definitely looks like Nikon did this absolutely intentionally. When you look at the user manual for the D600 (http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D600_EN.pdf, page 58) and compare it to the manual of the D800 (http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D800_EN.pdf, page 60), then you can tell that this was planned.
Are firmware hacks common for Nikon cameras? Does anyone know of a software like Magic Lantern for Nikon?
Well, I guess if the aperture issue is not fixed and if the autofocus on the 6D sucks (bc of Contrast detection and too few AF points), I’ll just buy a good APS-C camera like the 60D and enter the FF market later.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for the great blog!
I wonder if the just announced DX lens D5200 has the same issue? Then you’d know if it was by design (assuming that has a clean HDMI output at all).
The lack of aperture control in LiveView on the D600 is being fixed: http://nikonrumors.com/2012/11/08/upcoming-firmware-updates-for-nikon-d600-and-d800.aspx/
Maybe the Crop is being fixed as well.
You’ve probably tried this already,… I read about this issue couple weeks ago (sorry do not remember where or from whom)… “they” said if you disable recording to the SD cards and record only to the external device that you will have full screen.
I do not own a D600, but considering the purchase…
will
months later, no firmware updates, no change in any of the d600 limitations .. avoid it (cheap construction too) and go canon .. or if lots of nikon lenses, go d800 .. and buy a new computer to deal with the file size.
I bought the D600 in late December. Love the camera! Takes great pics. Would recommend to anyone. Great camera especially for the price. The only thing I don’t like (but can live with) is the shutter noise when taking pics.
will
This is one bit of good news:
http://nikonrumors.com/2013/04/02/nikon-releases-new-firmware-upgrades-for-the-d600-and-d800-cameras.aspx/
Unfortunately the Live View aperture bug still remains ….
The update does not allow you to change aperture during live view ! 🙁
That’s because it’s not a bug. I guess Nikon made this intentionally because D600 is not a “pro” camera. 🙁
Like many others I’m thinking about entering FX market. So Canon 5d is too expensive and d800 filesizes…woah man, just think about the workflow-impact… so both are no go’s. but the D600 would be great (even if shutter speed is “only” 1/4000, AF-field is small, body is only part-magnesium….) all possible to live with (for that kind of price) but: live-view bug (or planned to “save” the D800??) is so terrible…
I ask myself (and others): is is possible they’ll fix this with next firmware-update or will this never change? (definitively a show-stopper to “provide” a lot of money for body+glas to Nikon…..
Sounds like the issue with the Ninja devices is resolved, then, with that firmware update you posted? (Or perhaps I am misunderstanding.) If the black box flaw has been resolved, it would be awesome to see the D600 in action. Thanks for the heads up, Ron!