Boom Tish Boom Tish Boom Tish Boom...

That's the sound of the Nikon Marching band swinging into the street ahead of the new D600 camera - it has just been announced on the net, and Nikon Australia is going to send us our first shipment at the end of next week!


Normally you have to wait for ages after a manufacturer lets out the news, but this time they've done it right - got the stock into Australia before striking up the band. Here's what the new camera is like:

1. FX - that's full frame sensor - 24 x 36 mm. All the mathematics on your Nikon lenses is simple. They are  what they are.

2. 24.3 megapixel sensor. It can also dial down to 10.8 megapixel if you want to use your DX lenses on it.

3. ISO runs from 50 to 25,600. In that range the native speeds are 100-6400.

4. Same Expeed processor as the D800.

5. 5.5 frames per second.

6. 39 point AF system.

7. Full 1080 HD video.

8. 2 SD card slots.

9. Audio monitor jack for the video recording.

10. USB 2.0 interface.

11. Magnesium top and rear castings and a polycarbonate front plate. Think of the construction of the D7000 and you'll be right on. The weight of the body is 760 grams ( As a comparison, the weight of the D800 body is 900 grams.

12. Internal and electric drive for all Nikon lenses.

The camera has two access settings on the mode dial that let you dive into user-customized menus sets - again think of the D7000 layout. Very convenient for people switching between jobs at short notice.

Now, the price. We are going to sell the camera body alone for $ 2595 - if you want to purchase it as a going concern with one of the new 24-85 lenses you can get the package for $ 3295. Saul asked me to point out that the basic camera body price breaks down to $ 2359 ex GST if you are one of the people who is going on holiday and wants to get money back at the airport.

Of course, as soon as we say one number there are folks who will rush to their computer and find someone somewhere on the planet who will say a lower number. They might forget that there can be a whole string of extra numbers attached to that - shipping costs, importation costs, insurance costs... and they might well miss out on one of the VERY imporrtant numbers:

If you purchase this camera from an authorized Australian Nikon dealer - like us - you get a two-year no quibble Nikon factory warranty. You get to deal with actual people over an actual counter, and we are hoping that after the end of next week those actual people are going to be us, right here.

Who is this camera for? For enthusiasts who finally want to get the definition and tonal richness of an FX sensor. People who want to shoot wide with their historic Nikon glass. Photographers who want to carry a lighter full-frame DSLR. Pros who use a Nikon D3, D3s, D700, D800, or D4 and need a back-up camera body nestled in their camera bag - this is the life-saver body. People who want a full-range do-it-all camera that won't date.

Good for me? Yep. Good for you? Come in after the end of next week and have a play and find out. Bring an SD card and shoot up a storm in the shop and look at the results on your computer.

Band! By the center, forward march! Boom Tish Boom Tish Boom Tish Boom....