I'm sure glad I looked deeper into the issues the D5100 was having. I can't believe that these defective cameras are still being sold as "new". What is Nikon thinking. By nature, the Japanese will not admit to making a mistake and fixing it. This isn't funny. People are getting burned with their purchases and no one is doing anything about it!

This back-focusing issue with the D7000 that seems uncorrectable even using the in-camera fine tuning adjustments "maxed out" is intolerable and cannot be ignored. This dead pixel and oil/smudge marks on the new Nikon-built cameras (i.e.D600) is mind-blowing. Maybe Nikon is just ignorant of the effects reviews such as these will have on their product sales, I don't know, but it really seems sad that they would treat their loyal customers with such apathy and malcontent. It's like their doing us a favor by even answering the phone to hear about consumer complaints, even though they portray their guarantee as genuine and sincere. So many long-time Nikon enthusiasts are turning their loyalties elsewhere (Canon, Sony, Panasonic etc.) and I can see, that unless something is done immediately, a growing number of both pros and just ordinary photographic consumers will be joining other ranks. It could be that the production out-sourcing to foreign countries is responsible for this fiasco.

Building the mechanical film cameras from the past didn't require that constant attention necessary today. The shutter, aperture, and mirror were the main concerns with these early builds that we all remember as being the flagships of their respective brands and their highly respected reputations were built with millions of users and billions of photos. The same is not true with these "new" designs. The digital age has opened a brand new "can of worms" so to speak, with huge obstacles and problems to overcome. Gone are the days with the open window assembly lines and mass production tactics of the previous century. These new cameras are actually photon sensing computer driven processing machines that require constant quality control and a fixed sterile environment, that suddenly seems to be lacking in the Nikon facilities. So, lets let Nikon know that we are aware of their stance and highly object to being duped by them.

If I had a dollar or a pound for every one of these threads I've read, I'd be retired and living in a mansion in the Caribbean.

A small number of any manufactured product will have defects - to guarantee 100% defect free products would push product prices to a point where nothing would sell. So manufacturers compromise by implementing quality control processes to enable economic manufacture with an acceptable defect rate.

Digital camera resolution is now at the point where focus is critical to guarantee sharp images. Autofocus depends on the camera and the lens both being within sufficiently close tolerance for everything to work. If that tolerance cant be met, soft images will result and adjustments are needed to correct it. That's why AF fine tune was invented. Sometimes it isn't able to correct the issue and a proper calibration is needed. That doesn't make it a certainty that the camera is faulty, only that one particular camera body doesn't work with one particular lens.

Sensors get dirty, period. Interchangeable lenses, and lenses which push and pull air during focusing or zooming will allow dirt, dust and oil onto your sensor. The upshot of it is that sensors need periodic cleaning. Live with it.

There's a suggestion that a small number of Nikons have had issues with oil on the sensor originating from the shutter mechanism. As far as I am aware, Nikon hasn't officially acknowledged the issue, but from what I've gathered any bodies returned to them with the issue have been fixed under warranty.

I've been using Nikons for years and am now on my fourth and fifth digital bodies. I've had no issues at all with any of them.

Hey wabbit, if you would like to compare credentials it would make me happy as a coyote that caught a roadrunner.
I guess you you didn't know that Nikon has shifted its call center out of the USA this year so you cant talk to somebody at the actual factory service center without going through a South American country first?

I guess you didnt know factory repair times have been running around 11 weeks turnaround?

I guess you didnt know Nikon won't sell parts to you, me or ANYONE else Including B and H that is not an authorized service center.
This often includes something as simple as a battery door.
No, you have to send it off and pay a ridiculous price to have "NIKON" install it!

I guess you haven't heard of the parts shortages from Nikon where many people have had to wait more than 6 months to get their cameras repaired?

I guess you haven't heard that Nikon is no longer making parts for several DSLR's that are only a few years old?

I guess you haven't read this?
http://www.change.org/petitions/nikon-inc-keep-selling-repair-parts-in-the-usa-as-they-have-always-done

I guess you didn't know that at least two State attorney generals are considering/planning lawsuits againts Nikon for unfair trade practices?

I guess you have not read this?
http://www.la.bbb.org/business-reviews/Commercial-Products-Manufacturer/Nikon-Inc-in-El-Segundo-CA-25750

Point is, I could go on and on but I think even a silly rabbit will understand that things are not right with this company.

Have just purchased my 4th Nikon, the D7000 and essentially the ideal camera for me. This will more than likely be the last camera I will purchase in my lifetime since it has all the bells and whistles I need plus about 20 more. I have never had to call Nikon or for that matter even had to take one of my cameras into my local dealer to ask a question. Most of the problems I've had have been answered right here by knowledgeable folks who know their s--t. I've had my d7000 for a little over a week and at this point have not used it in a paying situation because I want to go through the manual about 5 times and am waiting for B&H to ship me a battery grip in return for a trade in which takes a week or better. I really don't mind because my D3100 has worked flawlessly and the main 2 reasons I bought the D7000 was for more FPS and it's low light capability which has blown my gourd while I've been playing around the house and yard. Since I've never dealt with Nikon I can't knock their customer service which is a good thing. You want a real experience in inept customer service try dealing with Dell some day---They'll make you appreciate every issue you've had with anyone. I can't speak in regards to Nikon but as far as alot of these companies are concerned IMO we all got screwed once they outsourced everything overseas and now it's coming full circle to bite them in the azz............