Nikon released their D600 digital SLR model in March this year, but just as quickly the reports and complaints started to flood in of faulty parts. According to many users, the D600 had an issues that allowed oil and dust to build up on the sensor, resulting in images with smudges and marks on them.

Users were so outraged by Nikon’s lack of communication, a number of law firms have filed suits against the company on behalf of irate photographers.

“Nikon did not identify the cause for the debris buildup on the D600 sensor, nor acknowledge, as many consumers have alleged, that this is a widespread problem with the camera. To eliminate the unwanted and distracting spots in their photos, D600 owners have had to repeatedly send the camera to service technicians for cleaning at great inconvenience and cost,” a filing from law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein states.

After the furore and many court room filings later, Nikon over the weekend admitted that there is a problem with the units and set $17.7 million aside to address it.

“With regard to the issue of the D600 digital SLR camera that we announced on March 28th, 2014, we allocated 1.8 billion yen ($17.7 million) for warranty reserve in the year ended March 2014 to cover the cost of repairs and replacements,” Nikon said.

The company added that they aren’t taking the complaints lightly, and realise that it could damage Nikon’s reputation.

“We are taking this matter very seriously, and we will continue to offer users of the D600 a special service and, while we will be taking steps to restore confidence in the Nikon brand.”

[Image – Flickr Creative Commons]