removal of the AF-On button is not so much the removal of it .. it's more a case of the non inclusion of it.
Same goes for the D600 series, and was a major deal breaker for me at the time.
PS. Tamron's VC is pretty much silent(at least on the 24-70VC).
I've tested all my stabilised lenses(sounds like a lot but in fact only 3 of them!
). All tests with both on board mic as well as separate tests with a (old and cheapo) shotgun mic.
Nikon 105VR .. sounds the worst of the lot. Not too bad to the naked ear .. but on video it's just above an annoying level.
Nikon 18-105VR .. not as bad but still at a point close to unusable. You can hear it operate enough to wish you had turned it off.
Tamron 24-70VC .. unless you're in total silence, you won't hear it engage at all.
The difference in the sound of both AF and VR if you have a shotgun mic is marked enough to make it worth considering.
Of course the problem is in having access to one if the video is just a spontaneous moment.
The only lens I've used so far for any video work, real video .. not just for the sake of seeing how it'd work .. is the T24-70VC.
Of course the search for a good cheap and easily operated external recorder is under way at my end.
.....
Good to see you finally plunged!
One question on the handling front too tho .. is the camera limited in any way if you have male hands and have pick painted nails?
ie. are there any specific limitations to be weary of if those conditions are all met at the same time.
It concerned me that the D600's smaller form factor(
cf the D800) I may have had pink fingernail issues. The larger size of the grip and the camera on the whole of the D800 hasn't raised this concern tho.
PPS. now that you have a new cam .. we should try to arrange another meetup. People are always more interesting when they have new gear to show me