Nikon USA, Holiday Season Discounts, 2021

The sales mostly started on November 1. Probably due to the IC chip shortage and manufacturing difficulty, some of the discounts are not as deep. Most of them run through November. I assume Nikon USA will have an update for December.

 

https://www.nikonusa.com/capturesavings/Capture-Savings-Instant-Savings-Promotion.pdf

 

Sale Items - Cameras, Lenses, Accessories, & Optics | Nikon

Drat, only the Z6, not the Z6ii. Same with the Z7 and Z7ii. So looks like they are clearing old inventory.

And no 24-120/4.

Guess I will wait to see what the December update might be.

 

I was hoping for a sale price on a Z6ii + 24-120/4.

There are also Nikon discounts in Europe, many lenses have 50-200€ reduced prices until Jan 17. Also there are reduced prices on camera bodies and kits, though percentage-wise the reduction is not that large. Edited November 9, 2021 by ilkka_nissila

The Z-mount 24-120mm/f4 S is not even shipping yet. And there is still IC chip shortage so that it is unlikely that we'll see discounts on recently introduced items, i.e. within the last year or so. In the US, the first-generation Z6 and Z7 are constantly on discount now, but other discounts such as the Z5 is not as deep this round. A few months ago, Nikon was selling the Z5 at $1000 for a few weeks.

 

The deeper discounts are on F-mount products. Nikon will continue to support DSLRs, but IMO it is unlikely that Nikon will ever introduce another new F-mount body or lens. The focus has shifted.

For what it's worth, I'd expect the D850 to be replaced with another DSLR, as it continues to be popular and yet it doesn't support USB-C charging which is likely (to my understanding) soon to be required for any camera (or table, or mobile phone) sold in the EU market. The D780 and D6 both have USB-C connectors but the D850 is much more popular. Now that I think about it I am not sure if the D6 can be charged via USB-C. I didn't find anything about it in the manual, so probably not.

For what it's worth, I'd expect the D850 to be replaced with another DSLR, as it continues to be popular and yet it doesn't support USB-C charging which is likely (to my understanding) soon to be required for any camera (or table, or mobile phone) sold in the EU market. The D780 and D6 both have USB-C connectors but the D850 is much more popular. Now that I think about it I am not sure if the D6 can be charged via USB-C. I didn't find anything about it in the manual, so probably not.

Not familiar with the new laws in the EU, whether existing models are grandfathered in (i.e. the new rule only applies to newly introduced products, not to the continue sales of existing models). In any case, if necessary, Nikon can always introduce a D850S, whose only difference is that it has an USB-C connection instead of the D850's micro-B, and you can charge the battery inside, probably an EN-EL15c. I doubt that Nikon will invest R&D money into more DSLRs, which will have a hard time competing against used DSLRs and of course mirrorless bodies.

 

What kind of tables require USB charging? :)

 

On a different topic, Apple's iPhones are in some trouble with the EU regulations too, since iPhones use an Apple-specific Lighting connection, while the EU prefers USB-C. At least the iPads have switched to USB-C.

Edited November 9, 2021 by ShunCheung

I meant tablets, like ipads etc.

 

I recall reading from a newspaper article that Apple have been negotiating with the EU and apparently are unhappy with the requirement for a common charging connector standard required by the EU in its proposed legislation. In addition, the EU are demanding that the charger is not included with the product to avoid the accumulation of many chargers in people's homes and offices. However, it was suspected Apple might in the future only offer wireless charging, in which case they can probably bypass these rules. I can see where the problem is arising as at least my home and office are full of all kinds of incompatible power supplies, chargers, and cables. It's very annoying that where there is some standardization, the standards change every few years. For example there are so many different USB connectors. Even with USB-C there are issues, for example, my desktop computer's USB-C port refuses to work with my Sony CFExpress reader.

BTW, between November 19 and 30, Nikon will discount the Z5 by $400 again, making it $999.99, as they did back in April this year: https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/nikon-z5-below-1000-in-the-us.5525043/

Generally speaking, Nikon's 2021 Black Friday sales are not as deep as they were a year ago. Some deals have returned such as the $1000 Z5 deal that first appeared in April 2021, and the F-mount 24-70mm/f2.8 E AF-S VR is once again $500 off at $1600. However, the D850 is only $300 off at $2700 vs. $2500 last year: Nikon D850, New $2500 [sale Ended]

 

And there is no more free grip for the D850.

 

Overall, the sales are more limited and the discounts are shallower in 2021. That is not surprising due to the on-going IC chip shortage and manufacturing and shipping difficulties as a result of Covid.

 

When Nikon discounted the D850 to $2500 last year, there were speculations that Nikon may introduce another D8nn DSLR as its successor. That didn't happen in 2021 and at this point, I am further convinced that Nikon will never introduce any new F-mount body or lens (except perhaps some anniversary, special editions). My last DSLR is actually the D850, along with a 500mm PF. Both of which I bought in January 2019, and I thought those would be my last F-mount purchases. So far that is holding true after almost three years.

I'm hoping to get a14-30 Z lens. Dealer says discount ends Nov. 30. No idea if or what discounts might be coming after that but I'd hope they have something on sale for Christmas.

Generally speaking, Nikon's 2021 Black Friday sales are not as deep as they were a year ago. Some deals have returned such as the $1000 Z5 deal that first appeared in April 2021, and the F-mount 24-70mm/f2.8 E AF-S VR is once again $500 off at $1600. However, the D850 is only $300 off at $2700 vs. $2500 last year: Nikon D850, New $2500 [sale Ended]

 

And there is no more free grip for the D850.

 

Overall, the sales are more limited and the discounts are shallower in 2021. That is not surprising due to the on-going IC chip shortage and manufacturing and shipping difficulties as a result of Covid.

 

When Nikon discounted the D850 to $2500 last year, there were speculations that Nikon may introduce another D8nn DSLR as its successor. That didn't happen in 2021 and at this point, I am further convinced that Nikon will never introduce any new F-mount body or lens (except perhaps some anniversary, special editions). My last DSLR is actually the D850, along with a 500mm PF. Both of which I bought in January 2019, and I thought those would be my last F-mount purchases. So far that is holding true after almost three years.

 

I can't see Nikon gives much discount for the D850. After the $2500 sales the D850 was in short supply and Nikon priced the refurbished the same $2996 as a new D850. They just got some in stock but I doubt that they have too many that they have to put on a sales at all. At this point whoever wants the D850 will pay the price. Most potential buyers for the D850 may be looking for the Z7ii or Z9.

I'm hoping to get a14-30 Z lens. Dealer says discount ends Nov. 30. No idea if or what discounts might be coming after that but I'd hope they have something on sale for Christmas.

I bought my 14-30mm/f4 S two years ago, with the same $200 holiday discount as it is available again right now, for a final cost of $1096.95. (If you factor in inflation, it should be cheaper now than it was two years ago.) I don't know what you are waiting for. The current discount cycle ends on November 30. I am sure Nikon will have discounts again for December, but they may shuffle some of the items.

 

If you want that lens, I would get it now since it is in stock (at B&H, at least). Nikon may renew the discount for December, but I don't see it getting deeper. And even so, most stores would let you make a "virtual return" and resell you the same lens at the new, lower price.

Fear not, my name is on one locally. I just have to get over there and pick it up.