Nowhereman Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>After reading most of the threads on this lens and the responses to my questions <strong><a href="../nikon-camera-forum/00Tf0h">in this thread</a><strong></strong></strong><strong><strong></strong></strong>, and particularly seeing the picture that Sean Crane took hand-held in western Uganda of the l'Hoest monkey, I'm beginning to think seriously about buying the 200-400/f4-VR lens. I handled one in the main Nikon store in Bangkok a couple of weeks ago, but the price there was US$7,200, about US$1,000 more than the current US price. However, looking at US internet stores it seems to be out of stock everywhere. Does anyone know where I could get this lens and the price, as I'll be going to the States in about a week?</p> <p>—Mitch/Paris</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>B&H had it in stock a few weeks ago for $5900, but it looks like the price has gone up again to $6300 and is now out of stock.</p> <p>If you are serious about getting this lens, check with Helen Oster from Adorama: <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=3913334">http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=3913334</a> or Henry Posner from B&H: <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=18908">http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=18908</a> and see whether they can help you.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd peach seattle, washi Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>When I rented one in June, the guy at Glazers Camera (Seattle) said they were in extremely short supply. He attributed it to Ritz camera filing for bankruptcy and defaulting on a large sum of money owed Nikon. Therefore Nikon has less money to "fire up a run" of these limited run lenses. I thought it was interesting, unsure if it's true. He said Canon also had to suck up a "large loss" due to Ritz, but Canon being a larger company can diffuse the loss across more product.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryp Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>While I cannot say the shortage of 200-400mm f/4 G-AFS VR lenses is Ritz's fault, the fact is our Nikon buyer added a note to the product database saying it was temporarily unavailable with no estimated date when we can hope to see more.<br> <img src="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images150x150/300488.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Pretty though, isn't it?</p> <p>Henry Posner<br /> <strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p> Henry Posner B&H Photo-Video Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt miller cambridge, ia Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>There are a couple of used ones for sale at Fred Miranda Forums. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>Thanks for the info, Henry. There is indeed a shortage for a lot of Nikon cameras and lenses. Part of that is probably due to the transition to newer models, but the general explanation is that because of the global recession, Nikon greatly underestimated the demand on their products so that they cut back their production by too much. Hopefully Nikon can rectify that shortly.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christiaan_phleger___honol Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>Um, yeah, going to have to wait. Those big and pretty ED elements take a long time to make, and of course everyone wants it perfect.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borgis_karl_johan Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>There is one for sale in Gothenburg/ Sweden on the "Blocket" auction site right now, supposedly in absolutely new condition. Price works out around 6700 USD though, might be lowered a little according to the text. No idea about custom fees. But if you MUST have one right now...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltflanagan Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>Wow. Back in February Thom Hogan was talking about 10-30% price increases due to the yen/dollar exchange rate. I bought my new US 200-400 from B&H for $4999. Seems like a bargain now...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nowhereman Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>Thanks all. I'll just have to wait — good thing that I'm not in a hurry.</p> <blockquote> <p>There is one for sale in Gothenburg/ Sweden on the "Blocket" auction site right now, supposedly in absolutely new condition. Price works out around 6700 USD though, might be lowered a little according to the text. No idea about custom fees. But if you MUST have one right now...</p> </blockquote> <p>There is import duty on still cameras and lenses in the US.</p> <p>—Mitch/Paris</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bishop Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>I ordered mine at Henry's in Canada and had it in 1 week. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jose_perez3 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>Mitch,<br />If there wasn't a shortage or run on this lens before, there will be now that you brought it to everyone's attention. This is like saying some bank maybe in trouble. The bank may have not been in trouble. But as soon as the bank denies it is in trouble, all hell will break loose and everyone will be standing in line to get their money out of the bank. In your case, everyone that can afford one of these lens will now be ordering one. I hope you are in no rush to get your hands on one of these lenses now. Just get in line : )</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony_bez Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 <p>They are in stock at numerous dealers in England from £4,400.00.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Smith Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 <p>If it's any consolation, Canon top of line lenses are in somewhat short supply too. I looked at the 200-400 VR the other day. Now THAT is an impressive and very useful lens!</p> Robin Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travishoover Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 <p>Jack's Camera in Muncie, IN lists it as in stock for $6,299:</p> <p><a href="http://www.jackscamera.com/activex/productDetail.asp?productno=38215">http://www.jackscamera.com/activex/productDetail.asp?productno=38215</a></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nowhereman Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 <p>Travis:</p> <p>Thanks, that's very helpful I just spoke to Jack's Camera and am buying the lens on Monday when I'll be back in the States.</p> <p>—Mitch/Paris</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 <p>Mitch, I hope you have put down a deposit so that they'll hold the lens for you.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travishoover Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 <p>Glad I could help!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nowhereman Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 <p>Shun, thanks. I just arrived in the States and called and bought the lens, which was being held for me on he basis of Friday's phone conversation from Paris with the dealer. Of course, this lens is a very low-volume items, which why the "run on the bank" analogy of Jose, if it was serious, simply did not make any sense.</p> <p>—Mitch/Potomac, MD</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 <p>Excellent. I was a bit concerned that other people who also read this thread could potentially get it ahead of Mitch.</p> <p>I am sure Mitch appreciates Travis' help.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nowhereman Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 <blockquote></blockquote> <blockquote> <p>I am sure Mitch appreciates Travis' help.</p> </blockquote> <p>Absolutely, that's why I thanked him above — there's no way I could have found this without Travis' post alerting me to it. This experience also shows how useful this forum can be.</p> <p>Incidentally, I looked all over the net and found one listed as available at Samy's camera for $5,900 but when I called I found out that this was out-of-date. One appreciates internet sellers who keep their availability information up-to-date, as B&W, for example does.</p> <p>—Mitch/Potomac, MD</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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