chuck Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 <p>I just went to the Best Buy at Fairfax, VA, and saw the 80-400 now listed in-store for $1,489. It does not appear to be a fluke, because the store is out of stock, and associates checked on their system and transferred the lens at this price from a different store without any sort of price override. <br /> This price is not advertised on the Best Buy website, where the lens still list for full price. It also still list for $2,696 at B&H. <br /> I don't know what the story is and why the lens is so heavily discounted in the Best Buy. Perhaps they intend to make room for the 200-500VR. Perhaps they have advance information that Nikon will discontinue or replace this lens soon, although I tend to doubt that.<br /> If you are looking at this lens, or are considering this lens as an alternative to the 200-500, you may wish to call your local Best Buy and see if the lens is available for this quite remarkable price. It is apparently an in-store price only.<br /> I naturally bought the lens from Best Buy at this 45% discount. I bought the 200-500 partially because 8 0-400 was too expensive at the list price. Now I will have the opportunity to test these two lenses agains t each other in detail.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Doo Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 <p>Chuck, there are two versions of the 80-400 lens. The new one - "AF-S" is the key word - is the more expensive one. If you have ordered it or already have it, please double check. The old one is not very good. I hope you lucked out with the AF-S version. :)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 <p>Hi, Mary, it is the new AFS version. I also could scarcely believe it.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 <p>According to Nikon_rumors, this has been going on for a while, at least since the weekend. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Doo Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 <p>Good for you Chuck! I was skeptical because the $1,400 price is just about the price of the older version which is still available somewhere.</p> <p>One more time: You are sure the description says "AF-S" <strong>NOT "AFD"</strong>, right? ;)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 <p>Hi, Mary:<br> That's right. It says AF-S. It also says so in the confirmation email from Best Buy.<br> Also, although out of stock for sale, the store still had the lens for display, with the price label of $1,489 under it. The display lens is most definitely the new AF-S N version without the aperture ring. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Doo Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 <p>Congratulations! Think they will have to honor it even if it turns out to be an error on their part.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Clemmons Photography Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 <p>I don't think it is an error. I also saw it at my Best Buy store here in Birmingham, AL for $1489. I don't understand it either. I wonder what Nikon has to say about this.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 <p>B&H still has it at $2696.95: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/936121-REG/nikon_80_400mm_f_4_5_5_6g_ed_vr.html<br> And so does Amazon.</p> <p>I always feel that the 80-400mm AF-S is way overpriced, at about $1000 more than its predecessor. However, the 200-500mm/f5.6 is underpriced, although it needs to compete against the Tamrom and Sigma 150-600mm lenses.</p> <p>It looks like the low price is unique to Best Buy. Not sure whether it is some error or there is special case or it could be gray market, which I don't think Best Buy normally sells. For those who want this lens, get it from Best Buy before anything changes. I don't think it will go further down from there.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quoc_minh_dang Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 <p>I checked the Best Buy in Huntsville, AL and they don't have it. Also they're not aware of any deals on the lens!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 <p>The 16-35 f/4 VR is currently $629.99 at the same Best Buy. That's a 50% discount from the normal list price. Other lenses still have their normal full prices.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_brown4 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 <p>Too good to be true? I just checked the 16-35/4 on bestbuy.com and it's $1259.99.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 <p>It's not available on line. It is in-store purchase only. I believe the deal is only available at those Best Buy stores which normally stock these lenses.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck Posted October 26, 2015 Author Share Posted October 26, 2015 <p>The deal seems to be over. I went to a Best Buy at Rockville, MD. They still have the low price labels on their 16-35 and 80-400 display lenses, but their inventory system no longer show the lenses at the labeled prices, and they refuse to honor those prices.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now