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Seems Birddog must be selling plenty of stuff..............

the nikon 70-200VR is a GLOBAL out of stock situation, i know Birdy has mentioned this before but my need / deisre to obtian one is such that i contacted places all over the net and even a higher priced UK distributor to see if anything is available here. They (Warehouse Express) claim to typically hold 50 on stock, as it stands they have orders in for 43 with back orders on Nikon for 59, apparently only 8-10 per month are landing in the UK for the forseeable........

Apparently the situation is similar for D70S, Canon 350D and 20D, Canon 70-300 lenses and the Sigma 70-200 2.8...........

Looks like this digital malarkey is even more popular than the manufacturers dared anticipate.........

Let's hope that incredible demand doesn't result in manufacturers taking quality shortcuts in order to meet market pressure....

And the 80-400VR too.
Not enough internal parts to assemble or manufacturing these two lenses due to the lack of parts of VR mechanism used in them and other problems from the outsources/ contractors.

Edit: Expected after June 06, stock will be back to normal if Nikon does not discontinued this line.

70-200 and 80-400 s - make sense given its the same internals - can only guess that nikon users have waited so long for the equivalent to Cannon 'IS' that they are going shopping on a wholesale basis now the lenses have proved themselves (seem to recall reported softness issues with VR stuff when first launched??)

B&H PHotos currently has it in stock, be quick they won't last long ...

chris1968 wrote:70-200 and 80-400 s - make sense given its the same internals - can only guess that nikon users have waited so long for the equivalent to Cannon 'IS' that they are going shopping on a wholesale basis now the lenses have proved themselves (seem to recall reported softness issues with VR stuff when first launched??)

Who knows, they all may buying VR & IS internal parts from same contractors or outsources the same bloke, same as Ford and Holden using parts from one contractor as Tristar Engineering.

Birddog114 wrote:And the 80-400VR too.
Not enough internal parts to assemble or manufacturing these two lenses due to the lack of parts of VR mechanism used in them and other problems from the outsources/ contractors.

Edit: Expected after June 06, stock will be back to normal if Nikon is not discontinued this line.

June 06!!!!!!!!!!!!! - that is crazy but guess it makes sense if its true teh UK is only getting 10 a month with such big back orders......
i 'need' my for october 05, guess i look for one 2nd hand or get say an 80-200 2nd hand whilst i'm in the queue for the 70-200. Guess i should commit to a queue somewhere as well........

gMaster wrote:B&H PHotos currently has it in stock, be quick they won't last long ...

Landing cost in Australia is well over AU$2600.00

chris1968 wrote: but my need / deisre to obtian one is such that i contacted places all over the net and even a higher priced UK distributor to see if anything is available here.

Birddog .. he is willing to pay $$$$$

Here is the link.. Its the proper US stock not import.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=ShowProduct&is=USA&Q=&O=&sku=274780

gMaster wrote:B&H PHotos currently has it in stock, be quick they won't last long ...

as in the American outfit? cheers for that gMaster - i'll go look but i did look last night and all variants - black / grey body and USA / grey stock were listed as back orders......

gMaster wrote:

chris1968 wrote: but my need / deisre to obtian one is such that i contacted places all over the net and even a higher priced UK distributor to see if anything is available here.

Birddog .. he is willing to pay $$$$$

not quite $$$$ - SWMBO will only let me sell one lung ............need is not THAT great but i have a first commission early in october which would be much easier with the 70-200 - its a portrait shot but the family want 'natural stuff' so have suggested i follow them around the local park.......they are 'friends of friends' but its still 'in a the deep end'!!
Just have to stay close with my Sigma 24-70 2.8.........and keep my money in the bank......

chris1968 wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:And the 80-400VR too.
Not enough internal parts to assemble or manufacturing these two lenses due to the lack of parts of VR mechanism used in them and other problems from the outsources/ contractors.

Edit: Expected after June 06, stock will be back to normal if Nikon is not discontinued this line.

June 06!!!!!!!!!!!!! - that is crazy but guess it makes sense if its true teh UK is only getting 10 a month with such big back orders......
i 'need' my for october 05, guess i look for one 2nd hand or get say an 80-200 2nd hand whilst i'm in the queue for the 70-200. Guess i should commit to a queue somewhere as well........

Anyone buys the 70-200VR now at the high price are not smart!
-Buy the Sigma 70-200 for over 1K, use it 6 or 7 months, by that time when the 70-200VR back to normal status, buy the 70-200Vr at under 2K, sell or ebay the Sigma with the price tag of $800.00, you won't lost much.
The difference in between two lenses are not big and most of people has the tripod and it's VR.
- Who knows, Nikon may discontinue this 70-200VR line and introduce the 70-300VR, then if you buy the 70-200VR now at the high price tag, once you want to upgrade to the new 70-300 VR, guess! how much will you sacrifice with the lost.

I knew a guy, who got the 80-200AF-S for few months and upgraded to the 70-200VR, he lost 50% of the value of the 80-200AF-S.

After visiting Birddog tonight I am now thinking why bother waiting for this lens.
The only difference is the shocking price it's selling at for the option of VR which I'm now thinking I wont need as most of the time the lens will be on a monopod/tripod and firing at a shutter speed of 1/500 to capture my sports shots.
The money I'll save from the 70-200VR + TC1.7 compared to the Sigma 70-200 + Tele 2.0 will allow me to buy the 12-24DX
So 2 lens for the price of 1 plus some spare change and a bit extra oof with the Tele 2.0!
The images from members on this site tell me there's no difference in quality that my eye can notice.
I'm still going to think this one over the weekend but it's juicy thought to mull over a few reds!
Time to check some reviews on this lens.

Birdy - the joys of the strong £ - assuming BH do have stock the 'landed price' to the UK = £950 which is £230 cheaper than the best UK price, unless, of course i get hit with the tax......

Still, may well be better to look at the sigma, a 2nd hand 1 will be cheaper still.......

It would appear that B&H now have the Nikkor 70-200VR for US$1630 which tonight (before potential import tax issues) works out to be AUD$2118.

Paul wrote:After visiting Birddog tonight I am now thinking why bother waiting for this lens.
The only difference is the shocking price it's selling at for the option of VR which I'm now thinking I wont need as most of the time the lens will be on a monopod/tripod and firing at a shutter speed of 1/500 to capture my sports shots.
The money I'll save from the 70-200VR + TC1.7 compared to the Sigma 70-200 + Tele 2.0 will allow me to buy the 12-24DX
So 2 lens for the price of 1 plus some spare change and a bit extra oof with the Tele 2.0!
The images from members on this site tell me there's no difference in quality that my eye can notice.
I'm still going to think this one over the weekend but it's juicy thought to mull over a few reds!
Time to check some reviews on this lens.

fair point Paul - it is pricey, my consideration is that i'm at the very begininning of looking to turn pro for weddings - we are talking month 1 of what i think is at least an 18 month - 2 year plan, i just cant help but think the VR will be useful in situations i'm likely to encounter and the cost is part of a long term investment. When you list it as a '2 for one' lens deal that puts things in another perspective though and TBH a wedding pro mate of mine uses the Sigma........
And we'll be opening the odd red this w/end as its SWMBO birthday, time to think again perhaps.....

Geoff wrote:It would appear that B&H now have the Nikkor 70-200VR for US$1630 which tonight (before potential import tax issues) works out to be AUD$2118.

Adding freight and GST and Customs fee up then price will be around AU$2600.00 figures, and price may be drop back under 2K once Nikon has them ready all over the world.
By the time you touch your keyboard to order, all will be gone into good hands, and it's gone by now so far!
To buy this lens today over B&H, you have to camp outside their store or don't sleep and keep watching their web with the updated, also won't help coz we're in distance and local buyers will grab it first.
Why should we bother in doing these naughty things, get something else to play and wait till the stock flood the market, we can still shoot good photos without the VR

Monopod + Tripod + Sigma 70-200 is still less than the 70-200 VR

Very happy with my descision on the sigma...

MHD wrote:Monopod + Tripod + Sigma 70-200 is still less than the 70-200 VR

Very happy with my descision on the sigma...

Have you got my email re# tracking number?

Yep, flew out of HK at 7pm last night...

So very very little chance it will be here by COB (unless customs are unusually quick)

Hi, with all the discussion of the Sigma 70-200 vs the Nikkor 70-200VR, I'm interested to know why people aren't mentioning the Nikkor 80-200 2.8? I know the Sigma is $200 cheaper than Nikkor on Birdies prices. Are there any other reasons for going the Sigma 70-200 2.8 over the Nikkor 80-200 2.8? I think you can put te appropriate TC on each. I'm particularly interested as a 80-200 2.8 type lens is on my shopping list.

johnd wrote:Hi, with all the discussion of the Sigma 70-200 vs the Nikkor 70-200VR, I'm interested to know why people aren't mentioning the Nikkor 80-200 2.8? I know the Sigma is $200 cheaper than Nikkor on Birdies prices. Are there any other reasons for going the Sigma 70-200 2.8 over the Nikkor 80-200 2.8? I think you can put te appropriate TC on each. I'm particularly interested as a 80-200 2.8 type lens is on my shopping list.

Yes, we're talking about the prices and mainly two lens, Nikkor 80-200AF-D is also an other alternatively, thus the 80-200 AF-D is not fast and noisy when focussing not same as the 70-200VR and the Sigma 70-200, but its glass is a top gem.

Birddog114 wrote:

johnd wrote:Hi, with all the discussion of the Sigma 70-200 vs the Nikkor 70-200VR, I'm interested to know why people aren't mentioning the Nikkor 80-200 2.8? I know the Sigma is $200 cheaper than Nikkor on Birdies prices. Are there any other reasons for going the Sigma 70-200 2.8 over the Nikkor 80-200 2.8? I think you can put te appropriate TC on each. I'm particularly interested as a 80-200 2.8 type lens is on my shopping list.

Yes, we're talking about the prices and mainly two lens, Nikkor 80-200AF-D is also an other alternatively, thus the 80-200 AF-D is not fast and noisy when focussing not same as the 70-200VR and the Sigma 70-200, but its glass is a top gem.

True Birdy. I would go so far as to say I think the optics are better than the Sigma!

Heath Bennett wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:

johnd wrote:Hi, with all the discussion of the Sigma 70-200 vs the Nikkor 70-200VR, I'm interested to know why people aren't mentioning the Nikkor 80-200 2.8? I know the Sigma is $200 cheaper than Nikkor on Birdies prices. Are there any other reasons for going the Sigma 70-200 2.8 over the Nikkor 80-200 2.8? I think you can put te appropriate TC on each. I'm particularly interested as a 80-200 2.8 type lens is on my shopping list.

Yes, we're talking about the prices and mainly two lens, Nikkor 80-200AF-D is also an other alternatively, thus the 80-200 AF-D is not fast and noisy when focussing not same as the 70-200VR and the Sigma 70-200, but its glass is a top gem.

True Birdy. I would go so far as to say I think the optics are better than the Sigma!

But will you or your clients can tell, when they look into the photos, which were produced from both of the lenses?

The reviews are quite mixed Heath..

From my reading 98% of the Sigma 70-200 lenses are as good as the 80-200 Nikkor, however, there may be some quality control issues as 2 in 100 reviews I have read hate their sigma glass...

And at this time, if you need that focal lenght to shoot, what you're gonna to do? I repeat my question for you.

The Sigma is a great lens, I drive one myself and it's as sharp as a tack, at all focal lengths and apertures. I think their is always going to be some 'nikon glass' snobbery in the world, but I'd rather have a lens now than wait for 7 months for something that is going to be replaced soon after.

hear hear! My descision was simple... Nikon snobs can buy the 80-200 without AF-S, internal focus and zoom or they can save ~300 and buy the sigma with both!

Raskill wrote:The Sigma is a great lens, I drive one myself and it's as sharp as a tack, at all focal lengths and apertures. I think their is always going to be some 'nikon glass' snobbery in the world, but I'd rather have a lens now than wait for 7 months for something that is going to be replaced soon after.

And big saving for other lusts if money is an object and it's always

Birddog114 wrote:And the 80-400VR too.
Not enough internal parts to assemble or manufacturing these two lenses due to the lack of parts of VR mechanism used in them and other problems from the outsources/ contractors.

Edit: Expected after June 06, stock will be back to normal if Nikon does not discontinued this line.

Birddog

if this is the situation, i should pull out of the 80-400 order and divert those funds into buying a non vr zoom like the nikkor 80-200 or nikkor 200 f2 which are readily available.
i am going away in december and I need some type of zoom lens

I will speak to you about this tonight.

wendellt wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:And the 80-400VR too.
Not enough internal parts to assemble or manufacturing these two lenses due to the lack of parts of VR mechanism used in them and other problems from the outsources/ contractors.

Edit: Expected after June 06, stock will be back to normal if Nikon does not discontinued this line.

Birddog

if this is the situation, i should pull out of the 80-400 order and divert those funds into buying a non vr zoom like the nikkor 80-200 or nikkor 200 f2 which are readily available.
i am going away in december and I need some type of zoom lens

I will speak to you about this tonight.

80-200 AF-D is OK! Do you have the dough ready for the Nikkor 200/f.2 VR? it's around US$4000.00 + shipping + GST, It's just an estimate.

Last I looked the 200F2 was a telephoto prime ^_^

It's a nice peice of glass though birddy

kipper wrote:Last I looked the 200F2 was a telephoto prime ^_^

It's a nice peice of glass though birddy

He can afford it coz he get around with most of the famous young models and he shoot models (girl) with it as his intention.

kipper wrote: It's a nice peice of glass though birddy

You and me don't need that range even with TCs, cos we don't and can afford to shoot models

Birddog114 wrote:

wendellt wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:And the 80-400VR too.
Not enough internal parts to assemble or manufacturing these two lenses due to the lack of parts of VR mechanism used in them and other problems from the outsources/ contractors.

Edit: Expected after June 06, stock will be back to normal if Nikon does not discontinued this line.

Birddog

if this is the situation, i should pull out of the 80-400 order and divert those funds into buying a non vr zoom like the nikkor 80-200 or nikkor 200 f2 which are readily available.
i am going away in december and I need some type of zoom lens

I will speak to you about this tonight.

80-200 AF-D is OK! Do you have the dough ready for the Nikkor 200/f.2 VR? it's around US$4000.00 + shipping + GST, It's just an estimate.

Birdy

Nikkor 80-200/2.8 AF-D this one will do fine
readily available?

wendellt wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:

wendellt wrote:

Birddog114 wrote:And the 80-400VR too.
Not enough internal parts to assemble or manufacturing these two lenses due to the lack of parts of VR mechanism used in them and other problems from the outsources/ contractors.

Edit: Expected after June 06, stock will be back to normal if Nikon does not discontinued this line.

Birddog

if this is the situation, i should pull out of the 80-400 order and divert those funds into buying a non vr zoom like the nikkor 80-200 or nikkor 200 f2 which are readily available.
i am going away in december and I need some type of zoom lens

I will speak to you about this tonight.

80-200 AF-D is OK! Do you have the dough ready for the Nikkor 200/f.2 VR? it's around US$4000.00 + shipping + GST, It's just an estimate.

Birdy

Nikkor 80-200/2.8 AF-D this one will do fine
readily available?

Yes.

How about the AFS version, it's faster focus than the AF-D

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200afs.htm

wendellt wrote:How about the AFS version, it's faster focus than the AF-D

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200afs.htm

You're still dreaming my friends, it's long gone after the released of the 70-200VR, only second hand stock, perhaps on eBay you can spot one.

Who would have known getting into professional gear would be such a headache

Ever since i bought my D2X i have the best body but a smattering of mid quality lenses with the exception of my 50mm 1.4
I think by this time next year stock will be available for high end glass but at that time there will be a D3X, man have i just dug a hole for myself or what.

I will never get my body on par with my lens wants.

wendellt wrote:
I will never get my body on par with my lens wants.

Do you want to buy mine?

if your serious...yes

i have sufferend an outbreak of common sense!!

Birdy - i just used your link in the bagains section to enquire on prices for some Sigma stuff------------heck i have the 24-70 2.8 and am happy with that, the Sigma 70-200 has always been rated so never had an issue with that but the VR would have been nice.........

Wont invest in say the 12-24 for now though - cash saved not geting the VR will come in on business startup costs of just be saved - a spare D70 may be useful or its a chunk towards the D2X (or D200 if that ever becomes more than vapourware) PS - those looking for Nikkor glass - seems the 80-200 hsm, where available is not that much cheaper than the VR........even 2nd hand - £800'ish for a good 2nd hand example here in the uk

chris1968 wrote: PS - those looking for Nikkor glass - seems the 80-200 hsm, where available is not that much cheaper than the VR........even 2nd hand - £800'ish for a good 2nd hand example here in the uk

I believe you've inadvertently stumbled onto another issue here - resale value. Yes, the 80-200 AFS are selling at close to what they were new, and so are 70-200VR's, being a VERY recent release for a Nikkor hold their values as well. Third party lenses however... they're like flavour of the month. If you do your research and know what you're looking for, you can score yourself a bargain. However, it's only recently IMO that some third party gems have came to be - the vast majority are mediocre at best and their resale values reflect that.

Onyx wrote:

chris1968 wrote: PS - those looking for Nikkor glass - seems the 80-200 hsm, where available is not that much cheaper than the VR........even 2nd hand - £800'ish for a good 2nd hand example here in the uk

I believe you've inadvertently stumbled onto another issue here - resale value. Yes, the 80-200 AFS are selling at close to what they were new, and so are 70-200VR's, being a VERY recent release for a Nikkor hold their values as well. Third party lenses however... they're like flavour of the month. If you do your research and know what you're looking for, you can score yourself a bargain. However, it's only recently IMO that some third party gems have came to be - the vast majority are mediocre at best and their resale values reflect that.

onyx-purpose of my point was to highlight what you put a touch more succinctly - seems to me the 2nd hand values are well propped by shortage of supply