Not sure. I've seen a few posts that Dealers will receive bodies at the end of November. So another 3 weeks for the large retailers? I guess that would fit the "available by Christmas."
Was in the local Calumet today and they told me there would be a limited shipment coming in sometime before the end of the year, but not to expect mass distribution until closer to tradeshow time next year.
rcooper wrote:
Was in the local Calumet today and they told me there would be a limited shipment coming in sometime before the end of the year, but not to expect mass distribution until closer to tradeshow time next year.
I doubt that. I'd say mass distribution by the end of the year.
Hopefully QC isn`t compromised in any way shape or form trying to get it out before Xmas.
Coming off the D2H metering and D70 BGLOD problems it would have some questionable implications and could cause some serious damage to Nikon`s reputation with regards to durability.
John
My local shop owner is expecting some at the end of November. There's five names ahead of mine. He said I should have mine in December sometime. I'm on my local shop's list for two of them.
Well, There are no real reviews, no certified image examples. Clearly the specs are awesome. And based on the Nikon reputation we can expect the camera will come through. But even the D2x had some samples with problems coming out of the gate. I'm overly cautious, I guess and don't have the money to be an early adopter. If I had the cash, I'd be thinking hard about ordering one; but no cash makes it easy to be in wait and see mode.
Even though consumer based digital photography manufacturing processes are still relatively new for camera manufacturers, each successive rollout of new models incorporate lessons learned from prior systems.
I expect, (and hope), the D200 will have fewer initial problems than the D2H or D70 did during the first few months of their introduction.
I hope, but do not expect that the D200 will have fewer initial problems than previous bodies. The new CCD sensor is a particular concern and presumably there are many other new components. Is anyone else going to wait a few months before buying one?
I am in a similar technology business, and I can tell you than I will NEVER buy any industrial/hi-tech product in the first few months of production, no matter how professional and serious the supplier is... Even the high-end manufacturers of cars, consumer electronics, whatever make some mistakes which are being corrected after a few months. Because of the growing market pressure (competition) and the exponential growth of technological complexity, it is close to impossible for any manufacturer to totally mature a development before launch (even with prototypes, preproduction and selected 'real-life' testers). They need the market to do the final debugging. Of course we are talking probabilities here, let's say typically 10% of the buyers MIGHT experience some trouble (solved under warranty of course) at the beginning, and only 1-2% after some time... averaging to 1-2% overall... This is real life. I have A LOT of respect and admiration for Nikon engineering, but taking my experience into account, and since I am not in a hurry, I will just wait till something like April next year to buy a D200...
You can call me paranoid
The same is valid for cars, mobile phones, software packages, any technological breakthrough...
Understood Guy.
However , over the past few years I`ve sent back at least a few Canon dslr`s and P&S digicams to B&H for credit , replacement, or directly to Canon repair center and never got screwed because it was not functioning right or because I just wasn`t satisfied with the product.
I`d not be a bit concerned if I got a bad one or had to have it repaired under warranty, at least not to the point where it would prohibit me from buying it simply cause it`s a new product.
Still, your point is well taken as there is no big reason to jump into a new body if the old one is working fine. It`s nice to sit back and let the beta testers do their thing too and allow you some breathing room..
John
I bought a 'first run' D100, and got one of the first D2X's. Didn't have a problem with either. Was there any problems? Sure they were, but I didn't have any. The number of problems that were discussed here on fm were miniscule compare to the number that were shipped. So, my point is, there's been no firmware upgrade, no component recall, nothing of the sort. It's a very complex camera, yet I think the service record speaks for itself. The D200 has already been in 'beta test', so go ahead and order the thing, whenever you can.
Jack, even being paranoid, I have to agree with you that most (90%+) early adopters won't have any problem ever with that camera. And IF you have an issue, it will be taken care of in a professional way as Nikon usually does.
I am just trying to be 'reasonable' by waiting a few months (am I going to resist that long, who knows....?)
gugs wrote:
Jack, even being paranoid, I have to agree with you that most (90%+) early adopters won't have any problem ever with that camera. And IF you have an issue, it will be taken care of in a professional way as Nikon usually does.
I am just trying to be 'reasonable' by waiting a few months (am I going to resist that long, who knows....?)
It certainly doesn't hurt to get a camera when it's further along its developmental cycle, when problems have been solved and bugs have been fumigated.
gugs wrote:
Jack, even being paranoid, I have to agree with you that most (90%+) early adopters won't have any problem ever with that camera. And IF you have an issue, it will be taken care of in a professional way as Nikon usually does.
I am just trying to be 'reasonable' by waiting a few months (am I going to resist that long, who knows....?)
Guy, in my 'in basket' one morning, I found a little note. It read "I know I'm paronoid, but am I paranoid enough?"
If you can resist the new camera bug long enough, then it's wise to do so, but not many can. I just think your chances of getting a perfect model with Nikon is very good.
I am in a similar technology business, and I can tell you than I will NEVER buy any industrial/hi-tech product in the first few months of production, no matter how professional and serious the supplier is.
Yeah, but if you don't know if the stock gets rotated properly in the warehouse, you could still wind up buying an early version of the equipment even if you do wait months. I don't think this will be a problem with dealer's stock, because the camera will be in short supply in the first months, but it could still happen out of distributor or warehouse stock.
The new CCD sensor is a particular concern and presumably there are many other new components. Is anyone else going to wait a few months before buying one?