I've lived this long without it......

[vernacular_life]

I placed my order for my new Nikon 18-200mm VR lens about a month ago through Ritz camera.  I'm not usually a huge fan of Ritz, but they offered a decent price, no tax (even though they've got a store locally) and free shipping. B&H and Adorama aren't taking a waiting list - its luck of the draw if you go to their site and they have them in stock.

I was searching on the flickr group discussion for this lens and read that Ritz had about 1500 people on their list and its taking about 6 months to get the orders!!

Why?  Nikon says that theres a shortage of the chip that runs the thing. I still can't believe that there's THAT many people that want to drop $800 on a lens. 

If I wanted to, I could pay $999 and get one from Amazon, but I'm not willing to do that.  The big local camera chain in our area reports a wait list of 500 (I actually think he lied about this, but who knows)  I asked them about prepaying, and even with that, they said that they have only seen 2 lenses in 3 months. 

Bestbuy.com says that they're in the warehouse......my next try will be to find a helpful bb employee in the store (HA!) and see if a) I can order one for store delivery and b) they'll match the price of Penn Camera ($699) or Ritz ($749)  Best buy has it listed for $899.....and again, not willing to pay that premium when its just money in the ol' Blue Shirt's pocket.



This is insane! I just hope I get one by July at this point. (so if any of you photo geeks happen to SEE one in your local shop, email me!!!) 

Comments

[snowzilla.livejournal.com]

My local camera shop has it listed on their website (http://www.mcbaincamera.com/SLR/nikon/lenses.htm), but I have no idea if you'd end up on a waiting list AND the price is over double what you've paid. Cdn. prices are so jacked up - I'm seriously considering buying my next lens on my next trip to Vegas, and hoping I don't have to declare it on the way home. Did I just say that out loud? ;)

[vernacular-life.livejournal.com]

hm...well, if they have it in stock, $814 USD including shipping IS better than Amazon....

[snowzilla.livejournal.com]

Oops, I was looking at the wrong lens! Definitely not double the price. Def. worth a try, but I'm not sure what you'd get dinged on cross-border shipping?

[spa-girl.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I probably won't be heading over to Calumet anytime soon but you should definitely call them: http://www.calumetphoto.com/. If I make it over there I will definitely inquire for you.

[kemaji.livejournal.com]

Hi! go_dawgs mentioned you in one of her posts recently so I thought I'd wander on over.

I got mine from Wolf Camera (owned by Ritz) last year and the wait was only a few months. When you order, they won't tell you how long the wait list is, so unfortunately I can't tell you if the wait is longer or shorter.