On the plus side, it is nice to know that Nikon created a camera that is so incredible it can create such a high demand -- and even vehement anger when people can't get one.

On the other hand, look at all the pissed off people who can't get Canon's MIII. Oh yea, they are asleep....

Prakash, both your information and advice are helpful. However, I know (because I was a consultant in the field for over 10 years) that organizations change when they realize they can't go on the way they have been going. Continual pressure brings this about, as well as "burning platform" events.

You're right though, on a personal level, I should just bide my time and shoot my other cameras.

@ekhPhoto - What you have received from Nikon USA is a pre-tailored, boiler-plate answer. How do I know? Because I wrote a few earfulls of emails to them and I too got replies from them - WORD BY WORD - exactly the same as what you have posted! So going to the extent of writing to Nikon does not really do any good. The best bet right now is, sit tight and wait. Even better - shoot with what you have already and forget that you have pre-ordered this.

Nikon will not change their behavior with all these emails. May be they will when a million people sell their Nikon lenses out and move to Canon - all at once. Like a flash mob. The likelihood of that happenning is... absolutely nil. So Nikon will not change. Just enjoy the nice gear you already have! Just go with it!

Hi all,

And to think I let my NPS membership lapse... About 25-30 years ago. I wonder if I can 'reactivate' without any hoopla? :-)

My best,

Mike

I spoke with our local Nikon rep. a week ago (literally) and he said that we can expect the D800E's to be shipping to regular people by the end of the month. On one hand, that is reassuring. On the other, it doesn't help at all. I knew that already. What gets me is all this day-to-day waiting and checking. It is driving me bonkers! I'm high enough on the list that if the cameras come in, I'll get one but darn it, we need at least _some_ cameras!

Have been on to Nikon USA about delivery issues. They said, and I quote, "Thank you for contacting Nikon USA customer support. I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing that issue. Unfortunately we are unable to speculate as to when B&H will receive your camera or why they have not received it yet. As is often true with our newest product releases, there is initially a limited quantity available for a heavy demand, and we realize that this is a difficult product to find right now. We are making every effort to meet this demand as soon as possible and this item will become easier to find over time. I do understand your feeling of frustration and apologize for the inconvenience. Regards, Elizabeth"

Well, if NikonUSA has to speculate on shipments to heavy resellers like B&H, something is way out of whack. I'm particularly annoyed because I pre-ordered by d800e just a few hours after formal issue on 2/7. B&H says they have no idea when NikonUSA is going to ship, or how many they will ship.

So I think there's some kind of technical or supply-chain issue gumming up the works, and as is usual for Japanese companies, they'd rather die than admit they screwed up.

Like everybody else, I want my camera.

In Sweden the D800 is in the NPS program and they havent been able to fulfill all those orders yet, atleast thats the info I haven been able to gather from forums and such.

ArtPollard said:
I'm trying to ascertain as to how long it takes from the beginning of NPS shipments beginning until the beginning of non NPS shipments.

Depends on how many NPS orders there are. On the D4 Nikon use as much stock as necessary to provide NPS members with their orders, any surplus is then sent to stores for general sale. Members are only allowed to order 1 body under the preference scheme, if they need more than that they have to wait like any other customer.

NPS members have no special ordering treatment on the D800 (at least in the UK). D4 yes, but they have to wait in line with everyone else for the D800.

Yes, Nikon hasn't been able to keep up with pre-orders but SOME non-NPS cameras have been delivered.

I'm trying to ascertain as to how long it takes from the beginning of NPS shipments beginning until the beginning of non NPS shipments.

Uhh, everybody else is STILL WAITING for their d800. I preordered on day 1.

I'm waiting for my D800E and on Monday, NPS D800E's were delivered by Nikon to several local photographers.

This raises the question ....

When the D800 was released, how long from the time that it began to be delivered to the NPS members until the time that cameras began to show up for everybody else? It seems like it was pretty short but being that I was waiting for an D800E, I didn't pay much attention.

I'm totally on pins and needles waiting for my new camera. Perhaps this will provide some insight as to when it will arrive.