Thanks to everyone for your input. I got the call this afternoon that it was ready! In total, I was without my D4 from July 26-September 13. At this point, I'm not even sure if it will remember me..... ;-)

Thanks

msmoto....yea...this has really made me consider an additional new body. Unfortunately for me after using the D4 I'm just not sure other options will make me happy (and I really couldn't afford one let alone two). I guess I'm one of those nonexistent folks who would have really liked a D300 replacement (and no the 7000 is not suitable).

Thank you all! I have been in the field closing up my field research but will likely go to camera shop tomorrow to see if we can get them to find out where it is in the process early next week. It's good to know I am on the wrong end of the bell curve once again!!!!

Thanks

There is a special channel for retail stores and repair shops to follow up on repairs. I'd get your repair shop to help. They can contact the Nikon rep as well.

It's not unusual for it to take 3 weeks or so - but 4 weeks is a long time. They might have found another problem - maybe with the release mechanism instead of just the mount.

Nikon is really backed up right now with D800 AF repairs. That's not an excuse for the lack of an update. To me, that's the biggest problem with NikonUSA service - it's just a black hole with no updates or information. I just can't imagine how big the storage area must be and tall the staff required to have gear tied up for 3-4 weeks.

I feel sorry for all of you who have to wait so long, sometimes with no notification. I have used the service of Nikon-Canada in Mississauga (Toronto suburb) twice, by dropping off a D700 and a 14-24mm for service. The case of the 14-24mm was non-trivial (impact damage left it with asymmetric focus issues). In both cases, the turn-around was near-instant (drop-off on day 1, pick-up on day 3). And in both cases did I receive email notification about the probable scope of work to be done under warranty; that email notification was in my in-box before I arrived back from my drop-off drive.
Obviously, the quality of repair service varies from location to location. I can only say that the service in Mississauga is spectacularly good.

I'm experiencing a similar level of frustration. Sent a 24-70 in for warranty service two weeks ago tomorrow (through the dealer where it was purchased) and have heard nada. All the dealer keeps telling me is that Nikon is super busy.

I've only had to use Nikon service once thankfully. My D3s developed a single dead pixel, which wasn't severe enough for then to fix. Fortunately for me the single pixel became a whole line of dead pixels from the top to the bottom of the screen, then they were happy to replace it :-). I've never been so happy for a fault to worsen in my life! I'm fortunate enough to live 20mins drive from Nikon UK, so took it in myself. I received an email later on in the week confirming the damage, and their plan to replace the screen under warranty. I then received another email about 10 days later saying it was ready for collection. Sounds to me like it's a part issue, but I'm surprised you haven't received any sort of update yet. Do they have your email address? Give them a ring and chase them up, and keep doing it until you become an annoyance.

Meleagris said:
The camera store sent it in. They say Nikon "acknowledged a warranty repair" on Aug 2nd but there is no further info.

Most of the month seems to be since the warranty confirmation so it seems they were quick to receive it. It must be parts availability holding things up. I would phone them and ask for an explanation and tell them the delay is unacceptable - or words to that effect....

Meleagris said:
The camera store sent it in.

I'm guessing 50% of the time delay is that there. Anytime I have sent anything in directly to Nikon and working only with them, I get stuff back within 2-3 weeks at most.

The issue with stores is that many times they send it to an "authorized" repair shop, who can't fix it and then they either send it to Nikon or wait for Nikon to send them parts. That or they sit on it for a couple of days, ship ground, request return shipping ground all to save a few bucks. That alone will add 2 weeks.

In my experience a quick phone call to the Nikon service center has an amazing effect on how fast the repairs get done. Both repairs I've had done (lenses) were ready the day after I called.

@ Meleagris....from one who has "only" the 400mm, I will say this must be Nikon's way of getting us to purchase a second D4 body. Or a D800. What do you think?

These things are a real nuisance, but hopefully Nikon repair will go through the body completely. Do you know what the malfunction in the body was? I would like to have mine not do this if possible. Does the 600mm have some unique mount characteristic that the shorter lenses do not?

ANyway, thanks for sharing. And maybe you will have your lens back before you know it.

I have had two items in for repair in the last month, both took about two weeks including time in transit. One repaired item was a body, the other a lens. I think I would follow up, something is not right there.

The camera store sent it in. They say Nikon "acknowledged a warranty repair" on Aug 2nd but there is no further info. It just so happened that the Nikon Rep and repair tech were in the store when I brought it in and was very helpful in getting it off the lens. So I guess I just sit and wait. Life goes on...but I sure miss the D4.

Did you send it in or did they?

Have you talk with the repair shop?

framer

I know!!! I am just SO thankful we got the 600mm off.....that would be far worse for me to be without!!! Talking to the camera shop this morning....it doesn't sound like there is imminent progress on getting it returned either. It's frustrating...but what can you do.

it has been more than a month now without my D4.

Sayyyy WHAAAAT? That is outragious! I'd be all over them for it by now.

Sorry to hear that Meleagris.

dotslash said:

But what in the world is the PAD?

YABA (Yet Another Bloody Acronym)

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=7364

dotslash said:
indeed, they are lovely photos.

But what in the world is the PAD?

Photo-A-Day (PAD) forum

Not good...Two months...I think I will die.... ;-)

I think it depends on the repairs and availability of parts. My D700 a year ago took two months.

I was wondering about anyone's recent experience with Nikon USA repair. My D4 would not release from my 600mm. I took it to the shop where I purchased it and we finally managed to get the 600mm off. So the D4 got sent in for repairs... but it has been more than a month now without my D4. My D300 had a new shutter put in and was back in a couple weeks last year.....this seems painfully long. Has anyone got a feel for how long repairs are taking???

indeed, they are lovely photos.

But what in the world is the PAD?

You are ready....please post on PAD! Nice shots.

First off, thanks everyone who contributed here and helped me out! I got the D7k combo and am super excited shooting with it that I just couldn't find time to update stuff here.

The following is from my pre-DSLR days:

My Gear now:

My first shots from the D7K:

Someday soon I wanna be good enough to post on the PAD!

Cheers!

To answer the final part of your questions, $2000 doesn't seem bad, but you may be better off buying the D7000 kit (body and 18-105VR) and shopping around for the 70-300VR separately. I have seen some good prices on the web for that lens. Make sure you get the VR!

Where in the world are you?

JNA said:
... You're right about the choice paralysis, that is something I don't want to be found in! :) ...

I know I'm coming in late but it might be worth looking at the 18-200 & the 35mm 1.8. Those two will cover everything you are looking at doing to get started.

That can depend on the Kit (D7000 & 18-105) you are looking at in price as it could be priced as a no brainer to get it. If the price is right, I would go with what you started with. I love my 70-300vr and it has been in my bag for years and still is one of my go-to lenses a lot of the time.

35mm vs 50mm - depends on what you want it for. Both are equally good, and I'm guessing you will end up with both at some time. I would say try them both out at the store since the 50mm on DX is 75mm equiv and gets tight meaning the field of view is considerably less. Great for portraits but for group settings at parties etc, I prefer the 35mm as you can get more in. I vote 35mm to start. The 50mm 1.8 is cheap so that is easy to add.

Just don't forget about a Flash at some point as well;)

As for everything else - you are never "stuck" with the lenses you pick today and can add, sell and buy new ones at any time. If you stick with Nikon lenses, resale is good. I think all of us at some point when we started, thought that all we needed were two lenses. 12 years later and I think I have over 15 now and have owned at one time or another probably 30 different lenses. Once you figure out what you really like to shoot, you will learn what lenses will fit better for that type of shots or "look" you are going for. That is normal and means you are learning and getting better. Nothing to be afraid about.