Johndbr - nothing is going on, there's always been shortage in nikon exotic lenses

Super shooter - no craigs is not a joke, it's more save than buying from e-bay, and let's You check the equipment when You buying it, as I pressume You gonna pick it up by yourself. It's also a great source for used equipment. Sure new lens (vr II) costs around 10k, but You can get the af-s version for 5k, and You will not see to many differences in IQ, apart from VR which You should turn off when You mount Your beast on tripod, and if You ever had this lens in Your hands You probably noticed it's not very handholdable.

I have had a 600mm on order through my local dealer since Jan. 2010. The Nikon rep for my area said all the 500 and 600mm lenses go to NPS guys first. He said they only bring in about 5 each month. I don't know if He really knows what He's talking about because He made a comment to my local dealer the other day that the 600mm was a new lens that was only introduced the first of the year. The latest 600mm VRII lens was introduced in 2007 along with the 500mm VRII. I confirmed this with Nikon USA and two other sources. I have checked all the online stores I could think of and they all list the 600mm as being on backorder or not available at this time. By the way Canon 600mm lenses are in stock all over the place. Yes, I know the Canon is not as good. Who knows what's going on!

I'm pretty sure the craigslist remark was a joke. Who would buy a $10,000+ lens at a garage sale? And if you found someone selling such a lens, I'd bet it were stolen.

But I wonder if this entire thread isn't suppose to be an inside joke or something since in another thread fettercc said he works in a camera store: http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=553&page=3#post-42099 So why are you asking us about getting this lens? Shouldn't you be the one person to answer your own question as to where to buy it?

adamz said:
Try craigs, it's the fastest way, I've seen it there recently.

Is Craig's List trustworthy for such expensive equipment purchases? I ask because I haven't looked into Craig's List.

Try craigs, it's the fastest way, I've seen it there recently.

Looks like all the usual online stores carry it....Adorama, Ritz, B&H (although out of stock here), amazon. If I was going to pay $10,000 for it though I might go to a local place and have them order you one...not sure I would want to worry about someone shipping it.

Is the 600 F4 available to the nonprofessional photographers? If So Where.