OK since there are now two threads discussion the same thing I'm closing this one because it's gone on long enough. You can continue the discussion in the other thread:

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2643&page=2

Just spoke to a Best Buy rep and was advised of the usual: estimated arrival date of October 18. However, she added to the end of that: "if ordered today".

So, asked the rep whether that estimated arrival date of October 18 for "someone ordering today" takes into account orders placed prior to today and she stated "yes"!

Perhaps someone else could call Best Buy and see what the answer to that question is from a second rep? Maybe if we get a couple of reps to state that, all of us pre-orderers at Best Buy will feel a bit more comfortable.

Thanks for your comments. I don't mind the weight, and I know I will use all the capabilities of a D700. I have wanted to go FF since I had an F5 in my hands, but it is just too expensive for me. The thing is I imposed a limit to myself on how much to pay for the D700, and looking around I see that I am reaching that limit now (1500€), a few months ago, it was almost impossible to find any D700 for less than 1800.

I don't mind buying the D7000, I plan on keeping at least two cameras, and I truly believe (based on my experience with the D90), that the D7000 will be an amazing camera as well.

Also, it may sound discouraging, but I don't lie to myself with the D800 (or whatever the name), as good as it will be, this is nikon we are talking about. The new camera will be 3000€, the only reason I am glad for it is because the new camera will lower even more the prices of the current FF to something more or less affordable.

Also worth mentioning that I am not a pro, I don't make money out of it, I just enjoy immensely every photo I take.
Sorry to everyone for going offtopic.

By the way, this is a GREAT community.

@kino13 - It all depends on what you really want and what you think you'll appreciate months from now. Before I preordered the D7000 I liked and wanted the D90. My co-worker showed me his new D300s and I liked it but it was a little too pricey. I went to a camera shop and held a D700. I liked it too but it was waaay too pricey, bigger than I wanted, and had more buttons than I new I'd use. If you really want full frame and don't care for video then by all means get that D700 or wait till 2011 to get the D800. Just don't get that D700 simply because you're not on the first shipment of D7K's- you could regret that decision sooner that you think.

Mmm... I paid 1000€ for the D7K preorder.

I am starting to see D700 around the web for 1400-1500€, some of them new. If I am not in the first batch, I think I will just cancel and jump to the FF format. All things considered, when the D700 replacement gets out it will be like 3000€ for sure.

I don't care about video, and for me the D700 still blows the D7K.

(am I going crazy?)

Rx4Photo - I think you're asking how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. Let me explain:

The semantics of "prototype" and "preproduction" are both nebulous, but most reviewers (be it cars, be it toasters, be it cameras) would draw an explicit distinction between an item tested off-the-shelf and an item furnished by the manufacturer (much less before the product hits retail!) for testing.

Regardless of where Nikon was in the production cycle ramp-up, the fact remains that the products displayed at Photokina were (are) not available retail and therefore any facts (or impressions) noted by commentators are subject to inspection of the final item. There was plenty of time for Nikon to tweak firmware, and even time for Nikon to delay initial shipment if a drastic enough problem was discovered. Therefore anyone reviewing said item should note the "status" of the item they played with. It's just good reporting.

OK, here's a question. A few times while reading over the information about the D7000 during Photokina I recall the camera or cameras that they had on display being referred to as "prototypes." To me, the term prototype means there have only been a few made. I'm wondering if that was the actual case and Nikon was waiting until after Photokina to start mass production - they haven't even had a whole month of mass production since its introduction.

OR...could the D7K's at Photokina have been samples pulled from production or warehouse where they already had tens of thousands. I recall Chase Jarvis was given a few D7K's several months ago to play with which to me means any necessary adjustments should have already been made. That would make the models at Photokina actual models from production. Am I thinking straight here or what?

'TH' is reporting that he's expecting a major shortage of cameras. He says by his estimates Nikon can only produce about 300,000 cameras a month for BOTH the D3100 and D7000 for the entire world. He's saying that's why Nikon isn't announcing any other cameras and why the D90, D300S, D3000 and D5000 are nolonger going to be made because they can't keep production up for the demand of these new cameras. He's predicting that there could be a major shortage of cameras for this holiday season.

I don't agree with all of his points but we'll see.

Well I was all ready to plunk down $1200 on the D7000 (having sold a bunch of gear), but then I pulled the trigger on a D90 that was on sale from Amazon Warehouse Deals for $433. How could I pass that up? I was a little weary of the condition of the D90, but it arrived today and there's not a mark on it, with all the original accessories! A nice upgrade from my D70 at 1/3 the cost of the D7000...

It should hold me over for a while so I'll just have to live vicariously through you guys who already ordered the D7000.

For what it's worth, I checked with both BuyDig and J&R about the D7000 and they probably are getting stock next week - worth a shot for pre-order, although I bet by know J&R has a bunch of pre-orders. If you email customer service they'll give you an idea of the wait list and expected shipping time. The sales guy from J&R said if I called him he'd give me a better price, so it's worth a call!

Also, I was planning on using a site like ebates or fatwallet to order with cashback to save 40-50 bucks, I think BuyDig is the best at 3% cash back. They've always been a reliable reseller and I bet their wait list is better than the others. Another option I've read about is buying an Amazon Gift card (they supposedly give you 5% cash back), and then order the camera with that... for those bargain hunters out there!

Workodactyl said:
Something interesting on B&H. Body only is temp. unavailable yet their Kit is still available for pre-order. I hope Nikon understands that more people will probably be going for the Body only and ships more body units than kit units. Though I think History has shown us that Nikon likes to move more kits than bodies.

Adorama and some other outlets were saying that they were more likely to ship to you faster if you were buying a kit because there were so many more orders for the body alone.

Something interesting on B&H. Body only is temp. unavailable yet their Kit is still available for pre-order. I hope Nikon understands that more people will probably be going for the Body only and ships more body units than kit units. Though I think History has shown us that Nikon likes to move more kits than bodies.

First post to NR! I've been watching the forums for a while but just decided to join..

I preordered the D7000 kit from best buy sept 20... just called today to ask for the tentative ship date and the rep told me usually best buy ships preorders right before the street availability date. She said it will probably ship this friday the 15th, and if not then monday the 18th.

ORTHOZAC said:
Hello everyone; Good evening:
What about the battery grip and the SB-700 speed light? Does anybody know the estimate date of arrival for this items? Best regards... Joseph!

The grip is coming out with the D7000, as for the price, no idea.

ORTHOZAC said:
Hello everyone; Good evening:
What about the battery grip and the SB-700 speed light?

I don't know about the grip, but the speedlight comes in December according to B&H.

Workodactyl said:
I never understood why America's release is always shrouded in mystery.

Probably because no one wants to deal with disgruntled American shoppers. It's best to keep expectations low with estimated delivery dates with some wiggle room. (I've worked customer service and I know.) ;-)

Hello everyone; Good evening:
What about the battery grip and the SB-700 speed light? Does anybody know the estimate date of arrival for this items? Best regards... Joseph!

Yeah it seems Asia is Oct 25th and UK is Oct. 29th, I never understood why America's release is always shrouded in mystery.

So it seems Amazon UK has a shipping date for D7000 of Oct. 29th.

This coincides with my local store's information. Beginning of November is quite definitive that first cameras will arrive to customers.

butkusrules1985 said:
The best buy by me in Chicago did something similar. I asked to see the Canon t2i a couple months after it debuted since they had andisplay st up but no camera attached. The kid said we will only show if you are going to buy it. I thought that kind of arrogance might fly in bumblefxck Iowa where there is nothing around but not in Chicago with so many canon retailers

The best buy by me in Chicago did something similar. I asked to the Canon t2i a couple months after it debuted since they had andisplay st up but no camera attached. The kid said we will only show if you are going to buy it. I thought that kind of arrogance might fly in bumblefxck Iowa where there is nothing around but not in Chicago with so many canon retailers

Maybe that Best Buy had only had 1 in stock and they were told not to let anybody play with it. Who knows... could be they're having theft issues - I don't think I look like a thug. : ) Anyway, wont matter in a few weeks.

I think so too. The Best Buy near where I live had the 3100 on display.

I shot photos and video with my memory card at all ISO's in JPEG and RAW on a d3100 a couple of weeks ago - they have everything on display in the DX line and have full frame, Nikon and Canon available. The guy I talked to tonight said it's first come first serve on the D7000 - I wasn't able to preorder, but he thought they would have them on the 17th.

I think it's store dependent.

My local Best Buy opened a D700 box for me (they didn't have a floor model), found a lens for me and let me play with it a little bit. Could just be the guy you spoke with.

I wonder if Best Buy near me will be as "touchy" or more so with the release of the D7K. A couple of weeks ago just for the heck of it I went into the local BB and asked if they had the D3100 in stock. The sales "boy" said yes we sell it. I asked to see it. He said "I can show you the box." I said "I can see the box on the internet." At which point he proceeded to tell me that it's basically the same as that D5000 over there (as he pointed to it). I then asked "I can't see it unless I buy it?" He mumbled "yeah." At which point I said forget about it and left.

So I guess if they're that touchy with the 3100 they're likely to be the same with the D7K.

kino13 said:

The camera will not be sent before 25th October

Good to know--thanks for posting that info! And, welcome!