Pre-Ordering a Camera Body?

[WDWFigment]

In anticipation of the announcement of the D7000 (expected tonight at midnight) and wanting to sell before a decrease in the camera's market value occurred, I sold my D90 last weekend. A bit of a gamble, I know, but I figure I can always re-acquire a D90 between now and December for less than the price for which I sold mine, so I'm not too concerned.

I have never followed new camera body releases too closely, but I've gotten caught up in the hype of this one. From the tone of discussion and in reviewing the specs, this camera is going to surpass the D300s and D700 in some regards, and looks to be quite popular. Is this always the hype pre-announcement for a new DSLR?

I ask this because I need a new DSLR prior to the beginning of December when we next head down to WDW. I don't really care if I have one between now and then (I mean, it'd be nice to avoid getting rusty, but if I can save $100-200, I'll just as soon wait), but I am somewhat concerned that demand may surpass supply, and this camera may become back-ordered or waitlists may develop. I realize no one can prognosticate the future, but has this happened recently with any camera releases? I'd rather wait and watch SlickDeals for a good discount on one between now and December, but I don't want to push my luck! Thanks!

 

[Jax1023]

When I was shopping back in April, I know the canon T2i was frequently out of stock almost everywhere, and it was nearly 6 months old at that point.

Maybe Nikon is better at anticipating demand though.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

These things usually follow predictable patterns.

The first phase is the early rumor phase. People really have no idea what is coming, but that doesn't stop them from speculating or even quoting unreliable sources as though they are deep insiders. This game has improved some as rumoring has institutionalized (NikonRumors.com, CanonRumors.com). Even I have been involved in speculating on future cameras, having once posted a rumor about the 5D Mark II which turned out to have been slightly less than 100% accurate.

Then the camera is announced and people move into camps. You're used to seeing silly debates between brand loyalists. Now, you'll see silly debates between model loyalists. People who own a lower model or an older camera in the same model line wax poetic about how awesome the new camera looks. People having recently purchased a camera in the same model line make lots of comments on how it is a trivial upgrade and even a bit of a step backwards because they made the pixels smaller or removed some trivial feature. People with a camera in the next higher model line get irate and flame the new camera like it is the spawn of Satan. This is usually because the camera is much cheaper then theirs but has some advantages over theirs.

For quite a while, it's all a lot of talk. There is often a considerable gap between the announcement and the shipping date. Canon isn't usually too bad about this. Nikon has had some really long lag times.

Finally, the camera starts shipping. The first few to get it all praise it as though it were the only camera worth of Mary using to photograph Christ's final moments. Then someone finds a problem. This problem gets seized as the worst disaster ever and people start referring to it as a disaster. Usually (excepting the Canon 1D Mark III AF disaster), this is completely overblown nonsense.

Finally, the camera is in widespread use and everyone moves on the start speculating about the next camera. After all, arguing about future cameras is much more fun than actually taking pictures. The best place to watch this play out is over at DPReview.

 

[Chikabowa]

I put my name on the waiting list around Oct/Nov prior to the D3 being released. It was finally release at the beginning of December. I could have purchased one through B&H at the end of January, but my name came up at the very beginning of February.

My guess is that the wait won't be as long for this rumored D7000, so I personally wouldn't worry too much about it. I think you'll probably be able to get one relatively quickly.

 

[MassJester]

The best place to watch this play out is over at DPReview.

Those forums are brutal. I think political campaigns are less mean spirited than the debates over there.

 

[shawn68]

D7000 here I come. Looks pretty awesome. I am waiting with you Tom.

 

[Uncle Greg]

These things usually follow predictable patterns.

The first phase is the early rumor phase. People really have no idea what is coming, but that doesn't stop them from speculating or even quoting unreliable sources as though they are deep insiders. This game has improved some as rumoring has institutionalized (NikonRumors.com, CanonRumors.com). Even I have been involved in speculating on future cameras, having once posted a rumor about the 5D Mark II which turned out to have been slightly less than 100% accurate.

Then the camera is announced and people move into camps. You're used to seeing silly debates between brand loyalists. Now, you'll see silly debates between model loyalists. People who own a lower model or an older camera in the same model line wax poetic about how awesome the new camera looks. People having recently purchased a camera in the same model line make lots of comments on how it is a trivial upgrade and even a bit of a step backwards because they made the pixels smaller or removed some trivial feature. People with a camera in the next higher model line get irate and flame the new camera like it is the spawn of Satan. This is usually because the camera is much cheaper then theirs but has some advantages over theirs.

For quite a while, it's all a lot of talk. There is often a considerable gap between the announcement and the shipping date. Canon isn't usually too bad about this. Nikon has had some really long lag times.

Finally, the camera starts shipping. The first few to get it all praise it as though it were the only camera worth of Mary using to photograph Christ's final moments. Then someone finds a problem. This problem gets seized as the worst disaster ever and people start referring to it as a disaster. Usually (excepting the Canon 1D Mark III AF disaster), this is completely overblown nonsense.

Finally, the camera is in widespread use and everyone moves on the start speculating about the next camera. After all, arguing about future cameras is much more fun than actually taking pictures. The best place to watch this play out is over at DPReview.

LOL, perfect!


I hadn't been paying any attention to the talk on this camera until yesterday. The stats sound pretty awesome though and if it's got the low light capability they're talking about, it would save the need to move to FX (for that reason) so you wouldnt have to dump all the DX glass.

Tom, I think I'd be getting on at least one pre-order list.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Pre-orders are fickle, here is my experiance with the T2i

I pre-ordered two bodies only from Best Buy, one body with kit lens from B&H, one body and lens kit from Amazon. I ended up buying it from J&R the day of release (body and kit lens). I then canceled my pre-order from Amazon and B&H.

I think you will have better luck pre-ordering with a kit lens. Get that order in NOW though, and skip Amazon, I've had more pre-orders canceled by Amazon themselves there than anywhere else.

Adorama and B&H are always good, J&R electronics is where I would pre-order from though.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Full review of the D7000 over here...

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2010/09/nikon-d7000/

I'm a canon shooter but this camera does look nice.

 

[Gdad]

This was completely off my radar until I read this post but I have to say it looks like a very sweet camera. I have been kicking around the thought of scaling my kit way back and this might just be a good place to start.

(Then again maybe I'll just pick up one of them 'decreased in market value' used D90's for cheap instead...hmmm.)

 

[WDWFigment]

This was completely off my radar until I read this post but I have to say it looks like a very sweet camera. I have been kicking around the thought of scaling my kit way back and this might just be a good place to start.

(Then again maybe I'll just pick up one of them 'decreased in market value' used D90's for cheap instead...hmmm.)

Scaling it back to the extent of selling your D700 and accompanying lenses?

I really wish there were a DX version of the 14-24 f/2.8. If there were, I don't think I'd ever go FX. I've been toying with the idea of moving from the Tokina 11-16 to the Sigma 8-16, but the Tokina is just too nice to switch to a (likely) lesser lens, even if it would give me 3mm more.

 

[henryp]

We're all pretty excited by today's announcement of the D7000, but to address the OP's availability issues, I'll say this. Our site has a "notify me when in stock" applet for products we're out of. Our buyer instructed us to disable this applet for this camera because he is uncertain when we'll get early deliveries and of how many we will when they do begin arriving. I consider that an indication initial availability will be sparse and outstripped by demand.

 

[WDWFigment]

We're all pretty excited by today's announcement of the D7000, but to address the OP's availability issues, I'll say this. Our site has a "notify me when in stock" applet for products we're out of. Our buyer instructed us to disable this applet for this camera because he is uncertain when we'll get early deliveries and of how many we will when they do begin arriving. I consider that an indication initial availability will be sparse and outstripped by demand.

Hi Henry,

Thanks for the response. That scares me a little, honestly. When you say "initial" how "initial" do you mean? Are you talking the first month it's out, the first 3 months, 6 months, etc.? You've already really helped, but any further light you could shed on this would help!

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Gdad]

Scaling it back to the extent of selling your D700 and accompanying lenses?

Yeah- pretty much.

Thinking of selling:
Nikon D700
Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 AFS
Nikkor 28mm f/1.4 AF
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM
Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 AF D
Nikon F100
Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AIS Micro

Keeping:
Nikon D40
Nikkor 18-200mm AFS VR
Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 AFS
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro

And Adding:
Nikon D7000
Some kind of nice DX UWA?

I really wish there were a DX version of the 14-24 f/2.8. If there were, I don't think I'd ever go FX. I've been toying with the idea of moving from the Tokina 11-16 to the Sigma 8-16, but the Tokina is just too nice to switch to a (likely) lesser lens, even if it would give me 3mm more.

I had the Tokina when I was shooting with a D300- I would buy it again but have not really followed what else is out there now in the DX UWA realm. The 14-24/D700 combo is very nice but more than I really need for what little I shoot anymore.

My big concern is loosing the 28/1.4 on FX which I really love and do not see anything even close in the DX world to replace it. This is why I have not moved forward already.

 

[Marlton Mom]

[QUOTE Gdad
Thinking of selling:
Nikon D700
Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 AFS
Nikkor 28mm f/1.4 AF
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM
Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 AF D
Nikon F100
Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AIS Micro

Keeping:
Nikon D40
Nikkor 18-200mm AFS VR
Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 AFS
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro

And Adding:
Nikon D7000
Some kind of nice DX UWA?

I'm just curious as to why you would keep the Nikon D40. The (not enough for me) 3 focus points drove me insane on my D60


Marlton Mom

 

[Gdad]

I'm just curious as to why you would keep the Nikon D40. The (not enough for me) 3 focus points drove me insane on my D60


Marlton Mom

My 9yo daughter uses it. I would not mind upgrading it for her at some point but that works fine for her now.

 

[Gdad]

I've been toying with the idea of moving from the Tokina 11-16 to the Sigma 8-16, but the Tokina is just too nice to switch to a (likely) lesser lens, even if it would give me 3mm more.

Why is it likely lesser? I had the Tokina for a while and I liked it too- but the Sigma looks pretty interesting to me. The few shots I found on Flickr with it look pretty good actually.

 

[WDWFigment]

Why is it likely lesser? I had the Tokina for a while and I liked it too- but the Sigma looks pretty interesting to me. The few shots I found on Flickr with it look pretty good actually.

When it first came out, I read a few reviews that were only lukewarm on it. I can't find those now, so maybe it was just the selection I saw? I still am not too hot on its speed, but I suppose if I move from the Tokina 10-17 fisheye to the Sigma 10 f2.8 fisheye, I could use that in circumstances where I might need a wide lens with speed.

A concern for me personally is that I do all of my lens shopping on eBay and Craigslist, and buying a Sigma there is rolling the dice with the quality control issues the company has. Another issue for me is that right now the 8-16mm is so new that used copies don't really come up on eBay, and when they do, they typically sell for the price of new copies (one sold for more!). I think it'd have to be in the $500 range for me to bite.

If that lens were good, I think I might be able to avoid ever going full frame. My only real intrigue right now is the 14-24. I don't know nearly enough about the technical side of things to ever use 25% of the features on full frame. Plus, I'm not even close to hitting the wall with my current gear yet, so I don't think the move is justified. I actually feel like I shouldn't have sold the D90 for this reason. I'm probably not ready to move up yet--I guess I will grow into the new camera?

 

[MassJester]

I guess I will grow into the new camera?

Wow--that's exactly what I said.

The 5D MK II was much more camera than I was ready for. After struggling through the summer, I've contracted with a local professional photographer that also shoots Canon for lessons.

 

[JanuaryF]

I just put my name down on a list for this new body (upgrading my D40), and I'm really excited about it!

But this:

I'm probably not ready to move up yet--I guess I will grow into the new camera?

is making me wonder about my decision... If you will grow into this camera (I love your photos), I'm betting it is WAY more camera than I need. But I think I'm willing to live with that.

Jan