Matt Blaze 
, Nov 20, 2009; 05:33 p.m.
Does anyone have any idea of the current availability of the 400/2.8 VR lens? B&H (my normal vendor) says they have idea when they will be able get one, and I'm wondering just what that means. Is this lens simply in high demand that exceeds the supply, or has production been suspended? If the former, I'll order one and wait, if the latter, I'll consider other options.
Thanks
Douglas Lee 
, Nov 20, 2009; 10:23 p.m.
Give Allen's Camera a call 1-888-547-2841. They are a Nikon authorized dealer. I do not know if he has one, but in the past he has had stuff that B&H did not. His prices are competitive, service is great.
D.B. Cooper 
, Nov 21, 2009; 02:10 p.m.
Availability of some of Nikon's lenses has been spotty this year (as opposed to any other year?). Late spring and last summer, the 24-70/2.8G was hard to get hold of. In September and October, the 135/2.0 DC was out of stock in a lot of places, but I notice the US version is back in stock at B&H. My guess is that Nikon is keeping shelf inventory tight, probably to keep from having excess year-end inventory in the current economic climate. I also think the popularity of the D700 has sold more FF lenses than Nikon expected. I can account for five since June. :-\
Looks like Adorama has your 400/2.8 VRII in stock, but you might want to phone them up to verify that if you order.
Matt Blaze , Nov 22, 2009; 09:41 a.m.
Thanks folks. It sounds like it is indeed still in production, just hard to find for now.
Arthur Yeo 
, Nov 22, 2009; 02:25 p.m.
Most long teles are out of stock at this moment. It's another of those situation where the demand for a batched inventory was underestimated. You just have to wait for the next batch to be manufactured.
Bob Sunley 
, Nov 23, 2009; 09:30 a.m.
There is a Winter Olympics coming up soon, which is probably the reason for the short retail supply.
Shun Cheung 
, Nov 23, 2009; 10:55 a.m.
I don't think it has anything to do with the Winter Olympics. Nikon has been very conservative during the current economic downturn, and a lot of their lenses have been in short supply since January/February 2009. They have also been very slow in introducing new lenses.
