Nikkor Lens Availability

It's about this time each year when Nikon seems to have the most trouble keeping lenses in stock. So I thought I'd do a check to see what is and isn't available through both B&H and the NikonUSA store.

First, B&H. Out of 148 listings (some refurb, some imports), the following are the Nikkor lenses currently unavailable:

  • 14mm f/2.8D (more on the way)
  • 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G II (more on the way)
  • 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G DX (back-ordered)
  • 24-120mm f/4G (more on the way)
  • 24-120mm f/4G refurb (back-ordered)
  • 55mm f/2.8 MF (more on the way)
  • 55-200mm f/4-5.6G II refurb (more on the way)
  • 70-200mm f/4G (more on the way)
  • 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX (back-ordered)
  • 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E refurb (currently unavailable)
  • 180-400mm f/4E (new item — coming soon)
  • 200-500mm f/5.6E (back-ordered)
  • 200-500mm f/5.6E refurb (back-ordered)
  • 300mm f/2.8G (back-ordered)
  • 500mm f/4E (more on the way)
  • 600mm f/4E (back-ordered)

In B&H's vocabulary, "more on the way" means that Nikon has given them a ship date for more inventory to come, typically a few days to a couple of weeks out. "Back-ordered" means that B&H has no idea yet when they will get more stock. "New item — coming soon" usually is reserved for where B&H has ordered a new item, but does not yet know how many they'll be getting, or when.

Meanwhile, over at the NikonUSA online store, here's the current situation for their 106 listings:

  • 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E (back-ordered)
  • 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G DX (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G II DX (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II DX (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G DX (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 20mm f/2.8 MF (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 24mm f/2.8 MF (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 28mm f/2.8 MF (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 28mm f/1.4E (back-ordered)
  • 35mm f/1.4 MF (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 50mm f/1.2 MF (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 50mm f/1.4 MF (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 50mm f/1.4G (back-ordered)
  • 55-200mm f/4-5.6G DX (back-ordered)
  • 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR DX (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VRII DX (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G DX (back-ordered)
  • 55mm f/2.8 MF (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 70-200mm f/2.8E anniversary ed (unavailable for individual sale)
  • 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D VR non AF-S (temporarily out of inventory)
  • 105mm f/2.8 MF (back-ordered)
  • 105mm f/2.8G VR (back-ordered)
  • 180-400mm f/4E (back-ordered)
  • 200-400mm f/4G (back-ordered)
  • 300mm f/2.8G II (back-ordered)
  • 400mm f/2.8E (back-ordered)
  • 600mm f/4E (back-ordered)
  • 800mm f/5.6E (back-ordered)

Overall, we currently seem to be in a bit better situation than in previous years, though the long telephotos still tend to be a problem, probably because of their low manufacturing quantities (many can be measured in dozens a month). In the summer months, the long lenses tend to be in short supply. So if you're planning a late summer vacation where you need one of the longer lenses, you'd best be securing that copy soon.

Curiously, at NikonUSA, the older AI manual focus lenses and a fairly large list of DX lenses seem to be out of stock, as well. 

Looking for gear-specific information? Check out our other Web sites:
mirrorless: sansmirror.com | general: bythom.com| Z System: zsystemuser.com | film SLR: filmbodies.com


dslrbodies: all text and original images © 2023 Thom Hogan
portions Copyright 1999-2022 Thom Hogan—All Rights Reserved

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