Nikon D700?

[molested_cow]

Didn't know that the factor is in Sendai. That puts things in perspective....

 

[Ginu]

Just found this article in regards to the Nikon Factory in Sendai:

Nikon has shut down its production facilities in northern Japan, including the factory that makes flagship DSLR cameras such as the D700, following the earthquake and tsunami disaster.

The news comes as the company today confirms injuries to 'some' of its group employees and gathers information on other staff and their family members.

'We have no reports of any fatalities or seriously-injured employees so far,' a Nikon spokeswoman told Amateur Photographer this morning.

'We are committed to investigating any personal injuries.'

The Nikon plant at Natori in Sendai, which has made top-end cameras such as the D3, is among the factories forced to close after damage to equipment and buildings.

Nikon's Sendai plant is where cameras including the D3S, D3X, D700 and F6 are made.

'We are suspending operations there and continuing to evaluate further details of the damage,' Nikon said in a statement.

'We are unable to announce how soon the operations will resume due to the regional interruption of life-lines…'

There is no word on whether cameras waiting for shipment oversees have been hit, though it is reported that Japanese ports in the area have been badly hit by the disaster.

The latest situation regarding product distribution is currently 'under investigation', according to Nikon's UK office.

Nikon's Sendai plant, which lies in the Miyagi Prefecture, opened in 1971 and made Nikon's legendary F-series of film-based SLRs.

It is understood to employ around 500 workers, plus hundreds of temporary labourers.

Meanwhile, Nikon has set up an Emergency Headquarters for Disaster Control, headed up by its president, and donated 100 million yen (around £750,000) to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

'Nikon Corporation would like to express its profound sympathy and condolences to the victims of the earthquake in Northern Japan, on March 11 2011,' added the company statement.

Yesterday there had been no reports of British casualties at hospitals in nearby Sendai City, according to the British Ambassador to Japan, David Warren.

Two thousand bodies are reported to have been found along the Miyagi coast.

Meanwhile, Canon's factory in northern Honshu, which is understood to make lenses, remains closed with no word on when production will resume. Fifteen people were reported injured there.

Canon today said that, at plants where operations 'may be suspended for one month or more', it will seek to make use of alternative sites that escaped damage, in order to maintain production.

 

[Amocholes]

I saw a translated story from NHK (Japan news) that said Nikon's facility would be offline until the 14th, or for 14 days, I couldn't tell if it was a translation error or not.

And then how long until they're going to be able to start exporting. Their plant is not the only thing involved.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

I'd say go for it, There are only 3 other cameras that can get close to it in High ISO: 5D Mark II, 1D Mark IV, the D3, and the D3s. Aside from video, you can shoot literally anything with a D700, the few things that need to be improved are generally pretty small quibbles. Like the card slot door.

 

[mwcfarms]

I too am planning on purchasing a D700 but of course my local camera store is back ordered and with the tragic events in Japan who's to say when they will be back in stock. Save your tax money...

 

[o hey tyler]

Haha, Switch. You said that there were only 3 cameras... And then you listed 4. YOU SILLY.

 

[benhasajeep]

I too am planning on purchasing a D700 but of course my local camera store is back ordered and with the tragic events in Japan who's to say when they will be back in stock. Save your tax money...

Your camera store would be getting it from Nikon USA. They may have some already in country or on a boat. So, the disaster may not cause a problem just yet.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Haha, Switch. You said that there were only 3 cameras... And then you listed 4. YOU SILLY.

I guess i did

 

[mwcfarms]

Would that be true for Canada. I know we have a Nikon place out east but as far as I knew they still came from Japan.

 

[benhasajeep]

Would that be true for Canada. I know we have a Nikon place out east but as far as I knew they still came from Japan.

I believe there is a Nikon Canada that is the official importer of Nikon equipment into Canada. So, they would have their own warehouse of goods to distrubute Nikon gear to retailers.

 

[djacobox372]

I own a D700, and love it.

However I think a D7000 is a better deal. You're only losing about 1 stop of iso performance, but your gaining HD video, all for $800 less.

 

[Stutterfly]

^ Yeah...that's all you're losing :er:

Um..FF sensor...?

 

[sierramister]

Did you look at the prices since the earthquake? The D700 price has increased over $400 (body only) at quite a few popular retailers. Too bad price-gouging lawsuits weren't easier to come by.