Nikon 200-400mm f/4 - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

02/09/2007 09:38:31 AM · #1

I've finally saved enough $ for a Nikon 200-400 f/4.

I get on line at 5:30am this morning to place my order with B&H and it won't accept my debit card. I call my bank to see what the problem is and am informed that there is a $2500.00 daily limit without authorization. No problem, I authorize the purchase... The web site will still not accept the card. Call the bank back. They tell me that the authorization is in place but that I need to call B&H to place my order so that they can in turn call Visa, who will then call my bank to get the authorization. So I wait for 3 hours for B&H to open so that I can call. I call B&H and wait thru all of the automated options to actually speak with a person. I place my order and am transfered to the VERIFICATION Department. At which point I beleive that I am actually going to finally get my oder placed and shipped to me.

I was wrong. The verification department will not call Visa even though I explained the situation.. Instead what they will do is charge $2500.00 to my card; let me call back on Sunday and charge another $2500.00, and then again on Monday to charge the balance at which point they will then ship my order.

Talk about a buzz kill! I've never had to work so hard to spend $6000.00! All of the excitement of getting new equipment, is now buried under a ton of aggrevation.

Anyway, hopefully by next Friday, which is my next day off, I will be the proud owner of a 200-400mm f/4, a 1.4 TC, a Wimberly Sickkick, and a Wimberly lens foot.

I'll keep you posted. And thanks for letting me vent,

Eric

Creature

Nikon D70s

02/09/2007 12:14:33 PM · #2

Why not just put it on a regular Visa card that may not have a daily limit, or doesn't require coordination with the seller to authorize? And then just get online and pay the $6K to your Visa card. Heck, with a purchase that large, I'd be channeling it through my Visa first just to get cash back or points.

Anyway, congrats on the purchase. I'm envious -- the only way I'll ever get to use that lens is by renting it.

Message edited by author 2007-02-09 12:16:02.

02/09/2007 12:42:28 PM · #3

I don't own a regular Visa, just a Visa check card.

wavelength

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/09/2007 12:44:06 PM · #4

I you have a paypal verified account, you can transfer the funds to them from your bank account, and then get your lens tomorrow.

jbsmithana

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

02/09/2007 12:50:32 PM · #5

Damn am I jealous Eric! I have this lens or the Nikon 500mm F4 on my list but just have not been able to pull the trigger. Can't wait to see the results you get with it.

Sorry about the hassles but it will be worth it.

02/09/2007 12:55:22 PM · #6

Originally posted by wavelength:

I you have a paypal verified account, you can transfer the funds to them from your bank account, and then get your lens tomorrow.

I have one, thought of doing that, but I would still have the $2500 limit wouldn't I?

wavelength

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/09/2007 12:56:52 PM · #7

Originally posted by spydr:

Originally posted by wavelength:
I you have a paypal verified account, you can transfer the funds to them from your bank account, and then get your lens tomorrow.

I have one, thought of doing that, but I would still have the $2500 limit wouldn't I?

Hmm, I guess I just assumed that if you actually transfer funds from your bank to theirs, it would not be a problem. Best bet is to call Paypal and see. I'd think since it's considered a bank wire transfer, the funds limit would not apply as with a credit card.

Message edited by author 2007-02-09 12:57:00.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/09/2007 12:57:55 PM · #8

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

I was considering the 500mm too but went with the 200-400 for more cropping options and the lower min. focal distance.

I'm sure that next week I will have the lens in hand and all this will be just a humorous story. I can't wait.

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

02/09/2007 12:57:59 PM · #9

How about getting a cashiers check for the total amount and send it FedEx overnight to B&H.

MAK

Leica CL

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

02/09/2007 01:02:26 PM · #10

Originally posted by spydr:

I've finally saved enough $ for a Nikon 200-400 f/4.

Eric

Hey does this mean that you will now be sending your wonderfull TEAM CAPTAIN your old, un needed 70-300 so I can be happy too?.....

you know I'll always be your bestest mate ever *Cheesy Grin*

Congrats buddy GREAT bit of glass, and seriously, if you thinking of selling that 70-300 cheap I need to get the wife a bit of zoom.. cheers

02/09/2007 01:04:18 PM · #11

Originally posted by MAK:

Originally posted by spydr:
I've finally saved enough $ for a Nikon 200-400 f/4.

Eric

Hey does this mean that you will now be sending your wonderfull TEAM CAPTAIN your old, un needed 70-300 so I can be happy too?.....

you know I'll always be your bestest mate ever *Cheesy Grin*

Congrats buddy GREAT bit of glass, and seriously, if you thinking of selling that 70-300 cheap I need to get the wife a bit of zoom.. cheers

Sorry Captain,
sold it already to buy the 70-200 VR.

02/09/2007 01:07:34 PM · #12

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

How about getting a cashiers check for the total amount and send it FedEx overnight to B&H.

The overnight would not get it to them until Monday. They're closed on Saturday and there's no Fed Ex on Sunday. Good idea though. You had me thinkin'

wavelength

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/09/2007 01:10:20 PM · #13

Originally posted by spydr:

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:
How about getting a cashiers check for the total amount and send it FedEx overnight to B&H.

The overnight would not get it to them until Monday. They're closed on Saturday and there's no Fed Ex on Sunday. Good idea though. You had me thinkin'

Looks like you're stuck dude, just have to have a wee bit more patience. ;)

Easier said than done, I know.

02/09/2007 01:12:33 PM · #14

I guess the good side is that I saved $60 by not wasting it on overnight shipping that wouldn't have got here any faster.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/15/2007 09:53:05 PM · #15

Update- I called B&H on Sunday and Monday just like they said. After a long time on the phone with a rather rude customer service rep. on Monday, he tells me that the items will ship that day (lie). "You'll have your order in 3 days" he said. Instead, they waited until Mondays charge (keep in mind they already have $4800.00 of my $$)cleared their bank on Wednesday. Then put my order in a box on Thursday. It was picked up and scanned in at 7pm Thursday night by UPS, just 14 hours short of a week since this order process started. BTW all items were and are still "In Stock". UPS tracking has a scheduled delivery of the 19th. If it was their policy to wait this long they should have told me. If my order wasn't going to leave their building until Thursday, they should have told me. I've spent a lot of money at B&H in the past few years but I'll never do business with them again.

On the bright side, I ordered a Gitzo GT3530 tripod and Markins plate from Nikonians last Saturday and It has already arrived. I now have a Super Gitzo

Someday, maybee the 19th, I'll have a lens to mount on it.

Here's the new tripod compared to the old-

Message edited by author 2007-02-16 08:07:24.

TonyT

Fujifilm X-T5

02/15/2007 09:59:58 PM · #16

It's only a 4.5 hour drive from Bloomsburg. Take your checkbook and buy it in person. I'd come along for the ride. I can alway use a trip to B&H. It's my most favorite store.

02/15/2007 10:21:13 PM · #17

I've read several interviews with famous nature photogs that talk about the patients required to be a good photographer. I had always assumed that they were refering to waiting in the woods. I am now convinced that they were talking about waiting for equipment. :)

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

02/19/2007 08:35:49 AM · #18

Today is the day!!!

NORTHUMBERLAND,
PA, US 02/19/2007 7:44 A.M. OUT FOR DELIVERY

I can't wait to get home from work.

MAK

Leica CL

02/19/2007 08:40:37 AM · #19

MAN You gonna be out shooting ALL WEEK! I have the 80-400 VR and I was in cloud 9 when i got it.. the 200-400 f4 is a very nice beast.. congrats.

Im selling up all my nikon glass and going Carl Zeiss ZF series for Nikon.. all MF and super top quality.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

02/19/2007 06:57:33 PM · #20

It's here! And it's HUGE!

Here are some photos of it. They're not good pictures (unedited)but they will give you an idea of it's size. I was too excited to take my time and get good shots.

Message edited by author 2007-02-20 13:43:43.

RainMotorsports

Nikon D60

02/19/2007 07:19:02 PM · #21

Im just glad yall can pop 6000 on a lens and i cant even pop 2000 to fix a truck lol

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

02/19/2007 07:23:04 PM · #22

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

Im just glad yall can pop 6000 on a lens and i cant even pop 2000 to fix a truck lol

It has taken quite awhile to save up the $. And to be honest, I shouldn't have spent that kind of $ on a lens, but I couldn't resist. Sorry about your truck. If it makes you feel any better, I couldn't buy this lens when I was 21.

Message edited by author 2007-02-20 13:44:02.

RainMotorsports

Nikon D60

02/19/2007 07:28:34 PM · #23

EH the trucks runnign for now but im astudent mechanic i can tell a failure from a year away. Heh its okay im aiming to drop 1400 on a D200 and another 600 on a lense and 500 on a flash so its not so bad.

But the truck comes first.

BTW i saw this dude on TV last night hes 20 single just bought a 4 bedroom hous ehe drives an H2 and a M5, his dad has a viper im like.... freakin rich people these days!

I wouldnt mind a lense like that for doing formula 1 races but a good old 70-300 does the trick..... sometimes

Message edited by author 2007-02-19 19:29:48.

MAK

Leica CL

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

02/19/2007 07:35:08 PM · #24

ROCK ON SPYDR ROCK ON MY SON!!!!!!!!!!

Hahahahahahahahahahaha tooooooooo F-in COOOOOOOOOOL!

jbsmithana