Nikon Frustration

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Whiskeyman said:
I believe that many pros felt this way a long time ago, when Nikon reduced their support to professionals at many venues where photography was a feature byline. That Canon not only didn't reduce support at such, but even increased their support, drove a lot of pros from Nikon to Canon. I once read about a "Nikon Pro" who got to an event where his equipment was missing, either stolen or lost-in-transit, and when he asked NPS on-site for help, they basically said "No." He approached Canon services and they provided him with all of the gear he needed for the event. Wanna guess what brand of gear he used after that? That example is multiplied many times over, and now, where Nikon was once king, you'll see mainly Canon gear being used.
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You can find examples of exceptional service and poor service for any company. Canon provided a lot more support at more events than Nikon and staffed their events with a lot more reps. That was largely a staffing and marketing decision. They laid off most of that staff three years ago.

My contact with Nikon's pro support is exceptional. You don't develop a relationship when you need something - you develop a relationship first and when you need something, you know where to go for help.

There are plenty of Canon stories that are similar to the Nikon story you describe. Take a look at Piper McKay's blog about her struggles with Canon and ultimate switch to Nikon.
 
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EricBowles said:
You can find examples of exceptional service and poor service for any company. Canon provided a lot more support at more events than Nikon and staffed their events with a lot more reps. That was largely a staffing and marketing decision. They laid off most of that staff three years ago.

My contact with Nikon's pro support is exceptional. You don't develop a relationship when you need something - you develop a relationship first and when you need something, you know where to go for help.

There are plenty of Canon stories that are similar to the Nikon story you describe. Take a look at Piper McKay's blog about her struggles with Canon and ultimate switch to Nikon.
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Amen to that! And, it would seem that Nikon's presence at the Tokyo Olympics is quite noticeable. https://nikonrumors.com/2021/07/25/...ar-room-at-the-tokyo-olympic-games-2021.aspx/
 
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Unfortunately, the shortages (be it chips, components, raw material, even Manpower) will continue if not worsen, as COVID (now Delta variation) continues to burden the industry. I face these challenges on a daily basis, as we produce mounted electronic circuit boards (PCBs), and I can confirm it is no conspiracy theory. Prices are skyrocketing and delivery times are extending to ridiculous levels.. what was before 4 weeks standard delivery time is now 30 weeks and still considered "express" in these times.

My personal advice: if you plan to buy a new camera, do it now, as prices will eventually go up, as companies come to the end of their line, where they use their margins to compensate for these price increases, after which they will be forced to pass them on to the consumers. Even used goods are being bought quicker today and getting hands on good copies is become much harder than before.

This is affecting everyone, from the camera industry / consumer industry to especially automotive industry.
 
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Ado Wolf said:
Unfortunately, the shortages (be it chips, components, raw material, even Manpower) will continue if not worsen, as COVID (now Delta variation) continues to burden the industry. I face these challenges on a daily basis, as we produce mounted electronic circuit boards (PCBs), and I can confirm it is no conspiracy theory. Prices are skyrocketing and delivery times are extending to ridiculous levels.. what was before 4 weeks standard delivery time is now 30 weeks and still considered "express" in these times.

My personal advice: if you plan to buy a new camera, do it now, as prices will eventually go up, as companies come to the end of their line, where they use their margins to compensate for these price increases, after which they will be forced to pass them on to the consumers. Even used goods are being bought quicker today and getting hands on good copies is become much harder than before.

This is affecting everyone, from the camera industry / consumer industry to especially automotive industry.
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Yes at first I had a few doubts when I splurged and bought one of the few Nikon D6's in captivity to up my low light capabilities over my D500 and D850 and then jumped on a sudden sale and availability of a refurbished Nikkor 600 f/4 E from Nikon. So far so good and since I will be 73 in a few weeks I decided to do it and go shoot while I still can :) Now looking at a supply chain that seems to be even more problematic I am happy to be able to go click away with my new toys as I maneuver time and day around the heat and smoke out here in Idaho :)
 
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Ken Miracle said:
Yes at first I had a few doubts when I splurged and bought one of the few Nikon D6's in captivity to up my low light capabilities over my D500 and D850 and then jumped on a sudden sale and availability of a refurbished Nikkor 600 f/4 PF from Nikon. So far so good and since I will be 73 in a few weeks I decided to do it and go shoot while I still can :) Now looking at a supply chain that seems to be even more problematic I am happy to be able to go click away with my new toys as I maneuver time and day around the heat and smoke out here in Idaho :)
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Life is too short not too, good job!
 
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Last time I looked at my Nikon product it was marked "Made in China". With the majority of chip sets made in China, the same chip sets/chip set production lines are not just used for cameras and lenses. China has found a way to cripple the world and the world economy while they have built up their military.
Every time we have gotten into a war we've start out weak and we're in an economic war. Hopefully our American companies and Japanese companies will prevail. The Chinese have never forgiven the Japanese for WWII.
 
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EricBowles said:
You can find examples of exceptional service and poor service for any company. Canon provided a lot more support at more events than Nikon and staffed their events with a lot more reps. That was largely a staffing and marketing decision. They laid off most of that staff three years ago.

My contact with Nikon's pro support is exceptional. You don't develop a relationship when you need something - you develop a relationship first and when you need something, you know where to go for help.

There are plenty of Canon stories that are similar to the Nikon story you describe. Take a look at Piper McKay's blog about her struggles with Canon and ultimate switch to Nikon.
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I agree with your points, but was just relating a vicarious experience from my formative photography years. I was already in the Nikon camp when I heard about this, but my cohorts weren't and that was one thing that caused many of them to go with Canon over Nikon. My point is that Nikon, or any company, can be hurt tremendously when they don't take care of their customers, no matter how big or small.

And I'm sure that there are many similar experiences with Canon, and others. To me, it appears that this is an area that Nikon could have done better at in the past, and that they are still effected by it. I know that some professionals, amatuers too, that change equipment and brands very frequently, there are some who are married to a brand for life. It's the latter ones that a company wants to get, and keep.

I tried to visit the blog entry you referenced, but couldn't seem to find it, since there is so much other really good stuff posted alongside it! I had never heard of Piper McKay before you mentioned her, but now I'm a fan of hers!
 
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Backdoor Arts said:
Hey, conspiracy theorist, the Canon rep I know said that I will likely get the 14-35mm before he even sees one. A brand new Canon 100-500mm does not exist on a single shelf for purchase in the US. He can't get products into the hands of pros begging for them. So sure, it's contrived. :rolleyes:

The world rages with Covid, and countries without a vaccine are getting hit even harder now as new variants threaten to shut down reopening shipping pipelines and manufacturing. God forbid we have to shoot with what we have for another year.
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And don't forget about a fire at a chip production plant within the last two years. It's not like a new plant can be built, furnished and staffed overnight.
 
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DRwyoming said:
And even crazier, that company invented the first practical digital camera but didn't want to let it compete with their existing product lines :)

www.businessinsider.com

This man invented the digital camera in 1975 — and his bosses at Kodak never let it see the light of day

Steven Sasson pioneered both the digital camera and the DSLR, but his bosses at Kodak never put full effort behind him.
www.businessinsider.com www.businessinsider.com
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Didn't the Xerox copier also come out of Kodak, but Kodak passed it on because they thought there was no future to it?
 
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Whiskeyman said:
I tried to visit the blog entry you referenced, but couldn't seem to find it, since there is so much other really good stuff posted alongside it! I had never heard of Piper McKay before you mentioned her, but now I'm a fan of hers!
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It looks like Piper pulled the posts that spoke about her problems with Canon. That is probably a good move.

Here is the post about her switch to Nikon.
www.pipermackayphotography.com

My recent switch to Nikon - Piper Mackay Photography

My switch to Nikon was not a knee-jerk reaction to the shiniest new toy to hit the market, but had been a very long time coming.I wrote about it all the way
www.pipermackayphotography.com www.pipermackayphotography.com

I suspect part of it came from her friend Deb Sandidge who is a Nikon Ambassador. I talked with her about it in early 2018.

Piper is currently shooting multiple Nikon Z bodies including IR as well as conventional.
 
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NorthernFocus said:
IMO you're half right. They can't afford to make flush inventory for both lines. They've made the decision where they're going and it's not more DSLRs. So yes they're forcing us to make a choice. Canon shooters are in the same dilemma. Scarce inventory of high end lenses.
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I think your right and it makes sense, also the profit margins on mirror less cameras and lenses is so so much more attractive..........for Nikon.
Lower resale prices for DSLRs is going south so fast, jumping into the Z series is better sooner than later.

Oz down under
 
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Etching House said:
I think your right and it makes sense, also the profit margins on mirror less cameras and lenses is so so much more attractive..........for Nikon.
Lower resale prices for DSLRs is going south so fast, jumping into the Z series is better sooner than later.

Oz down under
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A new "Old Fashioned" me ... when I decided to stay with DSLR for the foreseeable future it was a slow down for me from my chase for new tech ... sold off a lot of stuff when I acquired the D6 and hard to find at the time refurbished 600 f/4 E. I plan on enjoying what I have and focusing on chasing new birds and photo ops instead of learning new gear for the next few years ... while I can still do gorilla photography.
 
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EricBowles said:
It looks like Piper pulled the posts that spoke about her problems with Canon. That is probably a good move.

Here is the post about her switch to Nikon.
www.pipermackayphotography.com

My recent switch to Nikon - Piper Mackay Photography

My switch to Nikon was not a knee-jerk reaction to the shiniest new toy to hit the market, but had been a very long time coming.I wrote about it all the way
www.pipermackayphotography.com www.pipermackayphotography.com

I suspect part of it came from her friend Deb Sandidge who is a Nikon Ambassador. I talked with her about it in early 2018.

Piper is currently shooting multiple Nikon Z bodies including IR as well as conventional.
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Interesting article from 2018 and her findings remain equally as valid today as 3 years ago... if you compare dSLR to dSLR line-ups. Nikon remains untouchable and will likely remain untouchable because at the pace things are changing it's not too far fetched to think we have seen the last generation dSLRs in all brands.

Fast forward 3 years - if she was still Canon, I wonder if she would make the same change if it was choosing between R5 and Z7ii. The image quality of the Z7ii is still a bit better but the gap is not as massive as it used to. The R5's AF is superior and its video capabilities more advanced. For those who stayed with Canon, the appeal to change is nothing like it was 3 to 5 years ago.

And that's what all of us sticking with Nikon for now are hoping for in reverse :) but it is a tough exercise in self-moderation!
 
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EricBowles said:
It looks like Piper pulled the posts that spoke about her problems with Canon. That is probably a good move.

Here is the post about her switch to Nikon.
www.pipermackayphotography.com

My recent switch to Nikon - Piper Mackay Photography

My switch to Nikon was not a knee-jerk reaction to the shiniest new toy to hit the market, but had been a very long time coming.I wrote about it all the way
www.pipermackayphotography.com www.pipermackayphotography.com

I suspect part of it came from her friend Deb Sandidge who is a Nikon Ambassador. I talked with her about it in early 2018.

Piper is currently shooting multiple Nikon Z bodies including IR as well as conventional.
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Eric, I found two older blogs linked in the blog you referenced. Interesting stuff, thank you.
 
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Have you tried buying directly from NikonUSA? I bought a 200-500 awhile back and after not enjoying it they took it back almost a month after the return date passed, they allowed me to exchange it for a full credit for something else. They have excellent customer service. Also, when no one else had the 500PF, they did.
 
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EricBowles said:
You can find examples of exceptional service and poor service for any company. Canon provided a lot more support at more events than Nikon and staffed their events with a lot more reps. That was largely a staffing and marketing decision. They laid off most of that staff three years ago.

My contact with Nikon's pro support is exceptional. You don't develop a relationship when you need something - you develop a relationship first and when you need something, you know where to go for help.

There are plenty of Canon stories that are similar to the Nikon story you describe. Take a look at Piper McKay's blog about her struggles with Canon and ultimate switch to Nikon.
Click to expand...
I found most companies treat you well if you treat them well. Bulling a rep may get you part way there but you will bukd a lot of resentment that in the long term will hurt. Reps and will help you, if they can.

The case of consumer abuse was years ago we were to visit my sister and family right around Christmas. We were flying through Detroit to Miami and due to weather the flights were delayed. The jerk ahead of us was yelling at the gate agent, as if she had personally caused his flight to be delayed. After nearly 20 minutes of this abuse, he finally left. When we got up the counter the first I did was apologize for this jerk. We had a good discussion and she helped us as much as she could. She could not change the weather, nor make grounded flight take off, but she helped us understand our options. In the end we made it, only a few hours late. Not sure what happened to the jerk ahead of us, hope he got stuck in Detroit for a few days.:devilish:
 
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EricBowles said:
It looks like Piper pulled the posts that spoke about her problems with Canon. That is probably a good move.

Here is the post about her switch to Nikon.
www.pipermackayphotography.com

My recent switch to Nikon - Piper Mackay Photography

My switch to Nikon was not a knee-jerk reaction to the shiniest new toy to hit the market, but had been a very long time coming.I wrote about it all the way
www.pipermackayphotography.com www.pipermackayphotography.com

I suspect part of it came from her friend Deb Sandidge who is a Nikon Ambassador. I talked with her about it in early 2018.

Piper is currently shooting multiple Nikon Z bodies including IR as well as conventional.
Click to expand...
Eric, thanks for the pointer to Piper MacKay. Really interesting and good info that's re-ignited my desire to see Africa. Never been. Up until now Alaska has been my refuge :) Time to try something new.
 
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RichF said:
I found most companies treat you well if you treat them well. Bulling a rep may get you part way there but you will bukd a lot of resentment that in the long term will hurt. Reps and will help you, if they can.

The case of consumer abuse was years ago we were to visit my sister and family right around Christmas. We were flying through Detroit to Miami and due to weather the flights were delayed. The jerk ahead of us was yelling at the gate agent, as if she had personally caused his flight to be delayed. After nearly 20 minutes of this abuse, he finally left. When we got up the counter the first I did was apologize for this jerk. We had a good discussion and she helped us as much as she could. She could not change the weather, nor make grounded flight take off, but she helped us understand our options. In the end we made it, only a few hours late. Not sure what happened to the jerk ahead of us, hope he got stuck in Detroit for a few days.:devilish:
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Yeah, customer service is a tricky thing. Like you, I've sometimes been irate by the behavior of others. But then, there have been times when "customer service" has been abysmal. It all depends upon the situation. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, until they betray my sense of decency.
 
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