It’s true, the mythical creature does exist! — But apparently not at the big box online retailers. I was in Charlotte for the day, and decided to stop into Biggs Camera on a lark, and there, behind the counter, was a box that was labeled: Nikon D850. I asked the guy behind the counter if there was really something in it and he said there was. It was his last one. So I plunked down my bucks (unfortunately with tax), and now it’s sitting in the seat next to me and I have a big smile.It’s true what people here are saying: If you want one of these, you have to look to the smaller, local stores. My 6-week-old order at B&H has been cancelled. Can’t wait to get home to unbox!

Congratulation! Buy pure chance I picked one up last month after ordering it online from Best Buy. After ordering I went to my local store just to confirm it was indeed available (been through this before with BB) and was assured that it was available. Two days later I had it. It seems you really just need to be lucky (my case) and/or persistent checking sources you trust.

I think you're right. The guy at Biggs told me that -- being smaller -- they went through their wait list fairly quickly, so now they're selling as they normally would, to new, interested buyers.I believe that's the challenge with the big-box online retailers. They have such HUGE wait lists that moving your way to the top takes a lot of time. I've heard things, too, about members of professional photography orgs are getting bumped up higher on the list with places like B&H and such. I don't know if that's true, but if so, it certainly compounds the wait list for the rest of the world.I'm glad I took the chance to stop into Biggs and take a look. Great store, too. I'll be doing more business with them for sure. And man, this camera is NICE! Wading my way through Thom Hogan's D850 tome as we speak. This thing sure beats the hell out of my older models.

I am happy for you, and also happy for Biggs Camera.

jjudson wrote:It’s true, the mythical creature does exist! — But apparently not at the big box online retailers. I was in Charlotte for the day, and decided to stop into Biggs Camera on a lark, and there, behind the counter, was a box that was labeled: Nikon D850. I asked the guy behind the counter if there was really something in it and he said there was. It was his last one. So I plunked down my bucks (unfortunately with tax), and now it’s sitting in the seat next to me and I have a big smile.It’s true what people here are saying: If you want one of these, you have to look to the smaller, local stores. My 6-week-old order at B&H has been cancelled. Can’t wait to get home to unbox!Even more amazing is you found an actual, physical camera store.  I've never seen one with my own eyes..  only heard stories and seen photos of them.Well that is outside of the 'local' bestbuy which has cameras on display... but its a different atmosphere there with limited gear and less technical clerks...

Smitty1 wrote:Even more amazing is you found an actual, physical camera store. I've never seen one with my own eyes.. only heard stories and seen photos of them.Ain't that the truth!...sadly.

Got mine Tuesday night after a friend asked me to research settings for the D850 she was going to rent.  We've been using D500s & I have a D810 too. The next day another friend called to ask if I wanted a D850.  He's planning a major trip to S America & wanted a D850.  He ordered one a while back but was afraid it wouldn't come in time.  When another friend called to say she could get two locally, he told her to get him one.  In the meantime, his wife had also ordered him one.  Suddenly within two days, he had three D850s.  Now his wife get's one, and I got the other.  It had to be fate!

JJYou will be very happyI hope you have some lenses to go with itha ha

jjudson wrote:It’s true, the mythical creature does exist! — But apparently not at the big box online retailers. I was in Charlotte for the day, and decided to stop into Biggs Camera on a lark, and there, behind the counter, was a box that was labeled: Nikon D850. I asked the guy behind the counter if there was really something in it and he said there was. It was his last one. So I plunked down my bucks (unfortunately with tax), and now it’s sitting in the seat next to me and I have a big smile.It’s true what people here are saying: If you want one of these, you have to look to the smaller, local stores. My 6-week-old order at B&H has been cancelled. Can’t wait to get home to unbox!That is exactly the type of store I got mine Sept. 7, 2017 the first day it was out - I actually got a call from the store manager an hour later it was mine.......

Old Greenlander wrote:JJYou will be very happyI hope you have some lenses to go with itha haIt’s ironic how one big purchase leads to other big purchases. My wife is going to hate that she “bought” this camera for my birthday!

vbuhay wrote:jjudson wrote:It’s true, the mythical creature does exist! — But apparently not at the big box online retailers. I was in Charlotte for the day, and decided to stop into Biggs Camera on a lark, and there, behind the counter, was a box that was labeled: Nikon D850. I asked the guy behind the counter if there was really something in it and he said there was. It was his last one. So I plunked down my bucks (unfortunately with tax), and now it’s sitting in the seat next to me and I have a big smile.It’s true what people here are saying: If you want one of these, you have to look to the smaller, local stores. My 6-week-old order at B&H has been cancelled. Can’t wait to get home to unbox!That is exactly the type of store I got mine Sept. 7, 2017 the first day it was out - I actually got a call from the store manager an hour later it was mine.......

Seconded. After having an open order at B&H for a couple weeks, and reading here about people who've been waiting much longer, I put myself on the waiting list at Roberts Camera in Indiana and Precision Camera here in Austin. Roberts emailed me three days later saying they had one ready for me, and giving me until 2pm the next day to arrange payment. I couldn't be happier with their service.If you want one, hit up some of the smaller local places.Cheers,Stephen

jjudson wrote:Smitty1 wrote:Even more amazing is you found an actual, physical camera store. I've never seen one with my own eyes.. only heard stories and seen photos of them.Ain't that the truth!...sadly.Most major cities have a brick and mortar store (other than BB).  In Maryland, I have a choice of 3 professional level stores withing reasonable driving distance.  In PA i have one with two branches.  I have nothing against B&H or Adorama but I prefer the personal "touch" which is not provided by them.  Sales tax will not be an issue very soon either as everyone will be on an equal footing.

jjudson wrote:It’s true, the mythical creature does exist! — But apparently not at the big box online retailers. I was in Charlotte for the day, and decided to stop into Biggs Camera on a lark, and there, behind the counter, was a box that was labeled: Nikon D850. I asked the guy behind the counter if there was really something in it and he said there was. It was his last one. So I plunked down my bucks (unfortunately with tax), and now it’s sitting in the seat next to me and I have a big smile.It’s true what people here are saying: If you want one of these, you have to look to the smaller, local stores. My 6-week-old order at B&H has been cancelled. Can’t wait to get home to unbox!Congratulations for snagging your D850 - nice camera (I have one since March) just don't forget the XQD cards and fast SD card to go with it also spare battery is a must until you figure out how to save power.My EL15 for my D800 is not as good for the D850, you really need an extra EL15aAs far as memory card go XQD @ 400MB/s is a must - but don't forget to upgrade your SD card to a SDXC U3 @ 300MB/s - your old SD card will not cut it. I am using my old 95MB/s Sandisk and boy does it slows your camera down - especially when you shot in burst - takes forever to clear the buffer and that is only storing JPG images.

Our local stores match the online prices.

mais51 wrote:As far as memory card go XQD @ 400MB/s is a must - but don't forget to upgrade your SD card to a SDXC U3 @ 300MB/s - your old SD card will not cut it,.I did get the XQD G card, which I should say -- while nice -- is ridiculously expensive! And worse, the readers are highway robbery.I guess this is what happens when Nikon picks an obscure memory card and Sony knows they have them over the barrel.I didn't get an SD card yet. The 300MB/s ones are pretty pricey, too. I'll wait a bit until the prices come down. The XQD will work fine for now. My old camera used a CompactFlash, so that didn't help.Definitely loving this camera. A lot of power shoved into a small package! Nikon hit the ball out of the park with this one.

jjudson wrote:mais51 wrote:As far as memory card go XQD @ 400MB/s is a must - but don't forget to upgrade your SD card to a SDXC U3 @ 300MB/s - your old SD card will not cut it,.I did get the XQD G card, which I should say -- while nice -- is ridiculously expensive! And worse, the readers are highway robbery.I guess this is what happens when Nikon picks an obscure memory card and Sony knows they have them over the barrel.I didn't get an SD card yet. The 300MB/s ones are pretty pricey, too. I'll wait a bit until the prices come down. The XQD will work fine for now. My old camera used a CompactFlash, so that didn't help.Definitely loving this camera. A lot of power shoved into a small package! Nikon hit the ball out of the park with this one.in my thinking, the XQD issue is atechnical collusion....Sony owns the technology, Nikon need the need speed required for their latest DSLR. So Sony  allows Nikon to use XQD but controls (not every one can used) the licensing of the technology thus pretty much gets the profits from the memory format...meanwhile Nikon get an non completion with Sony DSLRs. So there are only 2 manufacturers who makes the XQD Memory card Sony and .... While Sony do not have any still camera that uses the XQS....is that about right? There maybe a time limit to This "Collution"... it remains to be seen....

vbuhay wrote:jjudson wrote:mais51 wrote:As far as memory card go XQD @ 400MB/s is a must - but don't forget to upgrade your SD card to a SDXC U3 @ 300MB/s - your old SD card will not cut it,.I did get the XQD G card, which I should say -- while nice -- is ridiculously expensive! And worse, the readers are highway robbery.I guess this is what happens when Nikon picks an obscure memory card and Sony knows they have them over the barrel.I didn't get an SD card yet. The 300MB/s ones are pretty pricey, too. I'll wait a bit until the prices come down. The XQD will work fine for now. My old camera used a CompactFlash, so that didn't help.Definitely loving this camera. A lot of power shoved into a small package! Nikon hit the ball out of the park with this one.in my thinking, the XQD issue is atechnical collusion....Sony owns the technology, Nikon need the need speed required for their latest DSLR. So Sony allows Nikon to use XQD but controls (not every one can used) the licensing of the technology thus pretty much gets the profits from the memory format...meanwhile Nikon get an non completion with Sony DSLRs. So there are only 2 manufacturers who makes the XQD Memory card Sony and .... While Sony do not have any still camera that uses the XQS....is that about right? There maybe a time limit to This "Collution"... it remains to be seen....I beg to differThe XQD card while is expensive have you take a look at the price of a 300MB/s SD card ? they are in fact more expensive than the top Sony XQD - Here in Australia a Panasonic 128 G SDXC U 3 costs $699 AUD retail, a Sandisk $399 AUD and a Sony version costs $299 AUD - the Sony XQD @400 MB/s is only $349XQD USB3 adapter while a bit pricey it is only $32 AUD - and a combined XQD/SD reader would set you back $76 AUD - but really you don't need it if you already have a CF/SD card reader.All prices are sourced from digidirect.com.au to the nearest dollar

jjudson wrote:mais51 wrote:As far as memory card go XQD @ 400MB/s is a must - but don't forget to upgrade your SD card to a SDXC U3 @ 300MB/s - your old SD card will not cut it,.I did get the XQD G card, which I should say -- while nice -- is ridiculously expensive! And worse, the readers are highway robbery.I guess this is what happens when Nikon picks an obscure memory card and Sony knows they have them over the barrel.I didn't get an SD card yet. The 300MB/s ones are pretty pricey, too. I'll wait a bit until the prices come down. The XQD will work fine for now. My old camera used a CompactFlash, so that didn't help.Definitely loving this camera. A lot of power shoved into a small package! Nikon hit the ball out of the park with this one.To me XQD is the right card - it is robust, small and fast, the pins are fully protected so no chance of them being damaged - and if the CF Express is going to be used then the XQD slot hardware is fully compatible with the new format - all it needs is a firmware update from Nikon.

jjudson wrote:It’s true, the mythical creature does exist! — But apparently not at the big box online retailers. I was in Charlotte for the day, and decided to stop into Biggs Camera on a lark, and there, behind the counter, was a box that was labeled: Nikon D850. I asked the guy behind the counter if there was really something in it and he said there was. It was his last one. So I plunked down my bucks (unfortunately with tax), and now it’s sitting in the seat next to me and I have a big smile.It’s true what people here are saying: If you want one of these, you have to look to the smaller, local stores. My 6-week-old order at B&H has been cancelled. Can’t wait to get home to unbox!Hey, so I did give you another like.But I sure wish I could just plop down $3k for anything, anywhere, anytime !I'm a Canon guy... But that D850 is my dream camera...