Curious case of the Nikon D700

It all started with a burst of impulsiveness, as it usually happens. The photographer grumbled that his instruments did little justice to his skill. Somehow, the photos - though very good in their own right, were not really conveying what was meant to be. And so it started - the research that preludes frantic buying sessions.

The buying sessions themselves are a sight to behold. Days and weeks of homework makes one "zero in" on the intended 'investment' - a politically correct term used willingly with audacity to veil the stupidity of buying something exorbitantly expensive from a respected brand, when the question of whether really having earned it would bring the flying fool back to earth. Watch as the prey is fixed in focus from afar. The other items on display are glanced through as if they were objects of someone's imagination. For onlookers, it is just a normal window-shopper ogling at things that would be surely out of reach. But they fail to notice the glee in the eyes as every passing moment means there's precious little time left for the item to 'shopping bagged'. With the power bestowed by that human creation of heavenly proportions, called so contemptuously as the Credit Card, the final lunge is made. The item is whisked off its placed and held suspended for sometime. It is a pleasure indescribable to those who shop more and bargain harder. There's no bargain here, for it is known, not many can afford this. The sinister smile is hidden. The nervous shaking of the hands is kept in check by the brain, releasing the quota of blood ever so slowly while indulging itself in the energy juice. The next moves are swift as a Falcons'. The shopper may linger around for some time; may be indulge in some bonus shopping at the shop. The incredible offers at the place were what made this store the hunting ground. The items bagged, time to pay. The friendly smile and customary greetings are done with a feeling so warm, that the real intentions are doubted. The heavenly object is whipped out, swiped, the check signed, the items are officially handed over and out walks a triumphant victor with trophies in tow. Repayment be damned! This moment is to be enjoyed!

The research started initially as harmless information gathering. It was the first time that photography and cameras were dealt with so seriously. This kind of information gathering was usually reserved for Computer Hardware. There were a couple of new cameras on the market. But this was a new playing field. So it had to start with relating to what was known and what was available. While researching for Junior's camera, the reviews of the Nikon D90 and the D700 were read with utmost care and patience. These were like the towering idols of the "Newfoundworld". Sample shots with the Nikon S600 (Junior's camera), renewed faith. The photographer's tools were indeed cutting short achievements. Landscapes, Night/low-light shots, big prints were all to be captured in a way the mind saw, but others rarely noticed. Days and days of reading and mental notes, would finally make the case stronger for the D700. The days of "silence before the storm" passed. "I need the D700" came the cry from within. There was to be no waiting.

It was a calm Sunday on the 30th of November 2008. Lunch was at a friend's place. The mind though was fixated. Every thing was a passing scene. The senses were numbed. The only truth was the D700. It was a very uncomfortable period to pass. The anxiety writ large on the face. The friends' began to worry. They were unaware of the mind's workings. "The food was well done", realised the mind hours later.
It must have been 15 minutes past lunch, when the account on Amazon UK was logged on to. The exact location of the page, the seller, the price, the details, the delivery period, the delay and, the import taxes, everything was calculated beforehand. Couple of clicks, typing strokes, Credit card details, final check and "Purchase". The climax was over in a few moments, just like a shopping session. The trophy, though, was to be had in hand after a couple of days. The triumphant feeling was missing.
Ominous signs of the universe pointing towards disappointment in this deal. This was always present at the back of the mind. It was wished though, that they don't prove correct.
How many times has that feeling been proved wrong?
Never, and so it was to be this time also!
Within hours came a message, "Thank you for your order. We regret to inform you that the seller has unfortunately run out of stock. Therefore the order can not be completed. Your credit card has not been charged. We regret the inconvenience caused. We hope you shop with us again."
There was no time to be lost. An order had to be put in place for the mind to be at peace. Thus began the frantic searching of locations where it could be bought. Couple of hours passed and finally a seller was located on Amazon US. This time there were to be no mistakes or "out of stock" messages to get. After ensuring that the seller had sufficient stock. The order was placed.
Melancholic peace.
Tense moments passed by. The next morning it was a dash to the office. The inbox held more importance that morning than anything. "No one to greet in the office. Good! Log on fast". As each click reduced the distance to the inbox, the feeling of disappointment had already started to fill up the veins like poison. Unsuccessful attempts were made to shake it off. The truth can never be shaken off!
"Thank you for your order. Unfortunately there was a problem processing your credit card, hence the order could not be completed and has been subsequently cancelled. Please contact your bank to resolve this issue. We regret the inconvenience caused. We hope you shop with us again." This was not seen coming.
The bank is in a different time zone. They start after a couple of hours. Every minute passes like an eternity. The blood has started to become sour.
Strike of the hour, call to the bank, knowledge gained. Amazon UK had cancelled the order, but the amount was approved by the bank. This meant, there was no money available now till either Amazon UK claimed or cancelled it, or 7 working days had passed without anyone claiming the approved amount. The Nikon D700 had to wait for another day. Predicted heartbreak. Focus was now on the MBA exams. The funds would be available exactly the day the exams ended. Date marked, the exams had to be dealt with along the way.

How was hope in the D700 to be kept alive?

30th November (the same eventful day), an order was placed with a third-party seller on Amazon UK for a Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR IF-ED Lens. Transaction and Order approved! The seller had an important role to play later.
"Post-processing plays a big part in getting your photos to look like what you want" - another lesson learnt during the research stage. Instead of going for softwares made by others, the Nikon Capture NX2 software was ordered on 30th November from a Germany based seller through Amazon UK.
1st December 2008, saw reviews of the D700 being read again. Amazon UK was being scanned for anything that would be of interest.
A camera bag! Darn! How could one forget that? Considering the big size (dimensionally) of the D700, something snug enough would still be big. Then two bags would have to be carried during travel - one for the camera and lenses, and the other for the laptop. Ah!
Sling-bags didn't impress and so a combination was sought. Like the rule of the Universe, "You get what you find for", the Lowepro Fastpack 350 Quick Access Backpack was found. It was being sold by the same German seller from Amazon UK. What luck! Both orders were combined and the transactions were approved.
What next?
"Where do you store your photographs you idiot?" said the inner voice. Ah! The memory cards!
First trial, 30th November - UK based seller through Amazon UK. "Not in stock. Order cancelled."
Second trial, 30th November - UK based seller through Amazon UK. "Not able to deliver. Order cancelled."
Not enough money available in the card. Wait for 7 working days or use another card!
Third trial, 3rd December 2008 - US based seller through Amazon US. "Let's hope this works!"
Reply from seller after a week, "Out of stock. Order cancelled". How orders get accepted for stocks that aren't there, is still a mystery!

Give us a break! Order something that you know you will get.
Hmmm.........

Research suggested that the 24-120mm lens is not good enough. A better lens had to be bought. Desirable lenses were out of reach. Money availability suddenly started becoming a factor for consideration. The heavenly object showing signs of being made by humans and therefore showing imperfections in perfection.
The Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S lens was chosen after a brief period of research. It was the only desirable item that could be bought under prevailing conditions. And so it was, on 4th December 2008, from a US based seller through Amazon US. Order and transaction confirmed!
Time to repay the bills for all the virtually accrued items - 5th December 2008. Also the day I have to leave for home. 5 days to go for the MBA exams.
Still no memory cards.........

The week from 7th December 2008 to 13th December 2008 is best described as, "In the first half, I was studying for the exams. In the second half, I was writing exams." That was the story of the week.
The stress of exams kept the anxiety pangs about the camera and the accessories at bay. Not that the mail inboxes were not checked for mails about failed deals. They were! The mind though was occupied with "trying hard not to score a zero".
Impulsive photos taken on Junior's camera provided relief from the stress and also kept the aspirations of the D700 alive.

13th December 2008 - the day that had been marked. The money was available again for the camera to be bought. It was there in the account the previous day. The focus on the exams was not to be disturbed.
End of exams, end of a period of waiting, end of the trip home, but would it be the end of disappointments and twists in the tale?
"It is not supposed to fail this time." Research showed the 24-120 lens seller to be giving out the best price for the camera. The delivery though was to be after Boxing Day (26th December). It wasn't a gift for someone. "When will it arrive?" was trivial compared to "Will it arrive?" The order was placed for the D700. Dispatch dates had to be confirmed.

16th December 2008 - the 17-35mm lens arrived.17th December 2008 - the 24-120mm lens arrived. The agony of not being able to mount these lenses on the camera and shoot some test shots was subdued. Their beauty was appreciated both in reality and day-dreams. Patience had become an adopted virtue.

Meanwhile, the storage cards were not being delivered by any of the sellers on Amazon UK and US. A colleague suggested that I look for it on Ebay India. That's a pretty good idea! Within minutes, Voila! The Sandisk Extreme IV 4GB Compact Flash-I card was ordered on 18th December 2008. It would be the supporting card to the Sandisk Extreme III 16GB Compact Flash-I card that was desired.
"Two birds in hand are better than one in the bush", said the voice. 19th December 2008, the Sandisk Extreme IV 8GB Compact Flash-I card was ordered from the same dealer as the 4GB card. The seller called on 20th December, "Unfortunately, the stock for the Extreme IV 4GB card has run out. Could you please accept the Sandisk Extreme 4GB Ducati Edition as replacement for no extra charges?" What kind of fool would turn down a gold coin being given as replacement for a silver one? An unexpected stroke of luck! The replacement was accepted.
29th December 2008 - the storage cards arrived.
No news yet about the delivery of the camera. Disappointment again?

The transaction had been cancelled by the bank. The money was available again. Still no news from the seller.
Mails to Amazon UK and the seller were sent. "Your order was delayed due to the large number of orders placed during the holiday season. We shall update you shortly."
It was news too late. Faith was lost on the D700 being delivered by the UK seller. An alternate order was placed on 28th December 2008 with a reputed camera seller based in the US. Subsequently mails were sent to the UK seller to cancel the order.
"Great news. Your order is in the last stages of being processed and shall be dispatched any time." Darn!
The US order was cancelled.
A re-thought. Mails were sent to confirm the dispatch of the D700. Ambiguous responses implied the obvious. The order with the UK seller was finally cancelled. It was heart-breaking for such a good deal to end this way.
A re-order with the same reputed US based seller was done on 30th December 2008.

Did we forget something?
Yup!
There was not enough money available for the second transaction. Because the bank had approved the first transaction by the seller. Man!
So, it is now, "either wait for 7 working days for the money to be available" - by which time the second transaction would get cancelled, or cancel the re-order.
Few decisions in life are to be taken with a cold-heart. This was one of those few.
The order was cancelled.
Alternate options to buy the camera locally were rejected as it would be a grey-market good. Times of distress and desperation drive men to do unimaginable things. This was a time to maintain sanity even if it meant being pushed to the edge.

The software and camera bag arrived on 30th December 2008, after a brief scare that the item was on its way back to Germany after having reached in India.
Sense of humour prevailed in the tense situation. The big fat manual of the software was in German! The search for an accompanying dictionary or the book "how to read a German manual" or the book "learn German in 30 days" was in vain.

The status-quo read: Lenses - check! Memory card - check! Camera bag - check! Software - check! Camera - pending!
How long will this have to be endured? Is there no end to one's patience?
Financial planning revealed a long list of pending payments that had to be cleared. No one likes to be in the red. A cool mind took over the passionate heart. It was time to lay dreams to rest.

One Sunday, recently, the photographer was placing all items in the camera bag. It was like pieces of a broken dream being placed in a box. Each item held a memory of its own, a feeling, an emotion created during the period of chasing that elusive dream. The photographer could feel it in the touch. The 17-35mm lens was held in hand and the visuals of it mounted on the D700 ran through the mind. The heart cried a tear. The lens was placed and the bag was closed.
The dream had ended, hope extinguished. The evening - sad. The night - lonely and dark.

Every so often in life, we overestimate our strength (both inner and physical) and underestimate that of Nature. Our hope lasts as long as our faith in God. But God's faith in us is not selfish like ours.
The money for the D700 is available again.
An order for a Nikon SB-400 flash was placed on Ebay India on 13th January 2009.