I had it on order with B&H for a couple of months. I was lucky to find the 100-400 and 2x TC at a local camera store. Even the guy at the store was surprised they had it. Apparently they got two in and only one was spoken for. But I really wanted that 1.4x because my plan was to replace the 200-500 and adapter with that combo until they finally released the 200-600. I finally called Nikon and the guy said they weren’t getting many and they were filling direct orders before supplying stores. They showed as backordered at Nikon too, but within a week I got notification it was shipping. I ordered my 180-600 direct from Nikon too. I hope it’s in the first batch.

Characterization of the technology as discarded and no longer desired is based on the myopic and panicked view of a small population of highly excitable people. The total number of high-end cameras being produced by all companies is in reality a very small number against the total number of photographers. The hype, while fun for some, is close to meaningless in the total photography marketplace. Only a very small percentage of photographers can or will spend $4,000-6000 for a camera or $10,000-30,000 for a complete system, especially if they have already done it before.

There will be an ongoing market for reasonably priced photographic equipment. The makers have let us know it will not be satisfied by them. That is the classic foundation for a strong secondary market. Just wait 8-10 years until the carmakers fulfill their promise and quit making internal combustion powered cars. Watch what that does to the market for nice used ones.

The pressure to dump is irrational. It plays straight to the desire of the manufacturers for us to spend money with them that doesn't really need to be spent...at least not right now. In my mind, it borders on being fraudulent. Have you noticed that the manufacturers aren't actually promoting it? They don't have to. They are allowing key segments of their customer base to do it for them.

I very well may eventually buy a Z8 or something similar. But not now. And I won't dump my existing equipment to do it. While I might sell it, it's more likely that I'll give it (or at least some of it) to two outstanding teachers who have become really good friends, who will know exactly what to do with it, and who will love to have it.

D500 was a great camera. Hard to understand why Nikon discontinued it. D850 is still the greatest DSLR anyone ever made, and probably ever will. I personally shoot with a D600 and a D750. Same sensor, same memory cards, same battery. Really, the two models are so similar that I have to look at them to see which one I have in my hands. Why haven't I bought a Z camera? The Z8 is a compelling camera with much improved AF. I'd like that. But despite the massive increase in megapixels, image quality isn't much different. So to go to a Z8 I'm spending $4,000 plus, and that assumes I'm happy using my F lenses with the FTZ converter. Add the converter to the Z8 and the rig is going to be heavier than my D750. If I can't see a difference in image quality, do I really want to spend $4K and move to a heavier rig to get better AF? Granted, it's a LOT better AF, but still, that's a LOT of money. After a decade using the D750 I know it like it's an extension of my hand. No way can I see making a change unless the old D finally moves on to camera heaven.

Think about this. In two years Nikon will release another new camera. Maybe a Z8II, and your Z8 will already be losing value and taking a step toward obsolescence. So I'm still sitting here wondering why would you want to move on from one of the best wildlife cameras anyone ever made, the D500, and the absolutely best DSLR anyone ever made, unless you have to?