Nikon camera production

[K1W1]

I saw this on Thom Hogans site.

"Dec 24--Nikon has upped production of the D3 from the initial planned 8,000 units a month to 10,000 and the D300 from the initial 60,000 units a month to 70,000."

I can't conceive that many boxes with cameras in them leaving the factory each month and of course those numbers don't include D40/x, D80, the high end bodies or any lenses.
Explanation: When I say "leaving the factory" I am speaking figuratively (Mr Coldrain et al). I do know that there are multiple Nikon factories in several countries.

[erichlund]

Yeah, it does boggle the mind a bit. They sell for $1800, except in Australia (sorry, couldn't resist). You have to figure that they cost a third or less to produce, then there's distribution costs and retail profits and overhead. They probably make $100 or $200 per camera. That's still 7 to 14 million dollars a month. Of course, I could be totally off base on the profit model, but you have to assume a new model is raking in the dough for a good while.

[LR Max]

True. They are making a pretty penny on their new cameras.

On the flipside, my D300 has made my job A LOT easier, suprisingly. The camera is just that much better. It is doing such a good job that it'll pay for itself before the new year and will have under 7,000 shutter actuations.

Not a bad tradeoff, for a piece of equipment to pay for itself within 2 months of its purchase and within 1/15th of its recommended service life.

[XaiLo]

Sounds like a happy camper in the house :)

[LR Max]

Sounds like a happy camper in the house :)

Hahaha. Geez, am I the only one!!??