Nikon D300, out of stock or discounted in stores in the US, France and Sweden. D40 and D80 discontinued in Europe.

(Last update: may 18, 2009)

The Nikon D300 – launched in August 2007 – is available with an instant rebate at Adorama (- $ 100) en FNAC - France (- 5%), out of stock at B&H, and disappeared at Costco (at the moment of writing; it now reappeared with the 18-200 VR and a 2 Gb. memory card for $ 2.330). In the meantime, in Sweden they are, apparently, selling the D300 demonstration models.

Add to that, that already 3 weeks ago a "BestBuy" client reported that a salesman had told him that once stock was out, there would not be no more D300s, and it becomes unavoidable to think that after the D200 (discontinued 2 weeks ago and now to be had for $ 600 at BestBuy) the D300 will soon disappear from the Nikon product line as well.

It appears to be dead-man-walking season: I found the the D40 listed as discontinued on the Nikon Spain website on april 23, the D80 on may 5 in Spain and the Netherlands and by now on all local Nikon websites in Europe.
Additionally, the SB-800 Speedlight disappeared recently from the Nikon sites in the US and a number of European countries – but not yet in Spain.
Rumors about the discontinuation of the D60 are also strengthening, but Nikon must have a replacement in mind, because they cannot afford to compete in this segment with only the D90 and D5000, leaving them with no offering in the entry-level price bracket.

We're obviously all anxious to finally find out what Nikon's up to, but it has become pretty clear they've learned from the D700 launch disaster, and are keeping the lid on tight. I'll keep you posted.