(EXPIRED) Last day for the Nikon Instant Rebates for D700, D300s, D90, D5000, D3000

UPDATE November-29: This instant rebate promotion is now over, expired, done. The previous update is after the jump...

We just posted a new burst-mode of specials at the Camera Deals blog including the D-Rebel T1i at $670, Panasonic GH1 at $1420, and Kodak M1093 + dock for $100. But the purpose of this post is something more time-sensitive. Today is the last day for the Nikon instant rebates at Amazon. They end at the end of day today, so if interested, be sure to look into them.

We summarize below, with prices as usual, as of the time of writing. Please note we don't have magic technology that automatically senses changes and rewrites blog posts! That's something for someone with the IT resources of "The Google" or "The Microsoft" and even they haven't done it yet! One more thing, we did the price-math using our bird-brains, not calculators, so this increases the chances of an error.

For the instant rebates to take effect, all items must be sold and shipped by Amazon.com itself, not any third-party sellers. Also, if you don't see the Instant Rebate discount in your Amazon Checkout page (top right corner), then there is something wrong. Do not proceed since you cannot fix it later. We have an example of how that looks at the bottom.

UPDATE (11pm EST): The $200 instant rebate for the 70-300mm VR lens is DEAD. Amazon has removed itself as the seller for this item, so you can't get it no matter what. The 55-200mm instant-rebates for the D3000 are still good, but only 3 hours left.

UPDATE (3pm EST): The price of the 70-300mm VR lens has jumped from $512 to $552 and the shipping estimate is "December 1st". Please add +$40 to all the items below that include the 70-300mm VR lens! The shipping estimate does not affect the instant rebate, since you lock the price the moment you place an order, and you don't have to mail anything so you don't need the UPC code.

Advanced Nikon DSLRs
+ Nikon D700 body-only (corrected link) + 70-300mm VR = $2400 + $552 - $200 instant rebate = $2752

+ Avoid the D700 + 24-120mm bundle! The 24-120mm lens on its own goes for $529, while the D700 + 24-120mm kit goes for $3000. Thus, $2400 + $529 = $2929 vs $3000

+ Nikon D300s body-only + 70-300mm VR = $1575 + $552 - $200 instant rebate = $1937

+ Again, avoid the D300s + 18-200mm VR II bundle, since it costs more! That kit costs $2428, while the Nikon 18-200mm DX VR II goes for $796. Math majors are badly needed in the retail world! If you buy individually, $1575 + $796 = $2371 vs $2428. Amazon, you sell calculators - use them!

+ Nikon D90 body only + 70-300mm VR = $795 + $552 - $200 instant rebate = $1147

+ Nikon D90 + 18-105mm DX VR + 70-300mm VR = $1032 + $512 - $200 instant rebate = $1344. In this case, LOVE the kit, the 18-105mm lens on its own goes for $360. $795 + $360 = $1155 versus $1032 for the KIT. It's like getting the 18-105mm DX VR for $237 in the bundle.

Affordable Nikon DSLRs
+ D5000 body only + 70-300mm VR = $600 + $552 - $200 instant rebate = $952

+ D5000 w/18-55 DX VR + 70-300mm VR = $652 + $552 - $200 instant rebate = $1004

+ D3000 w/18-55mm DX VR + 55-200mm DX non-VR = $470 + $157 - $100 instant rebate = $527

+ D3000 w/18-55mm DX VR + 55-200mm DX VR = $470 + $216 - $100 instant rebate = $586

Example of how the Amazon Checkout page should look
If you are not familiar with the Amazon instant rebates, below we have a screenshot of how your Amazon Checkout page should look like. If you don't see the discount there, it means there is something wrong, and DO NOT proceed. We are using the D90 body-only + 70-300mm instant rebate as an example.

$795 for the body only + $552 for the 70-300mm VR makes it $1347. The -$200 is the instant rebate discount.