Judging from dealer comments to me, NikonUSA has continued to supply a steady stream of Z9 cameras into the US, however in the last month the quantity of that stream has gone down. There are multiple possibilities about why that might be. First, it might just be that parts supply constraints are keeping Nikon from building more. However, it's also possible that Nikon is sandbagging their end-of-year results. Their end of fiscal year is March 31st, and if they've already met their estimated results, it's possible they're holding some inventory to kick the start of the new fiscal year off. I've seen them do that before.
However, I can't tell which of the two is true this time around, and we won't know for sure for another 30-45 days and can monitor their new first quarter shipments. That said, I'll modify my previous statement a bit: we're still about three months from the point where I'd expect demand and supply start to equalize (assuming no new problems arise).
Meanwhile, the Z6 II and Z7 II bodies seem to be in short supply, too, though you may find them with a lens bundle in stock. I suspect that it's the dual EXPEED6 bit that is causing shortages, as making one body gobbles up a second chip that could be used in at least five other bodies.
In terms of lenses, it's really only the more recent lenses that seem to be in short supply, starting with the 105mm f/2.8 and extending out through the 100-400mm and 24-120mm. The recent sale on the two small primes also seems to have made the 40mm f/2 harder to find.
Nikon isn't the only one with a lower shipment rate to dealers at the moment, so the problem of lower unit deliveries isn't restricted to the Z9 and a couple of Nikkors. Dealers would be having a great year except for the fact that they have more orders than they can supply, and that's across all brands at the moment.
Many of you asked when my review of the 100-400mm f/4-5.6 VR S will appear. Well, now that my Complete Guide to the Nikon Z9 is out in its first edition, I can turn my attention to that lens. However, it's probably not going to be until May sometime that I post my review. I need to be out in the field for awhile using the lens to get a full handle on its capabilities. The initial studio testing shows it is a very good lens, but I don't know just how good in practice yet. That kind of assessment takes time in the field to get right. One thing I'm looking more closely at is a difference between closer distance and longer distance results, as I can clearly see some just in my initial tests (distance is better than close).
Other reviews are in progress, as well, but again, it will likely be May before I post any. I've got three projects cluttering my April schedule at the moment, so you might not hear much from me for the next month.
Finally, did Nikon meet their stated goal of launching the full set of (previous) Road Map lenses by "end of year" (that would be their fiscal year, not calendar year)?
The answer is "almost." My tally has them down at least one lens from expectations, though I suspect they consider the Development Announcement (and imminent shipment) of the 800mm f/6.3 PF VR had them meeting their goal. It does appear that, despite all the supply chain issues, the Nikkors are staying fairly close to Nikon's intended aggressive schedule. I'd guess that the 85mm f/1.2, 200-600mm, and 600mm f/4 aren't too far off announcement and delivery. The first two should appear in the next fiscal quarter (April-June). I expect at least another surprise lens before end of summer, too.
