Trying to recover from the news about Ilford, I asked the guy at my local pro shop what was the story about the Nikon 17-55 f2.8 which seems to have disappeared from the shops after getting brilliant reviews in June.

He said that Nikon received a batch of flourine from their supplier (the only one in the world). It was refused by their quality control and now they're waiting for a new batch. Everything's ready they just can't coat the lenses without the flourine.

Charles