By 8am Friday, an estimated 350 people were already lined up to buy iPhone 3Gs at the downtown San Francisco Apple Store.

iPhone fans camped out for as long as 3 days with tents, chairs, and pillows. Joe Brown opted for a portable hammock.

Halfway down the line, a determined napper gets in a few last-minute Zs on the sidewalk.

By the time the Apple Store opened it's front doors, the line wrapped around 3 city blocks.

Apple employees provided free coffee for the sleepy early risers.

Dale Larson had been camped out in front of the Apple Store since Wednesday. A few minutes before the doors opened, he waved to his fellow die-hards.

At exactly 8:00am, the Apple staff dropped the black curtain in the front window, revealing a line of clapping employees.

The first 20 customers rushed into the store to begin the arduous and lengthy purchasing process.

The first iPhone 3G purchases of the day took over half an hour to complete, dampening even the most enthusiastic customers' moods.

Tent in one hand, iPhone in the other, a happy customer finally leaves the store.

has murdered the experience of buying an iPhone," he said.

After half an hour of working out the details, an Apple employee swipes a customer's credit card to complete his purchase.

An iPhone application developer and overnight camper smells his shiny new iPhone 3G.

Upstairs at the Apple Store, a woman takes a nap in the theater area while waiting for a friend.

In the BART station below the Apple store, two musicians play in front of an iPod ad, oblivious to the commotion above.