Does anyone know how to tell whether or not a Nikon camera is a USA model or gray market based on the serial number. Is there a website that shows the serial number range for various Nikon USA models.
Thanks Al
Thanks Al
USA or Gray Market?
- Thread starter Al Wyman
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I don’t think that information is available. From what I have seen you need proof such as an original sales receipt or the us warranty card. Even b h photo says they can’t verify origin on their used equipment.
I don’t know this for a fact but I suspect Amazon sells refurbished lenses that are actually gray market. They currently have 400mm tc vr lenses for about $2500 below new price. I have thought about getting one but is it a safe choice?
I don’t know this for a fact but I suspect Amazon sells refurbished lenses that are actually gray market. They currently have 400mm tc vr lenses for about $2500 below new price. I have thought about getting one but is it a safe choice?
MikeJ
Well-known member
I think I've heard the same as Wotan mentioned, that even B&H can't verify the origin on their used equipment. However, this seems to be the closest I've ever found:
www.dslrbodies.com
This would make sense - all my current bodies start with a 3, and I'm in USA.
Nikon Camera Serial Numbers | DSLRBodies | Thom Hogan
Nikon DSLR camera serial number meaning
This would make sense - all my current bodies start with a 3, and I'm in USA.
TurtleCat
Well-known member
I think for DSLRs and some lenses the serial number was a good indicator. But I read that they changed that at some point when the Z series started. In any case, third party insurance may be your friend with big discounts.
Here's another thread in the same vein. https://bcgforums.com/threads/nikon-serial-number-research.4287/
nmerc_photos
Well-known member
AFAIK there isn't a way to tell the difference with serial numbers (any more). The best way (if you care) is to ensure that you buy products that have the Nikon USA warranty card. Even though the warranty is voided as soon as the piece of gear changes hands - it ensures it's a USA model.
FWIW, gray market is no different in any regard from "normal" gear when buying used. As already mentioned, most of the big reselling sites include gray market without distinction - and I would guess a significant portion of most people's used gear is gray market whether they know it or not.
Gray market is a fantastic way to get much cheaper gear.
I wouldn't go with Amazon... because it's Amazon and I think their QC is crap lately.
but I buy plenty from MAPCamera on eBay. can easily find 400/600TC for under $12K all day long. and given that pricing is similar to Nikon's own refurbs, there's really no reason to be hesitant. It's not "too good to be true".
FWIW, gray market is no different in any regard from "normal" gear when buying used. As already mentioned, most of the big reselling sites include gray market without distinction - and I would guess a significant portion of most people's used gear is gray market whether they know it or not.
Gray market is a fantastic way to get much cheaper gear.
I wouldn't go with Amazon... because it's Amazon and I think their QC is crap lately.
but I buy plenty from MAPCamera on eBay. can easily find 400/600TC for under $12K all day long. and given that pricing is similar to Nikon's own refurbs, there's really no reason to be hesitant. It's not "too good to be true".
Calson
Well-known member
With Nikon having reduced the warranty period from 5 years to only 1 year in the USA the benefit has shifted in favor of grey market lenses that are sold at a discount. There are resellers that advertise as used cameras what are actually grey market cameras but this have a shutter count of zero.
nmerc_photos
Well-known member
yes Nikon will repair it. just had my Z9 + 400TC repaired in January 2024.
there is a common misconception about gray market that Nikon won't repair it. the truth is they won't do WARRANTY repair. which is irrelevant, because as soon as used gear trades hands - any/all warranty is voided anyways.
SCoombs
Well-known member
I'd like to see a lot more evidence that they'll repair it. I've seen far more than just a "conception" that they won't repair gray market stuff. Heck, I feel like I've seen stuff from Nikon themselves saying this.
EricKlees
Well-known member
With Nikon, you almost have to look at grey market as throw aways for another medium to major repairs. So for me, i need to get a grey market in used condition at 1/4 the price of new. This way 2 is the price of buying one and a repair basically.
This is because 2-3 years ago Nikon pulled all the Nikon authorized repair center designations from everyone. This means no one can repair a Nikon lens or camera with new parts.
Nikon also won't touch a grey market camera or lens bought in the US under any circumstance no matter how much you're willing to pay then to do the repair
This is because 2-3 years ago Nikon pulled all the Nikon authorized repair center designations from everyone. This means no one can repair a Nikon lens or camera with new parts.
Nikon also won't touch a grey market camera or lens bought in the US under any circumstance no matter how much you're willing to pay then to do the repair
nmerc_photos
Well-known member
I've got the purchase receipts with serial numbers from eBay, the pictures of the damage, and the receipt from repair from Nikon. not much more evidence could exist.
You'll also find that Nikon NEVER says anything about refusing to repair gray market. Their own website gives you a definition of gray market, and doesn't say anything about refusal to repair.
I suspect that perhaps in the past they might have refused to repair, but that certainly isn't the case today.
You'll also find there's absolutely no proof of anyone being denied repair due to gray market. The rumors circulate - and every time I ask for proof and nobody can provide it. It would seem like a huge liability issue if Nikon told you what gray market was, didn't mention not repairing it, and then turned down a customer, no? All they would have to do is add one sentence "Nikon will not repair" and it'd be squashed. but they haven't - because it isn't true.
EricKlees
Well-known member
Telling you 100% they will not touch it if it's grey market. They will open it up and see it's not a USA market item and close it up and ship it back to you.
Now if you're traveling and say you are in Japan or somewhere in Europe and you buy a legitimate item from that country and you have a receipt with that country that the item is for Nikon Will repair that but if you are in the USA and you buy a gray market item that was for Japan or the UK with a USA receipt as in a USA retailer you will never get it repaired by Nikon
nmerc_photos
Well-known member
Same as the last time you posted this on FB, I asked for proof which you never provided.
You have no proof of your argument, I have proof of mine. Seems like a done deal, no?
How do you explain that I bought my gear from Japan, I have an email from the vendor saying it's gray market, and then I have the entire path through Nikon repair without issues? You think that myself and everyone else with this experience is just a fluke? But everyone who suggests refusal to repair without proof, is somehow right?
EricKlees
Well-known member
Call Nikon Melville or LA and they will tell you that. They do not repair gray market items whether that's the case in other countries as in if you buy a gray market item in the UK and Nikon UK maybe they will repair it could be the same way with Canada I have no idea what those but I know multiple people that have had this happen to them and you can call Nikon and ask them yourself
I’ve participated in (or spectated) so many of these debates about grey market over the years. If I contribute (like now?) I like to refer to what is known in the US as a warranty of fitness, that absent any express exclusions (e.g. ‘as-is’) a seller and/or manufacturer are required to make their consumer whole when a product fails, at least if the problem arises from some defect or other failure to deliver a product as described with respect to its merchantability etc. It’s all common (contract) law (and sense), though one may have to press to be satisfied… Note that this warranty is separate from any written warranty, though it’s not (necessarily) constrained by such (e.g. limited term warranties).
Yeah, you’re right… I’m not a lawyer, but I try to be an informed consumer.
Yeah, you’re right… I’m not a lawyer, but I try to be an informed consumer.
You just had to go and ask!
gray-market
Shop the latest mirrorless & DSLR cameras and NIKKOR lenses from the official Nikon eCommerce site. Explore our innovations and photo equipment!
www.nikonusa.com
SCoombs
Well-known member
I don't doubt that what you say is true, but I also don't doubt that what this actually means is much more limited than what is being implied here. Clearly there are limits, in other words. A manufacturer has no obligation to repair a product years after it was first sold, and neither does a seller have to cover an item perpetually.
What this means for the immediate debate is that if Nikon sells a lens and then you later buy it used from a third party, Nikon has no obligation to repair it. It also means that if you buy a lens used from a seller they have no obligation to make restitution if something goes wrong with it 6 months later.
SCoombs
Well-known member
You're saying you received your repair and I don't have any reason to doubt you, but there are literally hundreds of reports just like this one - simply the first result of many that turned up from a search - and I have no reason to doubt them, either. In fact, I have the volume of their reports up against yours, with you being the only person I've ever heard say that Nikon was willing to repair a gray market item. I've seen plenty of reports from trusted longtime members of various forums talking about what they've been told by Nikon regarding a refusal to repair gray market items. Why did they repair yours? Who knows. It could be anything from them not noticing to the possibility that perhaps they will repair gray market sometimes but will refuse to other times and you got lucky.
SCoombs
Well-known member
Now I am wondering if something has changed. The Nikon USA website currently says this: "Nikon Inc. USA won’t provide warranty service on Gray Market products."
However, I have found references quoting the same page as having formerly said "Nikon Inc. USA and Nikon Authorized Dealers won’t provide technical support, repair or warranty service on Gray Market products."
However, I have found references quoting the same page as having formerly said "Nikon Inc. USA and Nikon Authorized Dealers won’t provide technical support, repair or warranty service on Gray Market products."
Just curious, what is the proof that yours was gray market? An ebay purchase could originally have been from a legit source, no?
EricKlees
Well-known member
Curious if the tech that opened the camera/lens didn't perform the requisite check before doing the service if he indeed had a grey market item repaired.
If you can Nikon and give them the serial number of a lens or camera, they will tell you they can not confirm if it's a grey market or USA model. They will tell you they will need to see it before letting you know. They need to open the unit and whatever is inside be it a code or serial or to see certain parts they use for certain countries, i don't know,
I can tell you i know of 2 people, personally, that in the last 8-14 months had their grey market item returned to then with no option for Nikon to repeat it. One was in "warranty", they other was out of "warranty" so
so if was after that time period maybe Nikon did make a change but without calling then and verifying repairability, proceed with caution
nmerc_photos
Well-known member
I haven't seen any proof to the contrary, saying that Nikon wouldn't preform work on gray market. Not a single instance of proof, now or ever. Just hearsay on forums over the years.
My point exactly. I don't doubt that sometime in the past the latter (refusal to repair) was true - but it certainly isn't the case today.
I buy from MAPcamera, one of the biggest photo stores in Japan. Gray market doesn't mean "illegitimate source". It simply means "Nikon products that are imported and sold by anyone other than Nikon Inc. USA". You can find that definition on their website.
gray-market
Shop the latest mirrorless & DSLR cameras and NIKKOR lenses from the official Nikon eCommerce site. Explore our innovations and photo equipment!
www.nikonusa.com
So by definition, I (in the US) purchased a body/lens from MAPCamera (in Japan), thus making it gray market. MAPcamera will tell you themselves that it is gray market, but also that Nikon will freely repair the items.
Curious if the tech that opened the camera/lens didn't perform the requisite check before doing the service if he indeed had a grey market item repaired.
If you can Nikon and give them the serial number of a lens or camera, they will tell you they can not confirm if it's a grey market or USA model. They will tell you they will need to see it before letting you know. They need to open the unit and whatever is inside be it a code or serial or to see certain parts they use for certain countries, i don't know,
I can tell you i know of 2 people, personally, that in the last 8-14 months had their grey market item returned to then with no option for Nikon to repeat it. One was in "warranty", they other was out of "warranty" so
I'm much less inclined to believe that I'm the luckiest person in the world, and much more inclined to believe that people spread rumors out of fear or jealousy for others getting better deals than they do.
If you know of 2 people personally - please post ANY form of proof. An email. A voice recording. A handwritten letter. Anything from Nikon stating they wouldn't repair it.
You'd think that proof would be SO EASY to find if it were true. And yet we've not seen any proof posted.
Nikon is billion dollar company. I'm sure they're not stupid. Do you think it's more likely that they accidentally left out any wording about refusal to repair? Or do you think it's more likely that it's internet boogyman stories being spread?
I'm leaning towards the most likely option being that sometime in the past (5, 10, 20 years ago?) Nikon for some reason wouldn't repair gray market. But as the industry and company grew and they realized all the missed profits - they went back on that stance. That switch happening at an unknown time, and ancient photographers posting about experiences that are decades old - seems like the perfect storm for what we see today. Lots of stories with no proof, all talking about "back in the day".
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