What's the difference between US Nikon and any other Nikon?

Samsonite

Senior Member
As per title, seen a couple of posts now which seem to imply that there is a difference between the two? What's the difference?


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jwstl

Senior Member
As per title, seen a couple of posts now which seem to imply that there is a difference between the two? What's the difference?


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There's no difference in gear. NikonUSA imports products from Nikon Japan for sale in the U.S. market. These products are identified as being for the U.S. You can sometimes buy Nikon gear intended for other markets for a little less money. Those products are called "grey market". The problem with buying grey market for U.S. citizens is that NikonUSA will not support those products so you don't get their warranty and they won't repair grey market products even if you paid.
 

LouCioccio

Senior Member
B&H and Adorama will sell both and will explain the difference. In the USA Warranty Nikon will repair but the Grey Market they will do the repair so it all depends.

I have bought several DSLR bodies, the 1st one when I was transitioning from film to digital, I opted for an extended warranty. The rest of the bodies I just went with their warranties. Some were new, a few were refurbished by the manufacture, but the vendor had their year warranty with 90 day manufacture.

All the lenses I bought I just opted the manufacture. Some had multiple years, others not. Only one lens I opted the extend warranty because of the high price for replacement, which is can you afford the replacement.

They all have electronics and motors which could fail so it's a personal decision. I will buy a refurb from Cameta because of their warranty and service.

Ciao,
Lou Cioccio
 
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Ruidoso Bill

Senior Member
Nikon uses a designator in the serial number for every major geographic region. Probably to protect retailers or if nothing else to ensure warranty work is evenly distributed, just a guess.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Nikon USA is an independent company that sells Nikon products in the US. It is not, as I'd always incorrectly understood, a division of Nikon Japan. They own the US distribution rights, and this is why there are the restrictions on warranties and the idea of "grey market" products. If the product was not imported and distributed by them, they will not (and rightfully should not have to) provide warranty service on it. Muddies the waters for the buyer, but if it's possible for corporate policy to make sense, then it does.
 

Samsonite

Senior Member
Fair enough. Thanks for all the replies guys. I ordered my camera from the UK, so I assume that it would fall under the Nikon Japan umbrella? Interesting way of segmenting their market, but then again you can appreciate that they
Wouldn't want to service / repair products under warranty if there was no profit made to be begin with....


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Samsonite

Senior Member
Some bits like the plastic lens caps say made in Thailand, as does my 70 - 300 AF-S VR ED IF Lens.... And my 18 - 55 kit lens...


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§am

Senior Member
I believe Nikon lenses (Nikkor) are covered by worldwide warranty regardless of where purchased.
However, bodies are more local, and warranties vary on where you buy it from.

As an example, I bought my D5100 from the US, and it has a five year (extended) warranty in the US (because I registered it in 30 days).
However, I live in the UK, and Nikon Europe (which covers UK), will only 'warranty' it for one year from date of purchase regardless of what the US warranty was/is.
My lenses however were covered under a two year US warranty, and Nikon Europe cover them the same as lenses have a worldwide warranty

Maybe they have this distinction as lenses are more universal - you don't need to package them with say a US charger as opposed to a UK charger or a EU charger etc
 

jwstl

Senior Member
Nikon USA started life many years ago as an independent distributor of Nikon products for the US market. But back in the 70's Nikon Inc. bought the company and renamed it Nikon USA. They are a legally a separate company from Nikon Inc. but are in fact wholly owned by Nikon.
 

johnpeter

New member
Hi there is no difference bitween US nikon and any other nikon. Nikon basically brand of japan and importers buying from japan and selling in USA. this is difference.
 

crashton

Senior Member
The real difference for us US users of Nikon is if we try to have a non-US camera or lens repaired Nikon will refuse to do it. I don't buy grey market Nikon cameras or lenses for that reason. US cameras have 30 as the first two digits of the serial number. Lenses have US at the beginning of the serial number.

APS is a place to have these grey market cameras & lenses repaired.

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§am

Senior Member
Chuck - I have two lenses bought from the states, but neither had a US prefix, and both registered with no issues in the UK (Europe) for warranty purposes.
In fact one of mine is off to Nikon for a warranty repair as we speak
 

crashton

Senior Member
Sam - Looking at 3 of my lenses now. 16-85Dx, 35Dx & 70-300Fx all have US at the beginning of thier serial numbers. Not sure about my other lenses.

The problem is with Nikon USA not honoring warranties or even working on grey market cameras or lenses, even if one is willing to pay. Nikon USA says no way & won't touch them.

I'm glad that you do not face that problem in the UK.
 

§am

Senior Member
Interesting indeed.

Nikon UK state that digital imaging products (DSLR, Coolpix & film scanners) are covered under local warranty (ie the country you bought it from), everything else (lenses and speedlights) is covered by international warranty (as they're not considered digital items).

Nikon USA lenses don't necessarily have to have the US markings on them to make them US stock - there's much discussion over this on various threads on the internet.

I'm happy though with the current situation I'm in, bought cheaper in the USA and Nikon UK are honouring the repair here ;)
 
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