Serial number verification

2MuchTurbo

Senior Member
So...I'm itching to buy a D7100, and have been doing research for a few months now (while rolling pennies to save up lol).

I'm considering buying one from a guy on kijiji....

Is there a way to verify the serial number on the camera to ensure it's not a knock-off, refurb, but a legit D7100?
 

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
Re: Purchase Verification

Not really - the only way to know is to buy it new from an authorized dealer. I've never heard of a knock-off Nikon though.

I have one for sale, but I see you're in Canada and mine is a US serial number :)
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Re: Purchase Verification

You should, however, be sure the serial number is one intended for Canada. I've heard that if you buy a gray market body, Nikon will refuse to fix it... even if you offer to pay for the repairs.
 

Mfrankfort

Senior Member
Re: Purchase Verification

I'd stick with the authorized dealers for bigger stuff like bodies and lenses. I get all my cheaper stuff from online sites. Better safe than sorry, but it's your choice.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Re: Purchase Verification

Nikon has long used the first digit of the serial number to indicate region for many of their products:
  1. Not used
  2. Japan
  3. USA
  4. Europe (excluding UK)
  5. Canada
  6. Australia/New Zealand
  7. Asia (excluding Japan)
  8. United Kingdom
  9. Not used
 

Bob Blaylock

Senior Member
Re: Purchase Verification

Nikon has long used the first digit of the serial number to indicate region for many of their products:
  1. Not used
  2. Japan
  3. USA
  4. Europe (excluding UK)
  5. Canada
  6. Australia/New Zealand
  7. Asia (excluding Japan)
  8. United Kingdom
  9. Not used

Where is Not Used?

The number hasn't been used yet. Kept in reserve for future use. Nothing to do with the condition of a camera.

My D3200 body has a serial number starting with “3”, which is consistent with the above table. But the 18-55mm kit lens that came with it has a serial number starting with “1”, and my WU-1a has a serial number starting with “2”. Could it be that the above pattern only applies to camera bodies, and not to other accessories?

My F2 has a serial number starting with “7”, my 50mm ƒ1.4 lens for it has a serial number starting with “1”, and my 28mm ƒ3.5 lens has a serial number starting with “2” — but these are all very old, early 1970s-vintage stuff that might predate Nikon's use of the pattern described above, if the above described pattern is true.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
The above described pattern is for camera bodies only. It has nothing to do with lenses, as they have their own unique system. All my cameras start with the number 5. Do a Google on Nikon camera serial numbering system...see what you come up with. :)
 

wev

Senior Member
Contributor
My 5200 # starts with 2 -- I'm in California, which isn't part of Japan that I am aware of. I purchased it at Best Buy and its in being serviced by Nikon as I type.
 

steve3007

New member
Antarctica, They sell three a year.. uses anti freeze lube and warming body gel! haha Oops, they also have big shutter button for glove use!
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
My nikon D810 serial number is 904xxxx. So number 9 is used

Welcome aboard rol, enjoy the ride. We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

You might also want to consider introducing yourself on New Member Introductions.

Also the thread you are responding to is several years old!
 
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