Servicing non-USA Nikon DSLR's: I have an opportunity to purchase a mint D700 with less than 3500 actuations here locally. The price is just under $1000. But the body was purchased in...

dabramm Loc: Deer Park, TX

I have an opportunity to purchase a mint D700 with less than 3500 actuations here locally. The price is just under $1000. But the body was purchased in England by the original owner. Does anyone have personal experience with having a non-USA DSLR serviced? I have a D7000 that has been to Nikon Repair five times in less than three years for three different issues including locking up, back-focusing and oil splatters on the sensor. I do not want to chance buying a product that I cannot get serviced by someone reputable. Any references by experience?

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Check with Camtronics here in Columbus. They're Nikon authorized service. I don't know if he'll work on what is essentially a gray market body or not. http://www.camtronicscamerarepair.com/contact-us/

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

dabramm wrote:

I have an opportunity to purchase a mint D700 with... (show quote)

Give Rick Riggins a shout. He's a fellow hogger with a good reputation for quality repair service. His username is rjriggins11. Here is a link to his website.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

IMHO it is time for a trade-in.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

dabramm wrote:

I have an opportunity to purchase a mint D700 with... (show quote)

You've had your D7000 services 5 times in 3 years? I sure hope that's not typical for Nikon dSLRs.

dabramm Loc: Deer Park, TX

Nikon Repair finally got the D7000 repaired... it took FOUR tries to get the back-focusing within the -20 to 20 range on the AF Fine-Tune adjustment. As recommended here, I purchased the Reikan Focal program to check the body with many Nikkor lenses. On trip #5, it was also splattering oil on the sensor. I can tell you though... Nikon Repair came through for me because I was so very persistent! The D7000 is like new now and I can in good conscience sell it.

dabramm Loc: Deer Park, TX

warrior wrote:

IMHO it is time for a trade-in.

I agree. The D7000 is finally repaired correctly. Nikon Repair had it FOUR times for back-focusing and this last time for oil splattered on the sensor too. Now it is like new and I can sell it with a clear conscience. But what do I buy next? I have a D300 with 100k actuations. Where is the D400? I have a D4 which I LOVE but do not take it out of the country on mission trips with church. The D700 is at a great price and very familiar controls. I can afford to drop it. The D610 is full frame which is tempting with my next mission trip near Machu Pichu, but is more than I wish to spend. The D7100 is like the D7000 and not a good substitute for the D300 with its tiny buffer. With so many issues with my D7000, I just need some ideas if the non-USA D700 is serviceable here...

dabramm Loc: Deer Park, TX

nicksr1125 wrote:

Check with Camtronics here in Columbus. They're Nikon authorized service. I don't know if he'll work on what is essentially a gray market body or not. http://www.camtronicscamerarepair.com/contact-us/

Thank you... sent them an email.

dabramm Loc: Deer Park, TX

Erik_H wrote:

Give Rick Riggins a shout. He's a fellow hogger with a good reputation for quality repair service. His username is rjriggins11. Here is a link to his website.

Thank you... sent Rick an email too.

dabramm Loc: Deer Park, TX

mwsilvers wrote:

You've had your D7000 services 5 times in 3 years? I sure hope that's not typical for Nikon dSLRs.

I have an S2, F, F2, F3, F4, F5, D200, D300 and D4 that have never been serviced. My D7000 was a lemon. At about 1400 actuations, it would lock up and not function. Take the battery out then reinsert and it would work again for about 50-60 photos BUT I would lose the 4-5 photos in the tiny buffer. Nikon fixed that on first try. It was the next FOUR tries for back-focusing that almost made me throw it in the trash.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

dabramm wrote:

I have an opportunity to purchase a mint D700 with... (show quote)

Make sure the original owner provides a copy of his purchase receipt - then you will have no issues getting it repaired anywhere in the world, including the US. It is not grey market unless you buy it from a third party that circumvents the in country authorized importer and imports their own goods. The receipt proves it was a legitimate, over the counter or online local purchase.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Erik_H wrote:

Give Rick Riggins a shout. He's a fellow hogger with a good reputation for quality repair service. His username is rjriggins11. Here is a link to his website.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

dabramm Loc: Deer Park, TX

Gene51 wrote:

Make sure the original owner provides a copy of his purchase receipt - then you will have no issues getting it repaired anywhere in the world, including the US. It is not grey market unless you buy it from a third party that circumvents the in country authorized importer and imports their own goods. The receipt proves it was a legitimate, over the counter or online local purchase.

GREAT information... makes sense! Thank you.

dabramm Loc: Deer Park, TX

dabramm wrote:

Thank you... sent them an email.

Collin Schoen responded that they DO work on DSLR's like this. Thank you for the lead!

dabramm Loc: Deer Park, TX

Erik_H wrote:

Give Rick Riggins a shout. He's a fellow hogger with a good reputation for quality repair service. His username is rjriggins11. Here is a link to his website.

Rick responded today that he works on these purchased outside the USA. Thanks for the lead!