D500 USA or Grey Market?
Oct 19, 2019 22:57:56 #
DaveyDitzer
Loc: Western PA
I tried to ask Nikon USA about a serial number to see if it was USA sourced and they told me I'd have to send it in to them. Stupid response since I had not yet purchased the camera.
Oct 20, 2019 07:50:25 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
DaveyDitzer wrote:
I tried to ask Nikon USA about a serial number to see if it was USA sourced and they told me I'd have to send it in to them. Stupid response since I had not yet purchased the camera.
Not a STUPID response. It was a standard response to all such questions from Nikon, if you read many posts here, you would have know that. They are the official importer of Nikon to the United States. They charge a premium on top of the price of the camera, the buyer gets a one year warranty and a guarantee that they will fix the camera after the warranty period is over if parts are available. The US warranty does not extend to the second buyer, and if the Nikon is not a US Nikon they will not service it since they made no money on the initial or second sell.
If you buy the camera from a Nikon Authorized Dealer you can always ask the dealer if it is a gray market.
Folks who buy used and buying from a non authorized person their is no guarantee that the product is an official US version.
Generally speaking, if the serial number starts with a 3, it is US Nikon. I posted earlier to have the seller supply a image of the serial number. That is your only clue as to the origin of the camera.
Good luck to you. I have bought used and found that, if the serial number on a camera body only starts with a 3, it is a US Nikon, however, this is not a fast rule.
Oct 20, 2019 08:06:08 #
Ava'sPapa wrote:
I'm going to look at a used D500 with 21000 actuations for $800. Great price. I asked if it's grey market or USA. The seller states that it's USA. How would I know??
According to the statistical reliability curve (Weibull) at 21000 clicks the chance of failure is low. If the buyer can show its US buy it; if not negotiate the price down if you can but buy it.
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Oct 20, 2019 08:20:33 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
dean100 wrote:
The D500 shutter is rated for 200,000 actuations so it's more like one tenth but it not something I ever worry about. If the S/N starts with a 3 it's a US model, mine is 3000224.
I was just taking a guess on the shutter clicks lifespan. Most entry-level to intermediate DSLRs usually are rated 100,000-150,000 clicks. There are exceptions, such as the D500, and other pro full frame cameras. Thanks also for the info on the serial number of your USA D500.
Oct 20, 2019 15:39:54 #
DaveyDitzer
Loc: Western PA
Billnikon:
I probably left our some important information in my post. I gave Nikon the full S/N and the person told me I'd still have to send it in to verify that it was a USA product. Since I explained it wasn't mine yet, I thought his response was stupid. If not stupid, then completely illogical and thoughtless.
I probably left our some important information in my post. I gave Nikon the full S/N and the person told me I'd still have to send it in to verify that it was a USA product. Since I explained it wasn't mine yet, I thought his response was stupid. If not stupid, then completely illogical and thoughtless.
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