GeneV Loc: Lampasas, Texas

I have been under the impression that the serial number shown on a Nikon camera can determine if the camera is a US model or a import/non-US model

I sent an Email to Nikon with the following information: Nikon, D5300, s/n 4921028 and asked if it is a US model.

Nikon replied: "The only to determine if the D5300 is an import/non-US model is to send it in for inspection and have our technicians evaluate it."

Guess I have been wrong all this time, or am I? Anyone know for sure which is true?

Gene

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

And how much does this inspection cost you?

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

And how much does this inspection cost you?

BebuLamar

I heard this before and I wonder what do they look for if the serial number doesn't tell them.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

you can be sure they ain't gonna tell you. LOL

Iron Sight Loc: Utah

What reason makes it important to identify import model?

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Nikon factory will only work on US models.

NikonRocks Loc: Sydney

I am astounded that Nikon support cannot give you a straightforward answer without having to send the camera in to them. I would imagine if the camera is new then the registration process would either accept or reject the serial number you supply.
I'm in Australia so all I have to do is supply the camera model, serial number and store from which I purchased the camera when I register my Nikon equipment with Nikon Australia.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I am a bit confused why GeneV cares. GeneV, are you a camera xenophobe?

What is the failure rate of Nikons? Is it so high that one should be concerned about factory repairs being needed? If so, then do not buy a Nikon; simple as that.

Historically, if on a trip to Japan, people would take that as an opportunity to buy a Camera at a lower price. I have a Panasonic TZ100 which is the twin of the SZ100. Why did I make the decision to go with the TZ100? Easy, it was the first to drop the price when the TZ/TX-200 was introduced; MONEY.

Are they different, NO... there is an extensive article doing a side-by-side specification comparison, other cameras, US vs Euro, are lightly compared.
https://www.apotelyt.com/compare-camera/panasonic-tz100-vs-panasonic-zs100
Nikon reading:
https://nikonrumors.com/2013/10/18/nikon-d5300-now-listed-on-amazon-uk-germany-and-japan.aspx/

What the heck is an Apotelyt?? The word is a title of a listing of Photo abbreviations.
https://www.apotelyt.com/photo-terms/imaging-glossary

PS: going on 5 years and no problem with my "wet back" camera.

Ctrclckws

Perhaps if you try to register your camera on the Nikonusa website.
If it lets you, then the chances increase that the camera is an official import, as opposed to gray market.

Nikon has used ranges of numbers to indicate the region it was created for.

According to one independent source, D5300s with 4 as the first digit were allocated to Europe. Yours is above the range listed, though. And sometimes, Nikon has had to tweak the allocation because of volume.

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/camera.html

Nikonusa is very unfriendly to consumers, the only way they will confirm that your camera is not Gray market is by sending it in for service. If it is not an official import, they won't do anything more to it.

If it needs service, better to ask one of the former service shops, but Nikonusa has revoked their certification as well, so more unfriendly stances

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

With only a few exceptions, Nikon cameras meant to be sold in the US market have serial numbers that begin with the number “3.” The list mentioned above illustrates this.

Cameras used heavily might not “fail” per se, but it is not uncommon for DSLRs to need to have their shutter replaced (e.g., pro sports photographers), so repairability is important. Z-series models may not have the shutter issue, but there may be others. Also, accidents will hapoen.

USA is important for resale as well. Personally, I would never purchase a non-US model.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"Nikon USA is very unfriendly to consumers."

Yes and No. My son, who works for a large exporting company, has sold Nikon cameras to clients in South America. He has bought the cameras in the gray market. Some of them have required service and believe it or not Nikon has serviced those cameras without charge.
I bought my Nikon F in Spain in 1963 from an authorized European dealer. When I returned to the USA I had a simple issue with it and Nikon refused to service the camera even when I offered them proof of buying from an authorized dealer. Over the years I have had a few issues with them and comes to mind a N-6006 film body. The camera used excessive battery power and instead they insisted the camera had nothing wrong with it. I ended up contacting the main Japanese CEO for the company and taking my complaints to him. I received a N-8008 brand new and free of charge from them after a long battle to have the camera exchanged or repaired. Ever since I have avoided Nikon for repairs, not that I have needed any repairs and now if something happens to a Nikon camera chances are excellent we will have to send the camera or lens to Nikon because it is my understanding there are no more "authorized" service stations for Nikon.

I have used Nikon gear since 1963 and I have invested a lot of money buying Nikon gear but if I was starting in photography I would have surely looked in another direction. I use Olympus often and I have been very happy with their products. I have not used their services because I have no issues with my cameras or lenses. Nikon is a great brand and I have been very satisfied with their cameras and lenses but I agree they are not that friendly with customers.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

While "Apotelyt" is Greek for "absolute". Here is what is in their "about" page:

About this site
APOTELYT.COM is an independent web-resource site that provides information on the features and quality of photographic cameras, lenses and accessories to internet readers free of charge. The website started out in 2011 as an information source on Leica's APO-Telyt range of telephoto lenses, but has over time grown well beyond this initial focus. It now features a variety of articles, reviews and information on new and not-quite-as-new photo gear.

Seems the site originally started about the Leica APO-Telyt lenses (Apotelyt).

traderjohn Loc: New York City

It's not important to understand why; he cares. Only that he does.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Gene, I'm going to guess that the 4xxxxxx serial number is a meant for the European market, excluding the UK.
--Bob