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

Bill, with Nikon once it is imported by parties other than the authorized agents - it can't even be repaired at the country of origin. If you buy a camera that was imported from Ethiopia by a retailer in NY, you have no recourse, because you have gray market goods, and even the international warranty is voided. However, if you were to buy the camera while traveling in Ethiopia, it is considered a legitimate purchase, and the international warranty prevails, meaning that you can get that camera fixed under warranty anywhere in the world that has a Nikon-authorized repair facility. As of July 2013, only Nikon and its authorized agents have access to parts, manuals and any special tools required to repair Nikon camera gear. Worldwide.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

All Nikons, regardless of place of purchase, carry the Nikon one-year Worldwide Warranty. You just need to send it to any Nikon WWW service centerfor warranty work, not to Nikon USA in Melville or El Segundo. Shipping cost is of major concern, as is the possibility that it may not arrive at the repair center, nor ever get back to you inone piece. International insurance needs to be bought and its not cheap. You rarely save enough buying grey market to make it worth the risk.
B&H nor Adorama sell grey market Nikon bodies, but they do both sell their grey market lenses.

Michael66 Loc: Queens, New York

The difference is the warranty. Simple as that. You just don't save enough to make it worth the risk.

I would, on the other hand, like to know what Nikon USA's reaction would be to service a Nikon product that was bought used. The used market, for any product, affects what price the new item can bring. Like cars. A car with a poor resale value will not be able to command a high retail price.

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

Actually, that is not quite correct. Products either have a US warranty, or a WorldWide Warranty. A copy of the yellow warranty card and the purchase receipt is required for repair, and US service locations will honor the WW warranty, and vice versa.

So, as I have already written, if you buy your gear elsewhere from Nikon authorized retailer, you can get it fixed here at ANY Nikon authorized repair facility, including El Segundo or Melville.

As stated on Nikon's own website:

https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9677/~/usa-warranty-honored-in-other-countries%3F

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

Nikon will not repair used gear if it is gray market product - however, that is only the official policy - I have heard of people getting their gray market equipment repaired.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

The first concern you should be aware of if you purchase an imported Nikon D7100 is that you will not have a USA warranty. The second and even more important concern is that Nikon's authorized regional repair centers won't work on an import, even if you are willing to pay for the service. You'll need to find some third party repair shop if you need service. Its a terrible policy. Canon on the other hand will service an imported dSLR, although without a USA warranty they usually (but not always) charge for the service.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

If you buy a new "import" of any camera it will not be supported by a US repair facility for warranty repairs. Nikon won't work on them period - even after the warranty is expired, and you are willing to pay for the repair, they won't work in it. Canon will but they won't do warranty repairs. So your only option is to send it overseas to an authorized warranty repair facility. The grey market products don't offer that much savings for the headache. I'd go with a US camera for the piece of mind. Or, you could look for a good used camera. I've had very good luck with used camera gear. If you go this route, ask a lot of questions to the seller but be subtle. I always talk to the seller and see what they know about the camera, brand, photography etc. If they have no knowledge or seem to not know much, steer clear of them and look for a different seller.

nedell Loc: Holland NY USA

If you have a small budget, do as some have suggested, look for used. You can find some real bargains. Even consider eBay and take your chances.

I have found that there are few bargains on good cameras on ebay.

nedell Loc: Holland NY USA

But some come without batteries and charger, oops there's the up cost.

If they don't come with a battery, charger, manual and strap at the very least you are getting ripped off. Buy some where else.

oberuwe Loc: Willowbrook,IL

Ouch, how about you get one started.....
You right good photographers can shoot with about anything, whats wrong with changing equipment, not my fault if you can't afford it......

oberuwe Loc: Willowbrook,IL

Yes I did not exactly "loved" the D800 but am happy with the D600, and I do own the 6D and 5D3 for a few weeks now, when I compare the pics taken with my D800 with the ones now taken (same object very similar settings) the 5D3 pics look sharper and the color rendering is better than the D800, also I like the ergonomics of Canon more, I like Nikon and have a good number of body's but not "married" to it, like Canon's as well I am sure that will trigger some comments.......

GaryS1964 Loc: Northern California

I agree. I was all set to purchase a Canon 5D3 refurb direct from Canon when I found for a little over $100 more I could get a new one from GreenToe.com which is what I did. The camera came from an authorized dealer and had a Canon USA warranty.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

If you buy directly from say, Canon USA , either new or refurb, you are guaranteed, there is NO monkey business. ;-)
SS

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

That link is true, but has nothing to do with the grey market point made before. Nikon USA Warranty DOES supercede the Worldwide Warranty and USA warranty products will be repaired at any authorized service center worldwide. My prior statement is absolutely true in the Nikons "Worldwide Warranty" which is included with ALL grey market, and foreign sold Nikon cameras, is good world-wide, with the exception of in the USA. Nikon USA does NOT HONOR Nikon Worldwide Warranty work as these cameras were not imported by Nikon USA which is a separate entity from Nikon EU or Nikon Japan. Nikon USA does not receive any profit from the sales of non-USA warranted cameras, so therefore they will not perform service work on them. They have also taken the strict position of not even performing paid service work on these cameras so as not to inadvertently support these importers who buy overseas in pallet lots only to undersell Nikon USA, who has to perform warranty services on the bodies they import. Its simple economics. But Nikon DOES warranty grey market purchased cameras through its worldwide authorized service network, a list of which is included with all worldwide warranty papers included with those cameras, these warranty slips are either white or green depending on the model, all cameras with Nikon USA valid warranties are printed on yellow highlighted warranty slips and clearly state "Nikon USA Warranty" on them.
In addition, most regions of the world also have similar issues and fight with "Grey Market" products. Yes, even Africa, see here:
http://www.nikon.co.za/en_ZA/service/warranty_policy.page?
And Europe as here:
http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/service_support/Support_2_Warranty.page?lang=
Many grey market camera bought from unscrupulous sellers, such as most Ebay and Amazon sellers, actually remove the Nikon Worldwide Warranty papers from the cameras they sell just to keep the buyer from ever finding out what country they actually came from. These sellers make a quick profit and claim to offer "In Store" warranties that are usually worded like "One year parts and 90 days labor". This has absolutely nothing to do with Nikons warranty structure and guarantees the buyer absolutely nothing as far as getting any issues resolved should they have one.

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

You are confused - Point by point.

1. Grey market is defined by Nikon as goods imported into a country by an agent other than Nikon. Otherwise referred to as parallel import. The two links you posted are very clear - a quote from the South Africa link - "Grey Market refers to merchandise that is imported and sold by methods other than these normal channels."

2. Nikon will not repair ANY gray market equipment, whether you bought it here or anywhere in the world. Worldwide Warranty does not cover gray market - ever.

3. Nikon USA honors World Wide warranty provided you have evidence of a face to face transaction and the warranty, regardless of where you purchased it, as long as you purchased it through the authorized dealer channel.

4. Nikon USA will not honor equipment that was imported by a party other than Nikon. Purchasing a camera or lens for personal use while traveling in another country is NOT gray market/parallel importing. You have the original purchase receipt that proves that, along with the warranty card.

The link I provided clearly states - "If you purchase equipment in another country where the Nikon Worldwide Warranty applies, copies of the sales receipt and this warranty are necessary to obtain warranty service in the USA." Evidently you missed that part. Clearly, with proper documentation, Nikon USA does honor Worldwide Warranty.

I hope this clarifies things for you - it has been very clear to me since 1966, when I purchased my first Nikon F.