BigDJim Loc: Dallas TX

Bill....just did as you suggested, went to schedule a repair and entered "Clean Sensor" and they came back to me with a quote for $50....so I guess my camera with serial number in the 600,000's passed muster as a legit USA model.

Thanks to you.....and to everyone who replied. Input much appreciated. As always, "The Hogs" have the answer(s).

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

For what it's worth, reportedly Nikon USA has changed their policy and now will repair gray market cameras, though it will be at the owner's expense (i.e., no warranty coverage). That might be a moot point, purchasing a used camera from a private party.

EDIT: They probably charge the same $60 for a sensor cleaning on any out of warranty camera, gray market or not. If you are serious about getting that job done, you could probably find a local independent repairer who can do the service for less, as well as avoid the hassle and cost of shipping. No parts required for a simple sensor cleaning.

AFAIK, Nikon USA has not changed their spare parts policy, which is that they will only distribute replacement parts to their own repair facilities and a short list of "authorized" repairers (approx. 20... a complete list can be found on the Nikon USA website). This limits your selection of repairers a bit and they claim it's being done to assure the quality of repairs (.... and not because they can control the cost of repair services by limiting parts availability to the shops they control ). This policy has been in effect for some years now and has created sort of a black market of used "donor" cameras and cloned repair parts, among the independent repair shops (which probably number some hundreds). In contrast, so long as they have the necessary items in stock, Canon will sell replacement parts to anyone with a credit card and a mailing address.

Yorkster Loc: North Yorkshire UK

I'd like to add my experiences here in the UK.

I bought a grey market D7100 about 2 years ago from HDew Cameras - a physical store selling grey imports. They included a 3 year warranty which I decided to be open-minded about. July this year the autofocus system started malfunctioning: contacted them and they sanctioned sending it to their preferred dealer, a well respected and authorised Nikon and Canon dealer in Scotland, for a free assessment. Long story short - the camera was stripped down and all defective parts either replaced or re-calibrated. It was serviced and given a sensor clean as well. Cost to me - Zero except for the initial postage of around £5.00 ($8.00).

A good dealer is a good dealer and I'd have no hesitation either recommending or purchasing from them again.

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

Here in Australia, there is no "grey market" as such where Nikon is concerned, here they are called "unauthorised dealers"...if we buy from "Nikon authorised dealers" cameras are covered under the Nikon warranty...e,g; if I buy a Nikon camera in Hong Kong from an authorised dealer it's covered...
Are you saying that if you buy a Nikon camera outside the US from an authorised dealer it's not covered in the US...?? Pretty poor state of affairs if this is the case...