Piraterich

Fellow Hoggers
How does one find out if a used Nikon z mount lens is a US model? Thanks in advance for your guidance
Rich

User ID

Ask for the serial number. You want photos of the s/n on a lens and USA warranty card showing the same s/n.

There are charts online for old lenses whose cards are long gone.

Dont buy if a seller doesnt provide it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

We've had lots of questions like this here, and the answers vary. People have said that Nikon couldn't tell them if a product was USA or International. Years ago, I bought a D90, but when I tried to register it with Nikon, I found that it was not a USA model, so I returned it.

Good luck.

From Ken Ro9ckwell: Many AF Nikon lenses have the letters "US" before the serial number to denote USA, and the D1 cameras have little "Nikon USA" stickers inside the battery boxes. You'd have to use the serial numbers to figure this out for used manual focus lenses. Nikon is inconsistent: all because you have no sticker or "US" on the serial number does not mean it's gray.

https://kenrockwell.com/tech/gray-market.htm#:~:text=Many%20AF%20Nikon%20lenses%20have,for%20used%20manual%20focus%20lenses.

stan0301 Loc: Colorado

Nikon can tell plenty quick when you want to get a product serviced - today, the number one supplier of Nikon is eBay - and there is no way to tell when buying - but the abundant used market adds greatly to Nikon's value - but worst of all is Tampon - total idiots who can't seem to see that their ideas greatly reduce the value of their product - you would be foolish indeed to buy a used Tampon anything.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

With all due respect, did you REALLY mean to say Tampon or did you mean to say, Tamron, as in camera lenses? Seems like a HUGE difference.

Dennis

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If buying new, watch out for ads that have the phrase "store warranty" or "international warranty". Those are most likely gray market.

If buying used, it can be hard to tell, but may not matter. Nikon factory warranty doesn't transfer. Some stores offer limited warranties of their own. Private party sales are between you and the seller... usually no warranty.

Refurbished items bought from Nikon USA will be covered by a warranty, last time I checked 90 days. Refurbished items bought anywhere else may be another matter... once again, watch out for "store warranty". I don't know if any Nikon USA refurbs are still being offered through their dealers. If not, "refurb" might just mean "used, but cleaned up and checked by some guy in the back of the shop". (Canon USA refurbs are only avail. direct from their website.)

It used to be a bigger problem when Nikon USA would refuse to work on gray market items, especially since they will not supply most replacement parts to anyone other than they're own two repair facilities. However, Nikon USA has changed their policy and now will repair gray market items, although it will be at the customer's expense. It's really no different than having something repaired after the warranty has expired.

I don't know why Stan0301 has a problem with Tamron... last time I looked they had one of the longest warranties in the business: 6 years.

Piraterich

Thanks to all who responded I appreciate your help and advice

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

According to Nikon they will not repair gray market equipment.
Read their policy.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

"...you would be foolish indeed to buy a used Tampon..."

You're right about that, although I bet there is a niche market.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

They keep adding products to their exceptions list.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Ok,
Just before posting I looked and that is what was on the official site.