Nikon, Made in Japan or Made in China: Is anybody other than myself bothered by this...I recently purchased a Nikor 105 Micro, and it is stamped "Made in China"...I understand why...

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Is anybody other than myself bothered by this...I recently purchased a Nikor 105 Micro, and it is stamped "Made in China"...I understand why, what I'm having a problem with is this going to degrade the resale value of Nikon products.
Am I over thinking this?

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

OnDSnap wrote:

Is anybody other than myself bothered by this...I recently purchased a Nikor 105 Micro, and it is stamped "Made in China"...I understand why, what I'm having a problem with is this going to degrade the resale value of Nikon products.
Am I over thinking this?

Nikon would not risk their reputation by applying different design or quality control standards to China, Thailand or any othe country where their products are made.

The main reason for Nikon to produce equipment outside of Japan is economic. Another reason would be to lessen the exposure to a natural disaster, but that did not work out too well recently.

It is very likely that if you are driving a Japanese car, it was actually made in the North America , as are many premium European brands.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Who cares where it's made, it's Nikon

and Yes

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

"Nikon operates factories all across the globe and each operates to the same high standard. While individual cameras are marked with their country of manufacture we can't make a blanket statement about which camera is produced where."
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/15867/~/where-can-i-buy-a-nikon-camera-made-in-japan%3F-where-are-nikon-camera's-made%3F

"Nikon has shifted much of its manufacturing facilities to Thailand, with some production (especially of Coolpix cameras and some low-end lenses) in China and Indonesia."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon

Nikon Mirrorless Cameras Are Made in China
http://micgadget.com/17011/nikon-mirrorless-cameras-are-made-in-china/

QUALITY MADE IN CHINA?
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/china.htm

Inside the Nikon 1 factory in China
http://www.cnet.com.au/inside-the-nikon-1-factory-in-china-339324767.htm

What goes on inside Nikon's Sendai factory
http://asia.cnet.com/what-goes-on-inside-nikons-sendai-factory-62213402.htm

Nikon Lens Serial Nos
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

OnDSnap wrote:

Is anybody other than myself bothered by this...I recently purchased a Nikor 105 Micro, and it is stamped "Made in China"...I understand why, what I'm having a problem with is this going to degrade the resale value of Nikon products.
Am I over thinking this?

If it concerns you, watch for a 6 digit serial number, those 105mm AF-S G Micros are all made in Japan, its only the 7 digit serial number models that are made in China.

Hypno Loc: Miami

So, if it is cheaper to make it in China or Thailand, Nikon must be making more money on those products than the ones made in Japan. I think what is troublesome is the feeling of being cheated by the company that is now charging the same for cheaper made products. We develop a psychological relationship when "branding" with a product that makes us feel a certain entitlement, like an old friend. Our friend is now taking advantage of us by making a bigger profit.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

OnDSnap wrote:

Is anybody other than myself bothered by this...I recently purchased a Nikor 105 Micro, and it is stamped "Made in China"...I understand why, what I'm having a problem with is this going to degrade the resale value of Nikon products.
Am I over thinking this?

The old idea of the Chinese manufacturing products in little shacks with dirt floors is just that - an old idea. Every major manufacturer in the world relies on Chinese manufacturing. The companies design the factories and the machinery and specify how the product is to be made. Toyko, New York, or New Delhi - the only difference is the cost of manufacturing. That's why Nikon cameras and lenses are so cheap. :D

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

St3v3M wrote:

Inside the Nikon 1 factory in China
http://www.cnet.com.au/inside-the-nikon-1-factory-in-china-339324767.html

I thought this was an odd statement in that article. "The Nikon 1 is the company's name for its range of interchangeable lens cameras. There are two models, the J1 and V1, each catering to a slightly different user. Find out more about the range in our hands-on gallery."

DSLRs also have interchangeable lenses.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

jerryc41 wrote:

St3v3M wrote:

Inside the Nikon 1 factory in China
http://www.cnet.com.au/inside-the-nikon-1-factory-in-china-339324767.html

I thought this was an odd statement in that article. "The Nikon 1 is the company's name for its range of interchangeable lens cameras. There are two models, the J1 and V1, each catering to a slightly different user. Find out more about the range in our hands-on gallery."

DSLRs also have interchangeable lenses.

DSLRs are a class in themselves.
Interchangeable lens cameras is the whole industries designation for the cameras that resemble P&S cameras, but have the added feature of being able to remove and replace the lens portion. Most have no viewfinder (J1), and those that do utilize a non-optical viewfinder (V1).

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

MT Shooter wrote:

OnDSnap wrote:

Is anybody other than myself bothered by this...I recently purchased a Nikor 105 Micro, and it is stamped "Made in China"...I understand why, what I'm having a problem with is this going to degrade the resale value of Nikon products.
Am I over thinking this?

If it concerns you, watch for a 6 digit serial number, those 105mm AF-S G Micros are all made in Japan, its only the 7 digit serial number models that are made in China.

It has a 7 digit...USXXXXXXX

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

OnDSnap wrote:

quote=MT Shooter quote=OnDSnap Is anybody other ... (show quote)

Then since its the USA version the SN will be 6XXXXXX

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

I suppose it's just a mental thing, being around Nikon product for 40 years and seeing "Made in Japan" Nikon & Japan, Japan and Nikon... and lets face it... knowing all well and good, China & Crap can be synonymous. But hey, it is what it is...

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

MT Shooter wrote:

quote=OnDSnap quote=MT Shooter quote=OnDSnap Is... (show quote)

Correct,starts with a 6... What about the Thailand SN's 7 digits no US as on my D7000?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

OnDSnap wrote:

quote=MT Shooter quote=OnDSnap quote=MT Shooter... (show quote)

Nikons USA bodies do not apply a "US" to the beginning of the SN. The D7000 is, and has always been, produced at the Thailand facility. That was why they became impossible to get after the Thailand flooding. Its also why the D600's manufacturing was designated for the Thailand factory. First Nikon full frame DSLR made anywhere but Japan, and first full frame body made in Thailand. It primarily based on the D7000 components anyway so the move made lots of economic sense.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Yeah, I never really took note of serial no.'s (except when registering) and origin till recently...it was always Japan and never gave it another thought, till now...