User ID

Rumors are simply facts without the extra chrome trim or leather seats. If you don’t believe me, ask anybody !

BebuLamar

Yes but for now only the D6 is made in Japan so if the rumors isn't true then they keep the D6 production in Japan. Previously they made the single digit D there, the F6, the Df, the Z6 and Z7. They already discontinued the Df and the F6, the Z6 and Z7. Started production of the Z6 ii and Z7 ii in Thailand.

PetiePhotoBug Loc: Albuquerque, NM--USA

As long as my Nikons keep the photos clear and coming, I'll stick with the brand.

gouldopfl

Canon people really don't care. The most important part of a camera is the sensor and Sony makes theirs. One of Canon's selling points have always been their glass and the RF mount are some of the best. Nikon is probably closing their Japan plants to save money. That being said, any Nikon shooter who doesn't acknowledge that they are in a dire financial situation is just keeping their head in the sand. Nikon continues to lose big dollars in their camera division which can be seen by the pace of their R&D compared to Sony and Canon. They do not have the revenue from other businesses to cover their costs like Canon and Sony. The whole industry has been in decline for 10+ years but their market share has continued to drop faster due to phones. While they can stick around for a few more years, they will need a cash influx for long term viability. With the camera market in decline what is the chance that the big bucks show up?

radiojohn

My 5 MP Fuji FinePix S 5200 was made in China and that goes back quite a few years. So much for made in Japan.

Canisdirus

If you don't think Nikon is in trouble...you aren't reading their financials.
They are in trouble.

mmills79 Loc: NJ

If Nikon is in trouble, I wonder what the future has to hold for support? If Nikon bites the dust, will anyone be able to step in and repair Nikon equipment? There is a fair amount of investment in this gear and I would hate to think my camera & lens I (which I love) might not be serviceable in a few years. ....and I don't think there is any guarantee that Sony or Cannon or Olympus or ..... won't suffer similarly from the rise in people simply using cell phone cameras. So, who does one choose?

Siena Loc: Rocky Hill, CT

Thank you E.L. for a thoughtful response to this discussion. It’s a shame when things get snarky...

gwilliams6

Fact check. Canon is making their own sensors and have for the past few years. Canon hasn't used Sony sensors in years and it showed in their slow progress to real competitiveness with Sony sensors. . Nikon has consistently used Sony sensors and will continue to do so. Nikon moving their production to Thailand is NOT "outsourcing". Outsourcing is when another company makes your product. Nikon will still design their cameras and lenses and control the production of their product in their Thailand plant, wholly owned and operated by Nikon.

Nikon is doing all this so it can afford to stay in the camera market. If you read the articles , the plants Nikon is closing are because Nikon says the cellphone has killed their low end camera market, causing financial losses, and they now need to operate at lower costs for their remaining camera lines.

Nikon is not about to go out of business, but to survive they have to become leaner very fast, and this was the best way they saw going forward to do that. They will never dominate the pro camera market like they once did, but they can still be an important player. The dwindling camera market still needs them to be relevant and healthy as much as we need Canon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Olympus or any other maker.

FYI I shot Pro Nikon and Canon gear for 44 years (both brands) and moved to Sony mirrorless in January 2017. I go back with Nikon to my amateur days in the late 1960's and early seventies. I have won numerous International and National Photo Awards with both Nikon and Canon gear over the years. Nikon and Canon will both have a honored place in my memory and I wish them the best. I am rooting for Nikon here. Cheers

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Funny, how it is only the "Canon shooters" who are claiming that "this is the beginning of the end" and that Nikon is going away.

While the rest of us know that literally nothing will change than the "Made in…" stamp on everything.

WillInMke

Kind of like the Bears season...

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

Most Nikon cameras have been manufactured in Thailand for years where the cost of labor is 1/4 of Japan’s. Makes $$ sense.

radiojohn

Don't worry SAKAR will buy or rent the name. [sarcasm]

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

And in mirrorless camera sales, Olympus is 4th in sales and Nikon is 5th. Neither are in really good shape right now, but the jury will be out for at least a couple of years as to how well they will survive (and in what form).

pacman Loc: Toowoomba, Qld, Australia.

Same here. D600 body made in Thailand. Kit lens and 50mm 1:1.8D both made in China. Kit lens sourced from Hong Kong, 1.8D from London UK.