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Looking to upgrade my camera
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Feb 21, 2019 20:08:59   #
Mountain Rider Loc: Rigby, Idaho
 
Took a class last Saturday which opened my eyes to many things. One of those being the fact my old D100 is a bit lacking for what I want to do. I'm thinking of going with the Nikon D7000, used for now, but am concerned about winding up with a gray market special. Is there any way of identifying an actual US model as opposed to an "other country" model? It's a minor detail right now as a used body is out of warranty anyway, but if it came to needing a repair, I rather like the idea of being able to get them done instead of being told I wasted my money. I looked at a number of new cameras, and they're nice, similarly priced to the used D7000, but I can use the lenses I already have with the 7000. That and the capabilities of the D7000 just seem amazing. If all goes as planned, this camera would take me through a lot more learning and maybe get my wife started as well. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

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Feb 21, 2019 20:21:23   #
rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin
 
Look at prices from reputable dealers - B&H, Adorama, Cameta, KEH - and examine their fine print for any reference to gray or non-U.S. models. Look also at local dealers where you can see the used camera and ask direct questions regarding Gray Market. Don’t chase the lowest price.

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Feb 21, 2019 20:22:31   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
You really do have an oldie, a D100. The D7000 is definitely an upgrade. I will tell you upfront. Do not buy any camera from 42nd Street Photo Shop. You will most likely get a gray market. The D7000 camera has 16 megapixels, compared to the D7100, which has 24 megapixels. If you can save just a little more money, you can get a used D7100. You may want to check KEH Photo first. They sell good used lenses and cameras. Good luck.

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Feb 21, 2019 20:34:00   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
Mountain Rider wrote:
Took a class last Saturday which opened my eyes to many things. One of those being the fact my old D100 is a bit lacking for what I want to do. I'm thinking of going with the Nikon D7000, used for now, but am concerned about winding up with a gray market special. Is there any way of identifying an actual US model as opposed to an "other country" model? It's a minor detail right now as a used body is out of warranty anyway, but if it came to needing a repair, I rather like the idea of being able to get them done instead of being told I wasted my money. I looked at a number of new cameras, and they're nice, similarly priced to the used D7000, but I can use the lenses I already have with the 7000. That and the capabilities of the D7000 just seem amazing. If all goes as planned, this camera would take me through a lot more learning and maybe get my wife started as well. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.
Took a class last Saturday which opened my eyes to... (show quote)
Consider going with a new D7100 from a reputable dealer.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/927108-GREY/nikon_d7100_dslr_camera_with.html

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Feb 21, 2019 20:45:21   #
pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA
 
Ask for the camera’s serial number. It’s not perfect, but for decades, most commonly, US models sold via Nikon USA start with 3 on their serial number. 3 is their common designation of a US market item. This is not true for models the like of D5, etc because of low production quantities but in your case is likely true. Nikon lenses that are US models also start with 3 in many cases. Alternatively get the seial number and then call Nikon repair. They will look it up and tell you. I went through this a bit ago before purchasing a high end used Nikon body. My experience does not make me an expert but that’s the jist of what I learned. Good luck, it’s not easy to sorting it out. Good luck.

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Feb 21, 2019 21:04:04   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
Mountain Rider wrote:
Took a class last Saturday which opened my eyes to many things. One of those being the fact my old D100 is a bit lacking for what I want to do. I'm thinking of going with the Nikon D7000, used for now, but am concerned about winding up with a gray market special. Is there any way of identifying an actual US model as opposed to an "other country" model? It's a minor detail right now as a used body is out of warranty anyway, but if it came to needing a repair, I rather like the idea of being able to get them done instead of being told I wasted my money. I looked at a number of new cameras, and they're nice, similarly priced to the used D7000, but I can use the lenses I already have with the 7000. That and the capabilities of the D7000 just seem amazing. If all goes as planned, this camera would take me through a lot more learning and maybe get my wife started as well. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.
Took a class last Saturday which opened my eyes to... (show quote)


You could request a photograph of the serial number plate, which will enable you to look up the country of origin.

http://www.dslrbodies.com/cameras/camera-articles/nikon-camera-serial-numbers.html

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Feb 21, 2019 21:13:48   #
krashdragon
 
Check Adorama, or B&H for a factory refurbished. I've bought cameras and kenses from both, couldnt tell from new. My bf even bought a refurb 50" tv from Walmart. Has one tiny 1/2 inch scratch on the very top where no one could even see it.

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Feb 21, 2019 21:16:23   #
CO
 
Amazon still has a brand new D7000. I purchased one from them not long ago. I had one already. They sell US warranty models. It's still a great camera.

Check out Ken Rockwell's "The Gray Market" at this link. I just scanned one of my boxes and the plastic wrapper the owners manual comes in. There will be a (U) above the bar code on the box. The warranty has (USA) printed on it. The plastic wrapper the owner's manual comes in will have a U-S sticker.

https://kenrockwell.com/tech/gray-market.htm


(Download)


(Download)

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Feb 21, 2019 21:35:35   #
CO
 
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
You could request a photograph of the serial number plate, which will enable you to look up the country of origin.

http://www.dslrbodies.com/cameras/camera-articles/nikon-camera-serial-numbers.html


I wish there was a way to look up serial numbers and get information on cameras. I'd like to know when some of mine were manufactured. I haven't found where I can search for camera serial numbers.

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Feb 21, 2019 22:02:03   #
LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY
 
I am not a Nikon guy, but, from reading various posts here on the Hog I understand that Nikon will now repair SOME grey market cameras and lenses here in the U.S. If that is true, and I am sure others can fill you in on it better then me, you might want to check whether or not the D7000 or D7100 is on that list. That would take the worry out of buying a used one that is grey.

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Feb 21, 2019 22:59:23   #
Mountain Rider Loc: Rigby, Idaho
 
That's a lot of great information, thank you. I compared the 7000 with 7100 while searching, and while both are almost identical. The D7000 had one feature I really liked, dual SD card slots. For my intended use, 16 megapixels is more than enough, as is 39 focal points of which I only plan on using one. KEH has one right now for a very good price. There were a couple I looked at on eBay around the same price range, with serial numbers that put them at home here. The real upside of buying one used, I can splurge and get a new tripod, and a few spare SD cards.

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Feb 21, 2019 23:11:59   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
I hated that the D7000 didn’t have a locking mode dial. Mine was often moving accidentally. The 7100 has one. Also had a sporadic back focusing issue with it. If I were to buy a D7xxx model, it would be newer than the D7000.
Otherwise a nice camera, definitely better than the D100.

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Feb 21, 2019 23:14:37   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
LFingar wrote:
I am not a Nikon guy, but, from reading various posts here on the Hog I understand that Nikon will now repair SOME grey market cameras and lenses here in the U.S. If that is true, and I am sure others can fill you in on it better then me, you might want to check whether or not the D7000 or D7100 is on that list. That would take the worry out of buying a used one that is grey.


Yes, the D7100 is on that list, for gray market repairs, by Nikon USA third party, authorized repair shops. Also on that list is the D610, D800, D810, and the D4s. The D7000 is not on the list. You pay out of pocket for repairs. Canon has a more lenient policy, than Nikon, when it comes to repairing gray market DSLR cameras. You have to call them to find out which cameras qualify.

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Feb 21, 2019 23:33:48   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Mountain Rider wrote:
Took a class last Saturday which opened my eyes to many things. One of those being the fact my old D100 is a bit lacking for what I want to do. I'm thinking of going with the Nikon D7000, used for now, but am concerned about winding up with a gray market special. Is there any way of identifying an actual US model as opposed to an "other country" model? It's a minor detail right now as a used body is out of warranty anyway, but if it came to needing a repair, I rather like the idea of being able to get them done instead of being told I wasted my money. I looked at a number of new cameras, and they're nice, similarly priced to the used D7000, but I can use the lenses I already have with the 7000. That and the capabilities of the D7000 just seem amazing. If all goes as planned, this camera would take me through a lot more learning and maybe get my wife started as well. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.
Took a class last Saturday which opened my eyes to... (show quote)


It is easy to determine if a Nikon is USA Warranty or not. All Nikon bodies with the first two digits of the serial number between "30" and "39" are USA models. Additionally with the D7XXX models the first two digits can also be from "25" thru "29". This is because the D7XXX series cameras are so wildly popular in the USA that Nikons sales exceeded the one million copy count allowed by the original numbering system on all models of the series. So if the first 2 digits are from 25 thru 39 you have a USA warranty model.

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Feb 22, 2019 06:15:24   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Mountain Rider wrote:
Took a class last Saturday which opened my eyes to many things. One of those being the fact my old D100 is a bit lacking for what I want to do. I'm thinking of going with the Nikon D7000, used for now, but am concerned about winding up with a gray market special. Is there any way of identifying an actual US model as opposed to an "other country" model? It's a minor detail right now as a used body is out of warranty anyway, but if it came to needing a repair, I rather like the idea of being able to get them done instead of being told I wasted my money. I looked at a number of new cameras, and they're nice, similarly priced to the used D7000, but I can use the lenses I already have with the 7000. That and the capabilities of the D7000 just seem amazing. If all goes as planned, this camera would take me through a lot more learning and maybe get my wife started as well. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.
Took a class last Saturday which opened my eyes to... (show quote)


Many, not all, US models serial numbers start with 3, Japan is usually 2, Europe 4, Canada 5, Asia 7, UK 8. Sometimes a US precedes the serial number but not always.

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