D850 is still in short supply in the US. I am flying to Japan for Cherry Blossoms. I am thinking about getting one when I am there (2 weeks).
Now the question is: is it cheaper in Japan?
What about the warranty when I am back home in the US?
I wouldn't do it. The savings will be negligible (if there will be any) and (correct me if I'm wrong) - Nikon USA treats any body not purchased through an authorized USA dealer as 'grey' market.
You still have warranty, you would just have to send it back to Japan for work which I'm sure is not economic or convenient, and the chances of shipping damages would be astronomical. Also, Nikon USA would still happily work on the Japan body, but for their normal rates. It does not become grey market, as Nikon won't touch grey market items. However, what Nikon has done is authorize more third party facilities to work on certain grey market models (providing them with tooling and training basically), so you aren't completely SOL.
A D850 in Japan is around 360,000 yen after tax which is about $3,400 USD ($3150 USD before tax), so there is no benefit there unless they have a sale that we do not see here.
Long story short, I would not bother unless there was huge savings. If you want the longest warranty, you are better off buying a Canadian body ($3325 USD) where you get a full 2 years warranty directly from Nikon, and it's much easier to deal with Nikon Canada should repairs be required.
Nikon is having DSLRs just for the Japanese market and having thus only Japanese language.
You cab also buy the international version of course but a few years ago did I not find the gear cheaper in Japan (compared with prices seen at Akihabara).
tek9 wrote:
I wouldn't do it. The savings will be negligible (if there will be any) and (correct me if I'm wrong) - Nikon USA treats any body not purchased through an authorized USA dealer as 'grey' market.
Vinnie_VdB wrote:
Nikon is having DSLRs just for the Japanese market and having thus only Japanese language.
You cab also buy the international version of course but a few years ago did I not find the gear cheaper in Japan (compared with prices seen at Akihabara).
I don't have 25 posts yet, so I can't quote others, but what Vinnie_VdB said about the device language is wrong.
By default, DSLRs in Japan have both English and Japanese installed. This can be expanded to include all other supported languages with a free servicing at the Nikon repair facility.
I live in Japan and all of my gear is bought here.
ollielufti wrote:
I don't have 25 posts yet, so I can't quote others, but what Vinnie_VdB said about the device language is wrong.
By default, DSLRs in Japan have both English and Japanese installed. This can be expanded to include all other supported languages with a free servicing at the Nikon repair facility.
I live in Japan and all of my gear is bought here.
Not wrong my friend. My friend bought last year a D810 in Japan with Japanese language only.
I was stating that there are two variations on the market, one with just Japanese and one with multiple languages.
I buy from a company in Hong Kong, they have a three year warranty, I had an issue they said send it into Nikon here (UK) and send them the estimate, after 3 minutes of receiving the estimate they funded my account and all was sorted, they honored their warranty.
CanadaMark wrote:
You still have warranty, you would just have to send it back to Japan for work which I'm sure is not economic or convenient, and the chances of shipping damages would be astronomical. Also, Nikon USA would still happily work on the Japan body, but for their normal rates. It does not become grey market, as Nikon won't touch grey market items. However, what Nikon has done is authorize more third party facilities to work on certain grey market models (providing them with tooling and training basically), so you aren't completely SOL.
I don't think that's correct. My understanding is that if you buy a camera overseas and pick it up overseas and your receipt shows that, Nikon USA will fix the camera under warranty should the need arise. Otherwise, you could never buy equipment while traveling out of your home country,
Years ago I bought a new D5000 on eBay UK. When I tried to register it at Nikon Europe’s site it wouldn’t recognise the serial number for both body and kit lens so it must have been grey import (lesson learned). I have subsequently bought from camera stores a D5100 in Italy, 2 x D800 in the UK and both a D5500 and D810 in Spain with no problem registering as they are all in Europe.
Therefore, I assume if you buy outside your continent you can’t register the serial number and this is the first thing you need when you log in for a Nikon repair or service.
Vinnie_VdB wrote:
Not wrong my friend. My friend bought last year a D810 in Japan with Japanese language only.
I was stating that there are two variations on the market, one with just Japanese and one with multiple languages.
Your friend's camera menus can be in Japanese or English.
I know this. I had one. Specs say so too, so my camera wasn't just a freak.
The D850 will do Japanese or English as well, straight out of the box.
My D850 came with an international warranty slip. Does it still need to go back to the country where I bought the camera should it require a warranty fix?
Vinnie_VdB wrote:
Not wrong my friend. My friend bought last year a D810 in Japan with Japanese language only.
I was stating that there are two variations on the market, one with just Japanese and one with multiple languages.
I lived in Japan for 6 years and bought 4 different Nikon cameras during my time there (including a D800) and I've used loads of other models in stores (including a D810). All of them had the option to switch to English. I promise you have no idea what you're talking about.
There are some manufacturers that don't have an English language option on their Japanese cameras (e.g., Sony), but most cameras from most brands have a multitude of language options.
On a side note, back when Nikon did a voluntary service recall on the D800 for focusing issues I was able to have mine (purchased in Japan) serviced in the US with no questions asked. I also had service done on a D600 that I purchased in America done in Japan under warranty--again, no questions asked.
zoetmb wrote:
I don't think that's correct. My understanding is that if you buy a camera overseas and pick it up overseas and your receipt shows that, Nikon USA will fix the camera under warranty should the need arise. Otherwise, you could never buy equipment while traveling out of your home country,
I don't think they will as it's no different than buying from Canada or any other country, but if you have something from Nikon that shows otherwise I would happily be corrected. Why would Nikon honor the warranty in the USA on a Japanese D850 but not a Canadian D850 or South American D850?
CanadaMark wrote:
I don't think they will as it's no different than buying from Canada or any other country, but if you have something from Nikon that shows otherwise I would happily be corrected. Why would Nikon honor the warranty in the USA on a Japanese D850 but not a Canadian D850 or South American D850?
There's a difference between grey market (importing a foreign product through a dealer or ordering from a foreign dealer and shipping it to the U.S.) and buying the product in a foreign market because you're there. So, as far as I know (and I seem to remember this being confirmed a few years ago, but I'll happily be corrected if someone has better information), if you buy in a foreign market and have a receipt that shows you were physically present to pick the product up, Nikon will cover it under warranty.
Thom Hogan documented this back in 2015, although I will admit to being confused when he talks about "an officially imported item" in Australia. If that refers to an item officially shipped to Australia by Nikon, it's fine. But if it only refers to a U.S. camera that was imported to Australia as a grey market item, that's another story:
"Note that the term "officially imported item" refers to where the product was purchased. If you travel to Australia and purchase an officially imported item there and get an invoice that shows that you did so (preferably with the serial number on it), NikonUSA should honor the warranty when you return to the States. Note further that Nikon may require that you show the warranty form that came with your product (which has the serial number and part number on it) along with the proof of valid purchase (some earlier digital camera bodies didn't come with this—the dealer sent information about the camera sold to Nikon). However, note that Nikon Taiwan currently does not seem to agree with this and won’t repair product that was bought as an official import elsewhere. This is a disturbing sign, as it essentially disenfranchises anyone that moves between countries.
NikonUSA will honor the warranty and repair these items for no charge to the original owner under warranty. Note that warranties are not transferrable, and do not include misuse, abuse, abnormal use, neglect, alteration, or accidents. Also, note that the warranty does not apply to the battery!
NikonUSA will for a fee repair the equipment outside of warranty or for subsequent owners.
Software upgrades or hardware fixes will be available normally. NikonUSA has even been known to notify registered owners of specific problems.
The value of your equipment when you sell it will be higher if you can prove the official import status to a savvy buyer.
Add-on warranties (for example, the 4 years of extended service coverage for Nikkor lenses in the US) are only honored if the appropriate registration card is filled out and returned to Nikon within the prescribed time period. (There is evidence that Nikon doesn't require that card to have been returned, but I think it's safest to assume that you need to return it or register your product on purchase to get the warranty extension.)
Mail-in rebates are paid if the correct information is provided to Nikon within the prescribed time period, and Instant Rebates are paid immediately."
To piggyback on others have said, English & many other languages are available on Japanese Nikon bodies. I purchased a D5300 & a D750 while in Japan and they both have that option. Not sure about the warranty back stateside. I'll find that out as well when we move back to the states. As far as the price, with tax-free at certain stores, it will be a hundred dollars cheaper. If you're visiting Tokyo I recommend MapCamera & Fujiya Camera for the best price new & used (and does tax-free).
Here is my personal experience with a D850 bought from Tokyo, Japan:
Mine comes with a Japanese 1 year Local Warranty, with only Japanese User's Manual, and English and Japanese firmware pre-installed.
I was able to register it with Nikon Singapore for the 1 year warranty plus 3 additional months for registering online.
I can download the English version of the User's Manual from their website. As for the firmware with languages other than English and Japanese, I will check with them later if they can help me to converted it to the International version with other languages like what we have here.
Now, I am not sure if the warranty registration works for everyone in Singapore because I also registered it using my NPS account.
The next thing is, will it work for other countries if it is register elsewhere, because Nikon Singapore is a subsidiary of Nikon Japan, or if the camera is bought from other than Japan the country of origin even though it is made in Thailand. All these I do not have any idea.
I don't understand why Nikon, just doesn't make there warranty very simple. Why should they care about who owns it?
Here is what I think would be wise and fair by Nikon,
Warranty ALL Bodies for 1 Year Parts & Labor, second year 50% discount on Parts & Labor. Does not matter where you purchased it, or who returns it for service period!
Warranty ALL Lens for 3 Years, 50% off for additional 2 years. Does not matter where you purchased it, or who returns it for service period!
This would be fair and really put Nikon over the top as far as ease of international purchasing. This will let there products become competitive, globally. Simple registration, Simple warranty.
Nikon should just sell there products at the same prices to everyone with respect to each individual country's monetary system, and let the chips fall where the competition desires.
This would be so good for new sales, used sales, and give there company a real desire to own there products knowing you are covered, no matter where you travel or who you purchased it from.
