Nikon USA: Refurbished Z8 for $3200 Deal Is Back

[shuncheung]

I think the deal is incredible, but I'm just wondering why/how there are so many refurbished Z8's around?

Are you seeing published reports by sellers of their thousands of Z8s in refurb inventory? Or high management saying that they are swimming in returned/replaced Z8s? I don’t see any evidence, myself, of “so many” Z8s around.

It is reasonable for Nikon to receive some back. Same thing happened with the Z9, and others. Probably with other brands as well. But we don’t know if there are three Z8s available in this refurb sale, or 30,000.

I don't mean any offense by 'so many'. While I do remember seeing the Z9 on the refurbished sale a coupe times, the Z9 is much older than the Z8. I suppose I didn't expect the Z8 to be marked down 20% off it's MSRP twice within 9 months of it's announcement/launch - and have enough inventory to not sell out in the first sale so it lingered at $3499 until this new one.

Refurbished Z9 started appearing in the first half of 2023 at $4500. That was a bit over a year since Nikon started shipping the Z9. But the early days of the Z9 was still under Covid supply-chain shortages. Nikon was shipping around 5000 Z9 a month.

Nikon was shipping the Z8 in much larger numbers, as (1) it is cheaper and (2) Covid was mostly over by mid 2023. I received my new Z8 in mid November 2023 and based on my serial number, there were already 25K Z8 in the US and likely over 100K world wide. After the holiday discount, there should be a lot of Z8 in customers' hands. Say there are 40K in the US. If 2% is returned, there can easily be 800 refurb Z8.

Of course you're more than welcome to speculate that Nikon would reduce the Z8 refurb price from $3499 to $3199 for 3 bodies in inventory, but I would speculate that their inventory is likely higher, much higher. I don't know of published reports, particularly from retailers, I'm just trying to remember the last time I've seen this so early on for others, and I'm not quite sure. I guess I'm just curious why there are enough refurbs to sell at a substantial discount and not run out, because I quite like both of mine and I can't think of why they'd all be returned to Nikon Direct.

The other thing is, I don't think Nikon is selling these at a loss, so I'm wondering if the $800 difference from MSRP ($600 from new sale) was just margin all along, or if some component(s) started to become a lot cheaper, or yield a lot better (I.E. the sensor and/or Expeed7 costs much less now)... I haven't heard of any lithography news, but now this is the second time for this sale, I'm curious.

It’s common for manufacturers to negotiate additional discounts from suppliers on components as their products age. It’s also common to charge high prices to early adopters and then mark them down later. I see nothing interesting here. To me, it’s just business as usual.

I'm just curious which components are maturing and getting much cheaper. Expeed 7? The stacked sensor? Both, something else completely, etc. Otherwise I understand and agree, 'early adopter tax' is real.

Both, I would think. The Expeed7 is now 3? years old so has probably gone through at least two cycles of price reduction as fab production yields increase at the same time as production quantities increase with the Z8 and now Zf. If new bodies rumored for release imminently also use the Expeed7 that will continue to drive cost reductions.

Similar with the stacked sensor, though since it only is used in the Z8/9 the lower volumes might not reduce its cost as much. Although … what about a stacked-sensor DX high end camera that is an offshoot?

I have both the Z8 and Z9. While I prefer the Z9, the Z8 is a fine camera. There were two early service advisories, but other than those, it is a great camera.

The Expeed 7 is 28 months old. It has reached the average lifespan for an Expeed processor. I would expect an update within a year. It should also be cheaper to produce the stack sensor by now, after 2.5 years of production.

 

[InkedMarie]

Dangit!

I just got the Z 50/1.8S new last week, thinking it might be a while before another of these sales, and it was time. Now it’s on this refurb sale for $120 off the price I paid.

Contact Nikon and ask if they will refund the $120. Can’t hurt.

Marie

 

[PLShutterbug]

Dangit!

I just got the Z 50/1.8S new last week, thinking it might be a while before another of these sales, and it was time. Now it’s on this refurb sale for $120 off the price I paid.

Contact Nikon and ask if they will refund the $120. Can’t hurt.

Marie

I didn’t buy it from NikonUSA but from another retailer. And I bought it new, so that gives that retailer a good reason to refuse such a request.

 

[Visionist]

Once again it is for four days: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-p...mirrorless-cameras/1695q/z-8-refurbished.html

From February 16 to 19, 2024.

The hitch was that when Nikon USA had this deal a month ago, a lot of the refurb Z8 still had serial numbers that were under the service advisory. Eventually Nikon USA confirmed that they just had not updated those S/N on their web tool yet, but the cameras had already been repaired for that service advisory. This was the previous discussion in January: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67470854

This is Nikon's Z8 service advisory page with the tool to check S/N: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/service...ories-for-users-of-the-nikon-z-8-cameras.html

Bring back the trade in deal on the new one. You could have gotten a new one for $3399, like I did. Just $199 more than this. On sale $3699, than $300 extra off on your trade in.

What trade-in? Oh, I could have gotten $300 for my Z6 II?

I ordered the refurb on Friday, a more than $700 savings with tax. Yeah, refurb can be a bit of a crapshoot, but thus far every refurb Nikon I've ever bought, and there have been a few, had zero clicks and were exactly like new. Ah, but no original box, just that plain white box that says Refurbished. This time could be different, but I'm keeping my toes crossed.

 

[shuncheung]

Once again it is for four days: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-p...mirrorless-cameras/1695q/z-8-refurbished.html

From February 16 to 19, 2024.

The hitch was that when Nikon USA had this deal a month ago, a lot of the refurb Z8 still had serial numbers that were under the service advisory. Eventually Nikon USA confirmed that they just had not updated those S/N on their web tool yet, but the cameras had already been repaired for that service advisory. This was the previous discussion in January: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67470854

This is Nikon's Z8 service advisory page with the tool to check S/N: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/service...ories-for-users-of-the-nikon-z-8-cameras.html

Bring back the trade in deal on the new one. You could have gotten a new one for $3399, like I did. Just $199 more than this. On sale $3699, than $300 extra off on your trade in.

What trade-in? Oh, I could have gotten $300 for my Z6 II?

I believe Nikon was offering pretty decent trade-in values for some DSLRs such as D750, D850 … during the 2023 holiday season a few months ago, but I didn’t explore them. Instead I got a new Z8 from B&H for $3700 with PayBoo taking care of my sales tax, which is over 9%.

I ordered the refurb on Friday, a more than $700 savings with tax. Yeah, refurb can be a bit of a crapshoot, but thus far every refurb Nikon I've ever bought, and there have been a few, had zero clicks and were exactly like new. Ah, but no original box, just that plain white box that says Refurbished. This time could be different, but I'm keeping my toes crossed.

Good luck. Except that those Z8 serial numbers were still listed in the service advisory, most people who bought refurbished Z8 last month were happy. One person was upset that info from the previous owner was still on the camera and decided to return it.

BTW, it looks like Nikon still has those refurbished Z8 available.

 

[Visionist]

Once again it is for four days: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-p...mirrorless-cameras/1695q/z-8-refurbished.html

From February 16 to 19, 2024.

The hitch was that when Nikon USA had this deal a month ago, a lot of the refurb Z8 still had serial numbers that were under the service advisory. Eventually Nikon USA confirmed that they just had not updated those S/N on their web tool yet, but the cameras had already been repaired for that service advisory. This was the previous discussion in January: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67470854

This is Nikon's Z8 service advisory page with the tool to check S/N: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/service...ories-for-users-of-the-nikon-z-8-cameras.html

Bring back the trade in deal on the new one. You could have gotten a new one for $3399, like I did. Just $199 more than this. On sale $3699, than $300 extra off on your trade in.

What trade-in? Oh, I could have gotten $300 for my Z6 II?

I believe Nikon was offering pretty decent trade-in values for some DSLRs such as D750, D850 … during the 2023 holiday season a few months ago, but I didn’t explore them. Instead I got a new Z8 from B&H for $3700 with PayBoo taking care of my sales tax, which is over 9%.

I ordered the refurb on Friday, a more than $700 savings with tax. Yeah, refurb can be a bit of a crapshoot, but thus far every refurb Nikon I've ever bought, and there have been a few, had zero clicks and were exactly like new. Ah, but no original box, just that plain white box that says Refurbished. This time could be different, but I'm keeping my toes crossed.

Good luck. Except that those Z8 serial numbers were still listed in the service advisory, most people who bought refurbished Z8 last month were happy. One person was upset that info from the previous owner was still on the camera and decided to return it.

BTW, it looks like Nikon still has those refurbished Z8 available.

Thanks. I considered using my PayBoo, but the interest would be more than the tax savings (6% here) and Bread (Comenity's parent company apparently) offered zero interest for 12 months, so that sold me. I didn't know that you can return a camera to Nikon after opening the box and using the camera. If that's true, then I rest more easily, although I really hope all will be well as I have wanted a Z8 for some time, and god knows I really need one. Or not, but GAS rules, as usual.

 

[shuncheung]

After 4 days, this refurb sale is over. I believe Nikon still had them in stock till the end of that 4-day window, as I checked yesterday.

For those who purchased refurb Z8 during this round. I sure hope that your serial number is not on the Technical Service Advisory list: https://nikon.tfaforms.net/696

 

[madecov]

After 4 days, this refurb sale is over. I believe Nikon still had them in stock till the end of that 4-day window, as I checked yesterday.

For those who purchased refurb Z8 during this round. I sure hope that your serial number is not on the Technical Service Advisory list: https://nikon.tfaforms.net/696

I missed this round. I'm a few hundred short until this weekend. If the $200 off new is still good I'll get a new one this weekend, if not I'll just wait for the next sale or a Z7lll if it's announced

 

[shuncheung]

After 4 days, this refurb sale is over. I believe Nikon still had them in stock till the end of that 4-day window, as I checked yesterday.

I missed this round. I'm a few hundred short until this weekend. If the $200 off new is still good I'll get a new one this weekend, if not I'll just wait for the next sale or a Z7lll if it's announced

I am fairly certain that these deals will be back, most likely in March. Actually Nikon USA discounted the new Z8 to $3700 during the 2023 holiday season a few months ago, $100 lower than the current discount.

If you are not in a hurry, keep an eye on things in March. March 31 is the end of Nikon's fiscal year, and the yen is once again quite low so that the exchange rate is in your favor.

 

[Visionist]

After 4 days, this refurb sale is over. I believe Nikon still had them in stock till the end of that 4-day window, as I checked yesterday.

For those who purchased refurb Z8 during this round. I sure hope that your serial number is not on the Technical Service Advisory list: https://nikon.tfaforms.net/696

I ordered mine early on last Friday and Nikon still hasn't shipped. What I love about B&H is how quickly they ship items that are in stock—I ordered an Arca Swiss plate for the Z8 today and it has already shipped FedEx so that I will receive it no later than Thursday.

 

[shuncheung]

After 4 days, this refurb sale is over. I believe Nikon still had them in stock till the end of that 4-day window, as I checked yesterday.

For those who purchased refurb Z8 during this round. I sure hope that your serial number is not on the Technical Service Advisory list: https://nikon.tfaforms.net/696

I ordered mine early on last Friday and Nikon still hasn't shipped. What I love about B&H is how quickly they ship items that are in stock—I ordered an Arca Swiss plate for the Z8 today and it has already shipped FedEx so that I will receive it no later than Thursday.

Nikon could be shipping from their warehouse in the Midwest, and Monday was a holiday. B&H is all in NYC and New Jersey. They may have a long waiting list for hot items, but otherwise they are quick.

 

[mgreene33]

After 4 days, this refurb sale is over. I believe Nikon still had them in stock till the end of that 4-day window, as I checked yesterday.

For those who purchased refurb Z8 during this round. I sure hope that your serial number is not on the Technical Service Advisory list: https://nikon.tfaforms.net/696

I missed this round. I'm a few hundred short until this weekend. If the $200 off new is still good I'll get a new one this weekend, if not I'll just wait for the next sale or a Z7lll if it's announced

I was very tempted to jump on the first refurb batch, but am now glad I waited. I already have a Z9, so I'm in no particular rush for a Z8. However, I'd eventually like to upgrade my Z7II as a backup and the camera I use for travel. I'm purposely waiting to see what shakes out (hopefully soon) with any Z6III/Z7III before making a switch. I can be patient knowing that a Z8 (refurbished or not) is still there now as an option either way.

--
https://www.mlgreenephotography.com/

 

[Visionist]

After 4 days, this refurb sale is over. I believe Nikon still had them in stock till the end of that 4-day window, as I checked yesterday.

For those who purchased refurb Z8 during this round. I sure hope that your serial number is not on the Technical Service Advisory list: https://nikon.tfaforms.net/696

I missed this round. I'm a few hundred short until this weekend. If the $200 off new is still good I'll get a new one this weekend, if not I'll just wait for the next sale or a Z7lll if it's announced

I was very tempted to jump on the first refurb batch, but am now glad I waited. I already have a Z9, so I'm in no particular rush for a Z8. However, I'd eventually like to upgrade my Z7II as a backup and the camera I use for travel. I'm purposely waiting to see what shakes out (hopefully soon) with any Z6III/Z7III before making a switch. I can be patient knowing that a Z8 (refurbished or not) is still there now as an option either way.

That's interesting about the Z6III and Z7III, and Nikon Rumors talks about the coming of the Z6III, but I am at a loss to see why Nikon would backtrack to that generation unless both iterations are going to be shutterless like the Z8/Z9. I do think having a Z6 or Z7 size and weight sans shutter with a lot of the features and specs of the Z8 would be great. Any idea how much such a Z6III would sell for?

 

[madecov]

After 4 days, this refurb sale is over. I believe Nikon still had them in stock till the end of that 4-day window, as I checked yesterday.

For those who purchased refurb Z8 during this round. I sure hope that your serial number is not on the Technical Service Advisory list: https://nikon.tfaforms.net/696

I missed this round. I'm a few hundred short until this weekend. If the $200 off new is still good I'll get a new one this weekend, if not I'll just wait for the next sale or a Z7lll if it's announced

I was very tempted to jump on the first refurb batch, but am now glad I waited. I already have a Z9, so I'm in no particular rush for a Z8. However, I'd eventually like to upgrade my Z7II as a backup and the camera I use for travel. I'm purposely waiting to see what shakes out (hopefully soon) with any Z6III/Z7III before making a switch. I can be patient knowing that a Z8 (refurbished or not) is still there now as an option either way.

That's interesting about the Z6III and Z7III, and Nikon Rumors talks about the coming of the Z6III, but I am at a loss to see why Nikon would backtrack to that generation unless both iterations are going to be shutterless like the Z8/Z9. I do think having a Z6 or Z7 size and weight sans shutter with a lot of the features and specs of the Z8 would be great. Any idea how much such a Z6III would sell for?

Well, if the Z8 is MSRP of $3999.00 a Z6III has to sell for enough less that people will actually buy it. I can't see it going for much over $2500.00 unless there is no Z7lll and the feature set justifies being close to $3000.00, then there is really no room for a Z7lll price wise.

 

[shuncheung]

That's interesting about the Z6III and Z7III, and Nikon Rumors talks about the coming of the Z6III, but I am at a loss to see why Nikon would backtrack to that generation unless both iterations are going to be shutterless like the Z8/Z9. I do think having a Z6 or Z7 size and weight sans shutter with a lot of the features and specs of the Z8 would be great. Any idea how much such a Z6III would sell for?

Well, if the Z8 is MSRP of $3999.00 a Z6III has to sell for enough less that people will actually buy it. I can't see it going for much over $2500.00 unless there is no Z7lll and the feature set justifies being close to $3000.00, then there is really no room for a Z7lll price wise.

As I have said several times, there is already no room for any Z7iii, with refurb Z8 going for $3200 and new ones for $3700. Nikon cannot rely on only the Zf to hold onto the $2000 market. The Zf is still a niche product that plenty of people won't consider. The Z6iii is going to be closer to $2500 MSRP than $2000, similar to the Canon R6ii and Sony A7 iV.

 

[PLShutterbug]

After 4 days, this refurb sale is over. I believe Nikon still had them in stock till the end of that 4-day window, as I checked yesterday.

For those who purchased refurb Z8 during this round. I sure hope that your serial number is not on the Technical Service Advisory list: https://nikon.tfaforms.net/696

I missed this round. I'm a few hundred short until this weekend. If the $200 off new is still good I'll get a new one this weekend, if not I'll just wait for the next sale or a Z7lll if it's announced

I was very tempted to jump on the first refurb batch, but am now glad I waited. I already have a Z9, so I'm in no particular rush for a Z8. However, I'd eventually like to upgrade my Z7II as a backup and the camera I use for travel. I'm purposely waiting to see what shakes out (hopefully soon) with any Z6III/Z7III before making a switch. I can be patient knowing that a Z8 (refurbished or not) is still there now as an option either way.

That's interesting about the Z6III and Z7III, and Nikon Rumors talks about the coming of the Z6III, but I am at a loss to see why Nikon would backtrack to that generation unless both iterations are going to be shutterless like the Z8/Z9. I do think having a Z6 or Z7 size and weight sans shutter with a lot of the features and specs of the Z8 would be great. Any idea how much such a Z6III would sell for?

Different form factors, cost, and target market. There will be a huge demand for the Z6iii. Probably not as much for the Z7iii because its price will be closer to the Z8, but if it's smaller, lighter, and still has most of the Z8 features people will buy it.

 

[Visionist]

After 4 days, this refurb sale is over. I believe Nikon still had them in stock till the end of that 4-day window, as I checked yesterday.

For those who purchased refurb Z8 during this round. I sure hope that your serial number is not on the Technical Service Advisory list: https://nikon.tfaforms.net/696

I ordered mine early on last Friday and Nikon still hasn't shipped. What I love about B&H is how quickly they ship items that are in stock—I ordered an Arca Swiss plate for the Z8 today and it has already shipped FedEx so that I will receive it no later than Thursday.

Nikon could be shipping from their warehouse in the Midwest, and Monday was a holiday. B&H is all in NYC and New Jersey. They may have a long waiting list for hot items, but otherwise they are quick.

ha! yeah, from Ohio. I think they were eavesdropping because they shipped late yesterday and it is arriving here on the east coast tomorrow. Can't beat that. Hopefully it will be a good one. I'll check the serial # and let you know if it's on the service advisory list still.

 

[ARClark]

After 4 days, this refurb sale is over. I believe Nikon still had them in stock till the end of that 4-day window, as I checked yesterday.

For those who purchased refurb Z8 during this round. I sure hope that your serial number is not on the Technical Service Advisory list: https://nikon.tfaforms.net/696

I ordered mine early on last Friday and Nikon still hasn't shipped. What I love about B&H is how quickly they ship items that are in stock—I ordered an Arca Swiss plate for the Z8 today and it has already shipped FedEx so that I will receive it no later than Thursday.

Nikon could be shipping from their warehouse in the Midwest, and Monday was a holiday. B&H is all in NYC and New Jersey. They may have a long waiting list for hot items, but otherwise they are quick.

ha! yeah, from Ohio. I think they were eavesdropping because they shipped late yesterday and it is arriving here on the east coast tomorrow. Can't beat that. Hopefully it will be a good one. I'll check the serial # and let you know if it's on the service advisory list still.

Hopefully yours shows unaffected. I bought mine at the previous Refurb sale and it still shows affected.

 

[shuncheung]

Visionist wrote:

I ordered mine early on last Friday and Nikon still hasn't shipped. What I love about B&H is how quickly they ship items that are in stock—I ordered an Arca Swiss plate for the Z8 today and it has already shipped FedEx so that I will receive it no later than Thursday.

Nikon could be shipping from their warehouse in the Midwest, and Monday was a holiday. B&H is all in NYC and New Jersey. They may have a long waiting list for hot items, but otherwise they are quick.

ha! yeah, from Ohio. I think they were eavesdropping because they shipped late yesterday and it is arriving here on the east coast tomorrow. Can't beat that. Hopefully it will be a good one. I'll check the serial # and let you know if it's on the service advisory list still.

Ohio, interesting. I thought their warehouse was somewhere else.

In any case, that is why when you order, even thought if you are talking to a sales representative, they cannot tell you about the serial number and the shutter actuation. They just transmit the customer information and someone else will package the camera and put the address label onto the box, from a totally different location.

Again, hopefully your S/N is not under service advisory. I would like to think Nikon USA has cleaned that up since the issue we found last month.

 

[Visionist]

Received Z8, serial number 3011439 unaffected. Thanks shuncheung.