Photography Thailand Forum

[David Salmanowitz]

Having never used the Nikon service center here in BKK would just like to relate my experience--it was very good. Had dropped off a big telephoto to have the back/front focus calibrated. I use a Lens Align (michaeltapesdesign.com/) for my other lenses but did not have the long ruler for this big one, so I decided to take it to Nikon. I had a choice of having it calibrated to factory specs or to individual camera. I opted on having it calibrated to the individual camera I always use with it. 5 days later it was ready, and not only did they calibrate it they did a thorough cleaning of my camera--looks brand new. The price for all of this was 485 baht--a very good deal! So allow me to give Nikon a   

[Gregg Spradling]

Wow, that is great service and an amazing price.

[David Salmanowitz]

Gregg, 3 years ago when I was shooting Canon the camera would top working for 45 minutes, then start up again. Then it would be fine for 2 weeks, and then stop for awhile. The thought of missing a shot when it was in down mode was killing me. Took it to Canon's service center here in BKK and they fixed it for about the same price. Then I sold it before it stopped working again. 

[Gregg Spradling]

you can read my mind David.    I was just wondering if Canon offered the same service for roughly the same price.

I don't have any expensive glass, but I wonder if the more costly lenses offer a lifetime warranty.

[bkkdave]

I have four Canon L Lenses. There is no lifetime warranty. I believe it is twelve months and the warranty applies to the specific country or region the lens was purchased in.

[David Salmanowitz]

Nikon as well has a 12 month warranty on the lenses. I think for camera bodies as well as lenses if it is purchased as a non grey market item the warranty is valid around the globe, at least on paper.  The grey market prices are cheaper but for warranty repair it must be returned to the dealer that it was purchased from for repair within the allotted time frame.

[Michael Luthi]

Just when i wanted to bring my 500mm f4 P for cleaning and general service to NCS Singapore. Now i think i wait till November when i moved to bangook. Where is the service centre located by the way?

[David Salmanowitz]

Michael--I went to the one at Sathorn. http://home.nikon-asia.com/servicecentres.php?countrycode=th  In the Empire Tower, 45th floor. Bring some ID as you will need it at front desk to trade for a visitor pass. If you take the skytrain it is right at Chong Nonsi stop.

[Marc Schultz]

David - I thought the only authorized service center for Nikon in Thailand is NIKS on Silom. Am I wrong?

[David Salmanowitz]

Marc--I guess they must have two service centers now, as per Nikon's website link. Odd as not that far from Sathorn to Silom.

[Marc Schultz]

That sounds like a positive. Some competition means they are breaking up the monopoly. Before you had just NIKS, which both sells and services. So there was a conflict of interest there. If you now have 2 resellers doing the same thing, then it helps keep them honest. It seems Nikon has opened their own service center now. It is kind of funny because Nikon pleased theirs directly across the street from Canon's on the opposite corner and even copied the company name. I think Canon's is called "Canon Sales Thailand". It is funny sometimes to see how things are done in the corporate world with stiff competition.