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Made in Japan no more: Nikon moving camera production overseas

mooseontheloose

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Not that it matters so much for the core of this group, but it looks like Nikon will no longer produce any more SLR camera bodies domestically - all will be done in overseas factories. It looks like the last body to be produced here is the D6, but that is moving to Thailand.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14327802
 
It's a sad state of affairs when any long-established company has to do this.
 

Hello Rachelle,

it is correct, but also kind of "old" news, because Nikon explained it already some months ago. The Nikon Factory in Sendai, in which the professional Nikon cameras (like D6, F6) were made, will be reorganized. The factory will not be closed, it will be used for other product groups.
The Nikon camera factory in Thailand is very well established: Nikon is producing cameras there for about 30 years now. And for quite a long time this factory has been Nikon biggest camera factory.

Best regards,
Henning
 
michael_r said:
I wonder about Nikon’s future. Doesn’t look very bright to me unless it transforms itself into a totally different company.
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I don't worry at all, because Nikon is financially very stable and their restructuring plans are showing first positive results. The transfer of camera production to other Asian countries is a strategy almost all other Japanese camera manufacturers have done years ago (and as explained in my posting above, Nikon also did it partly long time ago). It is nothing new at all in this industry.
And generally all camera manufacturers have to reorganise and adopt to the collapsing digital camera market, which has lost about 95% (!) of its volume in the last decade.
And this collapse is not over yet, it will continue for another 3-4 years until it will find a bottom.
By the way: In 2020 more film cameras were sold than digital cameras. Fujifilm alone sold more instax instant film cameras (about 9 million units) than all Japanese digital camera manufacturers together sold digital cameras (8.7 millions).

Best regards,
Henning
 
Nikon stopped production of the F6 some time ago....so, they do not actually produce cameras anywhere anymore.
 
Nikon is probably in the position where they have so many other products that making any sort of Camera is a distraction for them. Canon is also likely in that sphere.
 
Nikon is apparently hurting something awful right now. A good friend of mine worked for Nikon USA until recently. If you ever visited a trade show, photo conference, or other event where Nikon had a booth set up, or ever attended any kind of Nikon education class you would have met him. He was recently laid off along with hundreds of other US based Nikon employees. He also said not to hold your breath on the new Z9 that Nikon announced because the likelihood that it will be delivered this year is slim to none.
 
Andrew O'Neill said:
So what? Why are you telling me that??
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Because as of October of last year, Nikon no longer makes film cameras, since the F6 was discontinued. Those who aren’t interested in digital would naturally have little interest in what Nikon is producing since all that they have now is digital goods.
 
...or Canon or any company still in production unless large format or LOMO.
 
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/snark ON/ More elitist bullshit. /snark OFF/ LOL. Wink. Smirk. Smile.
 
In case anyone reading this needs context, I have and use film cameras from 35mm through 11x14. Last November, I took delivery of what was probably the final brand new Nikon F6 imported into the U.S. I also own and use two Nikon D810s along with a range of F-mount Sigma Art lenses.
BradS said:
Nikon stopped production of the F6 some time ago....so, they do not actually produce cameras anywhere anymore.
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Sal Santamaura said:
Elitist bullshit. I thought you were smarter than that, Brad.
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George Mann said:
Even though the digital capture devices you are referring to are technically cameras, many of us do not see them as being serious replacements.
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Many of us do not see your elitist bullshit as anything worth serious respect. In fact, it decreases the level of respect for anything you might post on the subject of photography. At least you accurately referred to Nikon's digital cameras as cameras.
George Mann said:
Many of us have zero interest in digital photography.
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Many of us have zero interest in elitist bullshit. However, unlike some other elitist bullshitters on PHOTRIO, at least you referred to digital photography as photography.
Andrew O'Neill said:
So what? Why are you telling me that??
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To publicly proclaim his elitist bullshit. And those who aren't interested in elitist bullshit would naturally have little interest in elitists' lack of interest in digital cameras/photography.
George Mann said:
No film camera's = zero interest.
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Why does your lack of interest compel you to post about it in a thread about Nikon cameras? Other than to brag about your bullshit elitism?
BrianShaw said:
/snark ON/ More elitist bullshit. /snark OFF/ LOL. Wink. Smirk. Smile.
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Another fine smirking, snarky contribution, Brian. Have anything useful to offer for a change?
 
Good lord man. Bitter and cranky, table for 1 please?!?

You and helge should get together and bump uglies for a while. Work out some of that pent up sexual frustration.
 
Sal Santamaura said:
Perhaps you ought get your own life together before attacking others who simply post reality checks for elitists.
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Sorry you’re having such a bad day man. Tomorrow’s a new day.
 
Yup... that’s photrio’s own SoapboxSal. It’s not a just a bad day... Sal doesn’t like Brad so he attacked without contributing to the thread; he doesn’t like George or Chip or me either. He doesn’t seem to like you, Christopher, either. So what...
 
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cmacd123 said:
Nikon is probably in the position where they have so many other products that making any sort of Camera is a distraction for them. Canon is also likely in that sphere.
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...as exemplified by the Canon ownership of one of the major medical imaging products companies, which is about 4X the camera business volume.

Meanwhile, the Nikon CEO stated last year that the imaging products has to start making some profit, to justify its continued existence in the Nikon portfolio.
 
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  • Kodachromeguy
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