Grey Market lens

[Noah Kadner]

Could be any or all of the above- definitely warranty service is out the window.

Noah

[Tony]

Don’t expect any service or support from the legimate US service center or dealers.

You will get what you did not pay for when you need a helping hand from the USA service center and/or dealers.

Most likely you will have to ship the unit overseas for any type of service.

You might considering trying to find a “B” stock unit instead.

Tony Salgado

[David Linstrom]

‘You might considering trying to find a “B” stock unit instead.’
Good advice. Where do I find info on “B” stock?

[Noah Kadner]

Dealers and manufacturers often have it available- typically used or demo gear with U.S. warranty.

Noah

[Bruce Schultz]

I can’t see anything wrong with buying a grey market lens if your technician has a chance to see it and test it out. I have bought lots of “grey market” photographic gear while in Tokyo, Japan on a few trips, and have had no trouble getting anything serviced at independent service facilities. Nikon, Canon, Fujinon, Sony, etc. I can recommend at least 2 or 3 independent professional lens repair shops here in Los Angeles to have any HD lens professionally evaluated and checked out for a nominal sum and at minimal time turnaround.

Sure, there is no US warranty on such a lens, but manufacturer’s warranties are only for a year at most, then you have to deal with them on a retail level after that – and how many lenses have problems in the first year?. I can’t think of one lens I’ve had to get fixed on the first year warranty – any problems always occur on or after day 366. I prefer (with the notable exception of Ikegami service) to have small indie shops work on all of my equipment -cameras, lenses, vtr’s over manufacturers shops. It has been my 30-year professional video equipment owning experience that cost, service, and turnaround are all better at indie facilities – not to mention one-on-one personal service provided. Once the included warranty is up, I never go back to the manufacturer for service.

[Tony]

Bruce,

Even after the warranty expires the willingness of assistance from the manufacturer with temporary loaner equipment while the lens is being repaired becomes an issue with gray market equipment.

I have always received great support and loaners from Canon even after my warranty expired with products which were legimately purchased with the original USA warranty.

If one is willing to take a risk to save some money up front and has established relationships with independent repair facilities then the route you suggest may well be worth it for some.

Tony Salgado

Tony Salgado