USA, Import, Grey Market??

[tweetykl]

I am looking at sites thinking about purchasing Canon 50 mm EF f/1.4 USM Lens and see USA, Import, and Grey Market. USA of course is the most expensive. What do these mean?

What site do you like to purchase your camera equipment from? This is my first major purchase since buying the camera so I would love help.

[peeperita]

i had to visit wikipedia to understand what grey market meant....

a few years ago when my husband gifted me with my camera, i ended up with no manual to go with it......when i contacted canon by phone, we had to go through a few motions to find out if i had a US camera or not.....as canon would not provide support to me if it wasn't.....i would assume that's the case with the grey market as well.....

no support, no warranty to me if it wasn't a US purchase.....and with the expense involved, i would want them both.....

peeper

[acedrew]

Have you checked the Sigma 50mm 1.4? It performs better than the Canon at the wide end, and has better build quality. The one negative is that it's heavier than the canon, check it out. I always buy US on that crap, and a good thing too, my Canon 100-400mm L series was bad from the factory, I would have been SOL with the gray market version.

Andrew Rodgers
Perfected Perspectives -- Photography by Andrew Rodgers | Andrew Rodgers (acedrew) on Twitter | Login | Facebook

[PowerPix]

1. B&H Photo
2. USA

[PhotogChic]

I recently bought my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM from Adorama. It took quite a bit longer to get it than when I ordered from B&H. The packaging was awesome and my lens is perfect!

I prefer B&H but Adorama is also quite reputable if the item you need is out of stock at B&H (or they take a holiday...which they do quite often). If you live in the US, buy the US. If you live elsewhere buy the Gray Market. It's my understanding that the gray market lenses are for other countries.

[anthonyjstewart]

I quite happily bought a Canon 5D2 on Ebay last January from Tokyo. I registered it on the Canon USA web site and even sent it away for a slight repair. I had no issues.

As for the manual, who cares. You can buy one for $10 or download one from the internet.

Make sure you buy from a reputable dealer though where possible. If in doubt buy locally.

[inkista]

Here. B&H has a great explanation of the difference as it applies to their merchandise.

B&H Photo Video U.S. & Grey Market Items

Adorama's is here: http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?o...20Information:

It basically boils down to warranties and rebates. If you get a grey market camera/lens from B&H/Adorama, you only have a warranty through B&H/Adorama, not the camera manufacturer, and they only cover for one year max. (not as big a deal for Canonites who only get one year anyway, but more of a rip for Nikonians who get five years on their lenses).