Gray Market

[FDCPR]

As some of you know, I've been waiting a long time for a lens to become available. Now it is available in the imported version but I am hesitant to purchase because of the warranty issues. Difference between gray market and domestic is only $50, but a huge difference in warranty. Gray market is one year B&H, while domestic is five years. An extended warranty is available but is significantly more that the 50 difference.

I've been looking for many months for this lens, but don't know whether this is worth the risk or not. What do you guys think?

There is no indication when the domestic lens will be available, and it's been out of stock for a very long time everywhere. It's not really relevant to my question, but I know someone will ask what is the lens; so, it's the Nikon 600mm f/4 VRII.

My other option is to jump ship to the white side as those lens are available, but I've been shooting Nikon for many years and don't really like the feel of the competition.

[autofocus]

Fred, I suppose it's the luck of the draw...I also went with a grey market lens for the same reason..just couldn't get the US warranty version at the time. It happened to be a very well reviewed medium zoom 18 - 70 lens from Nikon, and therefore very much in demand. I took a chance and went with it, and so far (2 years) it's performed flawlessly for us. It's been our general purpose lens for my wife's photography business, and gets a lot of use. This may, or may not help in your decision, and I can appreciate your concern. Not that it has to matter, but we bought from B&H.

Vinnie

[zona5101]

We're talking a really big expensive lens and if it every needed calibration Nikon USA won't touch the gray market even if you paid them -so i've read as I (knock on wood) haven't had to have any of my Nikon gear serviced.

[FDCPR]

Thanks guys, the only good point to these lens is that they are available. Zona, you bring up a point I didn't realize. I had thought that if there was a problem, Nikon would make repairs but charge to do the work. If they won't touch these lens then that is a deciding factor. I'll try calling Nikon and see what their official stance is on repairs.
This is a significant purchase and I'm just frustrated with all the waiting. It seems that since they sold out everywhere quickly they would be manufactured quicker to meet the demand. I know of several people waiting on availability of this lens.

[Wolfie]

I can understand your very real concern.....Can you add this lense to your home insurance and claim if it was accidentally broken....stolen from car...dropped etc...I have my laptops..cameras...ipods etc covered in that way ....gives me extra piece of mind.

[GadgetRick]

I guess the more important question is, how often do lenses have problems after a year? I really don't know but I don't read of a lot of problems with lenses--especially Nikon or Canon. So it may not even be an issue.

Are you using the lens to shoot and earn with? If so, you'll surely recover the cost of the lens in a year so it won't owe you anything.

I've bought many things this way over the years (non-camera stuff) and have never had an issue.

[OsmosisStudios]

$50 more for a non-gray market?

That's a no brainer.

[FDCPR]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

$50 more for a non-gray market?

That's a no brainer.

It's a no brainer if it was available, but it's been over ten months of trying to get this lens. Although I do need it for some projects I'm working on, I'll wait for it to be available.

[WalterP]

Depending on the nature and time frame of "the projects" you might want to check with the local shops and see if you can rent the needed lens and the cost. If you are like most of us there is one lens in the bag that gets 95% of the use and the rest...

[FDCPR]

I had considered renting this lens, but a friend loaded me one for a while some time back. Now he is using it constantly and I feel bad asking to use it again. My problem is that once I get this lens it will be permanently mounted to a body and used daily, so borrowing or renting is not really an option. I am very close to switching systems, for a few dollars more I can be in a Canon full frame and long lens in a few days. I just don't like the feel of those cameras and it will mean new flashes will have to be purchased and I will no longer be able to share with my friends.
I just wish I could get a straight answer on when these will be available again.