grey market 550EX and 420EX?

[dgoodfellow]

Has anyone had any experience with grey market 550EX and or 420 EX speedlights?

I'm thinking of placing an order with B&H for one of each to do wireless portable studio lighting from my G3.

Are there any diffences between these units and the non grey market units other than warrenty coverage?

Anyone have good or bad buying experiences with B&H?

Thanks

David

[justme_dc]

The Warranty is the only difference. Contrary to popular urban myth, Canon doesn't have a special plant that they produce 2nd rate products at for 3rd world sale. B&H sells these products for less because they can get them at lower cost without the canon warranty. It's that whole "direct import" thing they talk about on their site. I know B&H sells those flashes with a B&H 1 year warranty but having had no experience with their warranty dept I can't say how good it is.
The question is, is it worth $30 on the 550EX and $22 on the 420EX to not get the Canon warranty?

That is a decision you'll have to make.... Good luck to you.

p.s. Did you check out the package that they have with the 2 550EXs and the ST-E2 for $799.95? that would be a sweet set up!

[dgoodfellow]

justme_dc wrote:

p.s. Did you check out the package that they have with the 2 550EXs and the ST-E2 for $799.95? that would be a sweet set up!

that would be a sweet set up. but the price is still too steep for me.

on the B&H site I can get a greymarket 550EX and 420EX for a total of $464.90 I figure that set up should present plenty of lighting options. Using the 550EX as a master and the 420EX as a slave.

[raymond_anthony]

you can get the 550 for 319 thru buydig.com That place is very reputable!

[raymond_anthony]

you can get the 550 for 319 thru buydig.com That place is very reputable!

[UK_Terry]

justme_dc wrote:
Canon doesn't have a special plant that they produce 2nd rate products at for 3rd world sale.

I totally agree, and would also suggest that as they are coming from a 1st class supplier (B & H) then you should have no worries.

do you think that my 10D is any different than one for sale in the shops in the U.S.?

I don't think so.

I have bought CF cards from the US (because they were cheaper) are they better or inferior to the same Sandisk CF cards on sale over here?

again I don't think so.

Go and buy your 550 & 420 and enjoy....i am sure Canon do not expect them to fall apart because you paid less for them.

[elm54]

I live in NY and deal with B&H . I have nothing but good experience with them. They always have what they say they have, for the price they say. And From what I hear from others. They stand behind all their merchandise. I would buy anything from them worry free.

Peace Eric

[brunz]

Go for it. B&H is one fantastic outfit and I always buy grey stuff. Never had a bad experience. They are probably the most reputable camera store in the world and I order just about everything from them.They aren't always the cheapest but they are reputable and feel confident about dealing with them. I also like Camera World of Oregon and Adorama.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Ditto with B&H

Myself and three aquaintances all swear by them. I also hear good things about Adorama mostly but a close freind hates them and will only deal with B&H.

Camera world is part of the "Ritz, Hunts, etc" chain All the same prices and products online. I have also had good dealing with Ritz, Huntz,. etc.

[henkbos]

Grey market is a term invented to scare off consumers like us, who know to get a good deal elsewhere. I'm an expat living abroad, so everything I buy will be grey at some point in time. Never bothered me and never had a problem.

[Longwatcher]

Adding my two bits,
I purchased two 550EX from B&H at the same time.
One was US, one was import (Grey market). The only difference was the US one came with a warranty card.

All labels, manuals, operations were identical.

[fredlord]

I purchased a Canon 1.4x TC II from B&H last fall and decided to try the grey market version even though it was only $10US cheaper. It was a sort of experiment for me. What I got was a normal US warranty TC. It would seem that they had no grey market versions when I ordered or, perhaps, for a mere $10US they made no distinction between them.

I'm not saying you will get a US warranty lens or flash for the grey market price. I'm sure they're much more discriminating about the expensive items. I've never had a reputable brand flash go bad but then I didn't use them as much as you may.