50mm f/1.8 MKII... USA or Imported?

[KevC]

The 'USA' one is $5 more. I can't believe I'm starting a thread over $5, but it's $5 in my pocket lol. Do you guys have the USA or Imported one? Is the imported one made in China? Are they both equally as flimsy, or the Imported one even more so? Thoughts?

[Andy_T]

It is the exact same lens from most likely the same factory.
However, the 'USA' version comes with a valid Canon US guarantee, while the 'International' has been re-imported from some other country and has only the seller's warranty.

Best regards,
Andy

[pierrot]

What the hell do you call "USA" or "imported" ? :D

All Canon lenses are manufactured in Japan, Taïwan (most) or Malaysia. Not the smallest one is made in the USA.


Check at http://www.canon.com/environment/eco2004e/p63.html

[pcasciola]

What the hell do you call "USA" or "imported" ? :D

All Canon lenses are manufactured in Japan, Taïwan (most) or Malaysia. Not the smallest one is made in the USA.


This happens every time someone mentions USA or imported.

It relates to the warranty, and many companies here in the U.S. refer to them in this way, especially the larger places like B&H (In fact, these are the exact words they use). If you buy one with the "import" warranty which was not specifically manufactured for export to the U.S., they are called imported or gray-market lenses here, and are generally about 3 - 5% cheaper.

[pierrot]

Oh. For my level of understanding, "grey" market is (at least in Europe) made of products illegally imported (by private importers, not by the manufacturer itself) without paying import duties nor VAT ; therefore, no manufacturer guarantee apply AT ALL but prices are WAY lower (20%-25% less) than list prices. ;-)

[KevC]

Ah. Cool. As you could tell from my first post, I had no idea. Anyway, I'm shipping it into Canada... so there's no point getting the USA one eh? USA warrnaty doesn't even cover..?

[Penguin_101_1]

I buy import, I read Canon will still honor warrenty with a invoice.