another dumb ?

[rebel61021]

what is the difference in an import and an USA lens I am lens shopping at B&H and have noticed that they have the same lens and the difference is price between the two. Was sondering what else is different?

[Dchemist]

As I understand it, the USA lens carries a Canon USA warranty (Canon USA service will provide warranty service and repairs), an imported lens (grey market) carries a B&H warranty (you have to return the product to B&H for service as Canon USA will not provide service for it). Otherwise the actual product is identical. There is some info on the B&H website:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...arketStatic.jsp

[tim]

If you have a bit of a search this topic's covered in a few different threads. In summary, if you live in the US it's easiest if you get the USA version, it makes warranty service easier, but if it's a lot cheaper you don't lose anything going import, it might just be a little more hastle to get repairs.

[Bob_A]

I heard others mention that sometimes the import won't have English manuals. You could always email B&H to confirm if this is the case prior to ordering. By the way, Canon has a lot of their manuals available on-line.


Bob

[robertwgross]

Often, the "import version" product comes with a manual in several different languages, including English. If it comes with no manual at all, perhaps it needs no manual.

---Bob Gross---

[tim]

They're almost always identical products, from the same factory, they just make it to you via different places. I always buy imports since there's no advantage buying the USA made ones if you're out of the states.

[wolf]

Grey Market (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist.jsp&A=getpage&Q=GreyMarketStatic.jsp) information.