Imported version from B&H

[OviV]

Does anyone here buy imported versions of lenses from B&H? I just bought a 17-40L and the imported version was only $10 less so I bought USA version. I know they are the same but does the imported version have a warranty at all? If not, would you take the risk to save a few bucks?

Ovi

[sid]

B&H offers the same warranty that Canon does. So, if there are warranty issues you send the item to them instead of Canon.

[DSMITH131]

yep and then B&H sends it to canon which there adds one extra week then when canon gets it warranty work takes preference over the non-warranty import work so there is a big difference in turn around time so is it worth saving $10 or so not to me

[pcasciola]

For $10 on a $700 lens it doesn't seem worth it, but for some lenses it's a much bigger difference, like the Canon 200/2.8L which is $40 less for the same priced lens.

[robertwgross]

I've made that decision a number of times, the US version versus the Imported version.

Basically, I try to make a judgment call about the relative reliability of a product. If it is something like a plain lens, then I figure it is moderately reliable and will not require any support. As a result, I would probably go for the price. If it is something a little more complex, or something very new on the market and subject to problems of infancy, such as a new camera body, then I am more inclined to go with the smoother warranty.

If it is something like a BP-511 battery, then that is a throw-away item, so warranties are more trouble than the battery is worth.

But that is just me.

---Bob Gross---

[dhbailey]

I agree that each user needs to weigh the pros and cons -- the cons really aren't that great, since B&H is such a reliable company.

For $10 or $20 I wouldn't buy the import version, but when the savings gets larger I would definitely think about the imorted version. I've bought several imported versions and they work fantastically.