Gray Market vs. US version Lens

[ml325]

Is there a difference (besides the warranty) between a gray market lens and a US version??

[DVWarrior]

None...it's like buying coke in the US or the UK.
Grays are made by Canon but due to the specific countries taxes, labour costs etc, dealers can get them cheaper.
The nonsence about Grays and warenty is outdated and should be addressed in the courts if Canon or anyone else make a lens and someone finds a cheap loop hole why should the end user suffer...it's the same lens made by Canon (Europe, far east etc, etc.)

We here in the UK have a better hold over companies like Canon because we are all in the EU marketplace.

[Thomas]

Here is a link provided by B&H:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh4.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=GetPage__Aindex_html___page=Gr eyMarketStatic.html___SID=F3218CC9580
This might answer some of your questions.

Regards,

Thomas

[redbutt]

DVWarrior wrote:
None...it's like buying coke in the US or the UK.


Not so fast there Warrior...that's only partially true. There are some products that DO have differences between the Grey and US versions. Don't just take it for granted they are the same. Places like B&H will give you the truth so ask them about the product first.

[DVWarrior]

OK ...in the UK if a lens is made by Canon I would expect it to fit and work on any Canon camea UK or USA if not ...I would inform a legal beagle.

[Hawkeye12]

OH my God!!!.......i agree with DVWarrior on this one now...........if you buy a gray market lense made by Canon in the US (not sure how it works in other countries) you will be getting the same lens you would if you bought the US model.
the differnce is not in the lens itself, but rather that you will not recieve a warranty honored by Canon (although they do at times) on the gray market version.
B&H will tell you up front that if you purchase the gray market version, that you will have to send it to them for warranty work.
here is where the disadvantage may or may not be, if B&H sends it to a repair shop other than Canon, they may or may not put the lens (or other acces.) back to 100% spec.

[DVWarrior]

HawkEye quote...

"OH my God!!!.......i agree with DVWarrior on this one now..........."

The nurse is on her way...sit tight.

[traveler]

I purchased all of my lenses (mostly L's) from Delta International. They ship around the world and often at prices that are the lowest available. One thing I can say about them is their customer service is simply the finest there is PERIOD. If you are unfortunate enough to get a duff lens it is replaced the next day. They also supply a 3 year 3rd party lens warranty FREE of charge with each lens L or not. In the U.S. Canon USA will repair it just as if it were not Grey for it's One Year Warranty period with just a sales receipt. I figure so far I saved about $1800 not buying U.S. product. Delta only sells Grey and that's just fine with me.............
www.deltainternational.com
(877)782-9840 in case you were wondering.........