save $1000 and buy grey lenses or buy locally?

[michael_]

I put it to all here from australia is there a risk in purchasing grey imported lenses and saving $1000 over 3 lenses in total? or the extra money is worth the security? The online store selling the imports says they are covered by Canon Australia Warranty i just dont want to spend close to $6,000 on lenses if i may run in to issues down the track.

Any advise would be great

Cheers
Michael

[nation]

I'm not in Australia but typically Canon grey imports aren't covered by Canon anywhere around the globe. By that I mean you can't make a warranty claim with Canon directly, your only option is to send it to the retailer if something goes wrong with your lens.

Having said that once you buy a lens you'll do your field and at home lens testing immediately to ensure it's a good copy. If it is, and you treat the lens well, chances are unlikely that warranty problems will crop up within a year of purchase. If it's a poor copy then send it back to the retailer. You just need to ensure the retailer you're buying from is reputable and not one to kick up a stink if the lens turns out bad.

[michael_]

i should have been abit clearer, the online company is an australian company who import their lenses then sell them locally as opposed to purchasing off a retailer who purchases directly from canon australia, anyway i spoke to canon aus this monring and aslong as the company is an australian owned/based/operated company they will honour the warranty so its all cool.

[Briancd]

Sound good. Who is the company you are buying from?

[michael_]

wow Brian i just sent some things (today) to someone from Sanctuary Point.

Discount Digital Photographics ( http://www.d-d-photographics.com/ ) and Camerastore ( http://www.camerastore.com.au/ )

[Steve in bris]

Michael i brought a lens from d-d photographics and had no problems. It arrived on time and the lens is a good copy (i am in Brisbane). For me it doesn't concern me about getting imported lenses. As has been said just do the testing and send it back if there are problems. I would not hesitate in buying fom d-d photographics again.

Put the additional money you save to something else.

Regards

Steve

[michael_]

thanks for the feedback Steve

[Thornfield]

It would pay to be cautious. Here in NZ we had some grey imports which were not the real thing. Canon DSLR being one of them. Very good copies apparently even down to the serial numbers The packaging gave it away. As usual it's buyer beware. Find at least some feedback that looks legit.

[Steve in bris]

Michael

I forgot to say. try these guys. I have not brought through these people but they have some good deals. http://www.printercartridges.com.au/

have a look through their website and see what you think.

Regards

steve

[twisted pixels]

Cider.
I bought a 70-200 2.8 L lens from discount digital. I went down to pick it up and he had no problem with me trying it before I paid. (just a few quick shots to make sure everything worked) I also rang Canon and checked with them prior to buying and they confirmed all L lenses have world wide warranty. You have to have a receipt from the company of course. I will be buying my next L real soon.

[michael_]

Hey Steve, funny how that sites prices are either $1 less than DDP or $10 less

Thanks twisted, my only issue with DDP is Glenns phone manner he seems a tad rude but no reports of bad products and i guess at the end of the day aslong as you get the best price and the right product thats what counts.

[twisted pixels]

Hey Cider.
I agree on the phone manner.
I can understand that running a business these days is quite stressfull, also dealing with the public can be quite trying. So with all that in mind some people just deal with it better than others. Might mention it to him next lens I purchase. Constructive criticism sometimes does not go astray.

[sarumann]

Michael,
I have bought from Discount Digital Photographics as well. I also did the homework and asked about the warranty (Grey L series lenses are all covered) so was not concerned. My lens was good, they were quick to deal with and all in all it was quite painless and much cheaper.

Mark

[michael_]

yeah im suprised at how much cheaper he is, ialso get canon staff discount and well lets just say for 80% of the products he is alot cheaper, my 30D body and 17-40L are the only things i purchased through canon.

[Davoxt]

I brought my 350d and a canon 17-85mm lenes from Hong Kong company "Digital-rev-oz" works perfectly.
Just brought canon 10-22mm lens from "Keaphoto-oz" Hong Kong again.
Both companys sell a lot of camera gear and have near 100% positive feed back.