I really want a Canon 100-400 L

B&H generally sells both grey market as well as USA items. The grey market items are labeled as "Imported" the USA items as "USA", both have links explaining what they are. They leave the choice as to which you would like up to you; they are happy to sell you either.

I bought my 100-400L from B&H. No problems at all.
I have never had any problems with B&H.

1. As to the lens....I love mine (both of them). The range is extremely useful for my railroad photography; trains don't stand still. It's not quite as sharp as my 300mmm f4.0 or 400 f5.6, but it is still excellent. Nearly all of my favorite shots have been done with that lens.

2. B&H (and to a lesser degree Adorama) is without question the big dog of camera equipment. They are big, impersonal, generally efficient, with the best prices and inventory. Their success has been a magnet for the worst of the breed (the crooked dealers who tend to make us skeptical of dealing with all NY-area resellers).

3. I'm waiting for a definitive statement (from someone in a position to issue such opinions) as to what the ramifications are of buying grey-market merchandise that may someday require warranty repairs. I've heard several conflicting opinions, and frankly admit to being very confused on the subject. Usually the price differential on a single item is small enough that it's hard to justify buying 'grey', but over time, it would certainly add up.

RFMSports - What shutter speed and focus mode did you use for that Indy Car panning shot ?

I have bought a couple of grey "L" lenses from B&H. I am not worried at all. From what I have read the last few years, the general consensus is you will be hard pressed to get Nikon to fix anything that is grey market, while you will have virtually no trouble getting Canon to fix or service grey market items.

Actually that is a ChampCar, not an indy car. Anyway, the shutter was 1/250 and focus mode was AI Servo.

hehe of course it is - Not thinking for a moment.
Thanks for the info

Common error these days with the split. Normally I shoot about 1/500-1/1500.

Yeah, my concern was warranty work, too....on grey market. When you get into the L lenses, I really dont care to eat a $1000++ lense if it develops a problem. But, someone told me that Canon is starting to relax on the import pieces, as far as honoring warranty work. Hope they would fix it.

Steve