usa vs imported: how to tell. going to BH tomorrow

I'm going to pick up the 70-200 F/4 L tomorrow and on the website there is no distinction between the 2 lens except for the price. I want to get the USA version when I'm there but how can I tell from the box they give me if I'm getting the USA version or just paying the USA price for an import lens?

last time i was there i got the nifty 50 and the sales man didn't really assure me to well that i got the usa one, but it was 70 bucks so i let it go. this is considerably more.

If it has the US card inside then its US.. If it's in another language it isn't. Open it up right there to check

Edit: Doesn't B&H place their own guarantee on Imports anyway?

Given the reputation that they have on this site as a place to shop and how willing they are online and in catalogue to state what is import I don't think they will be selling you an import as a usa version.

'Canon USA'/'Canon Canada' is on a legimate Canon lens with normal USA warranty.

I just recieved my 300mm f4 L from B&H and I ordered the import version. I don't see how you can tell the difference. There is nothing on the lens to indicate it and everything on the lens is in english. The instruction manual is multilingual like everything these day's. There is no actual canon warranty card... The reciept is the warranty card since the reciept has the serial number printed right on it. I'm not the least bit concerned. B&H has a great reputation. They had it shipped to me in two day's.. UPS is good in that regard too!

Henry

Since all canon lens come with international warranty i would be buying the listed import to save a couple of quid (bucks). I see no value in buying a USA marked lens over an import.
Just my tuppence (2cents) worth

sm1rf, With US warranties you can walk into a Canon authorized service center with your product (located through out the country). With imports you have to send (or take) it to B&H and have them work with the service center.

HWP wrote in post #3691470
There is no actual canon warranty card... The reciept is the warranty card since the reciept has the serial number printed right on it. I'm not the least bit concerned. B&H has a great reputation. They had it shipped to me in two day's.. UPS is good in that regard too!

Henry

There you go, no USA/Canada warranty card therefor it is an import which I understand is only warranty-able through the vendor.

Warranty card, only way. The item is exactly the same.

bonefish wrote in post #3688360
Given the reputation that they have on this site as a place to shop and how willing they are online and in catalogue to state what is import I don't think they will be selling you an import as a usa version.

My thoughts exactly. They don't seem to be a shady back alley dealership.

sm1rf wrote in post #3691490
Since all canon lens come with international warranty i would be buying the listed import to save a couple of quid (bucks). I see no value in buying a USA marked lens over an import.
Just my tuppence (2cents) worth

Thanks for the translation

Also I've heard people have sent their imports directly to Canon and they have been repaired without question.

Really though.. what is the warranty rate on lenses? Seems like a pretty good gamble if the only difference is I send it to B&H for warranty... and what's the chance of that? Besides I've thrown many warranty cards away. I just save reciepts and not worry.

HWP wrote in post #3692436
Thanks for the translation

Also I've heard people have sent their imports directly to Canon and they have been repaired without question.

Really though.. what is the warranty rate on lenses? Seems like a pretty good gamble if the only difference is I send it to B&H for warranty... and what's the chance of that? Besides I've thrown many warranty cards away. I just save reciepts and not worry.

According to the Canon Warranty card, you will need to send that and the receipt in order to get warranty service. I've also heard of people getting serviced with no hassle for import items, however, if Canon decides to be a stickler about it you are SOL and for what? $20? I can't see why I wouldn't spend the extra $20 to get the extra piece of mind. If you send anything back to Canon it will cost you that much in shipping it alone.

HWP wrote in post #3692436
Thanks for the translation

Also I've heard people have sent their imports directly to Canon and they have been repaired without question.

Really though.. what is the warranty rate on lenses? Seems like a pretty good gamble if the only difference is I send it to B&H for warranty... and what's the chance of that? Besides I've thrown many warranty cards away. I just save reciepts and not worry.

I usually loose track or just toss warranty cards away of lesser value items once I have made sure they worked. However, on my new 70-200L IS I tucked the receipt and warranty card in a safe spot.

The reciept is tucked away. The odds are in my favor and, so far, for everything I've bought that has been true. If the odds go against me on this lens during the warranty period then back to B&H it goes.

Anyway as far as the lens in general... It is one fine piece of equipment. Of course it's spotless. The carrying case is really nice high quality. I just mounted it to the camera and the autofocus is smooth and fast and the IS makes the same little "whirring" noise that my 28-135 IS makes... so I know it's working. I hope to get out and do some shooting with it this evening. Should be fun.

Henry

I think it needs emphasising that, whatever version you buy, the actual lens is exactly the same.