Grey market lens

Rose

I was looking on the B&H site and noticed the same lens listed as either USA or Imported (Grey market). The items are identical and I read the definition of Grey market. Should Grey market be avoided? Looks like the main difference is warranty. Any recommendations? Thanks!

Neil vN

The difference comes in that Nikon USA (according to general rumor) doesn't repair gray market equipment. So it's a warranty thing.

But there are other Nikon repair services available, for example:

http://www.nikoncamerarepair.com/

Authorized Photo Service 8125 N River Drive. Suite 100, Morton Grove, IL 6005

Tel 800-406-2046 / 847-966-4091 /Fax 847-966-4101
Hours: Mon -Fri 8:30am-5:15pm, Sat 9:00am-1:00pm

Stephen

Authorized Photo Service (APS) is very good. There is somebody on the phone for customer service, and their repairs are generally speedy. They have a 6-month workmanship warranty on their repairs. I just recently sent some equipment to them a second time, and it was covered under their workmanship warranty. May you never have a problem with your equipment, but if you do, APS is worth investigating.

Visanic

If I'm not mistaken, B&H repairs grey mkt lenses as well, although I've never dealt with them.

Trev

B&H covers warranty on grey products, you send it back to them.

"About USA and GREY MARKET (DIRECT IMPORT) Products

Items marked "USA" are imported and/or distributed by the manufacturer or the manufacturer's official licensed importer/distributor and are warranted by them. Items marked "IMP" are imported and/or distributed by other entities and are warranted by B&H Photo-Video. "IMP" products do not qualify for manufacturer's rebate programs. There is no difference in the item itself."

More info here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/USGrey.jsp

Trev

Neil vN

I should have mentioned that B&H do cover the warranty.
It is the out of warranty repairs that would most likely need a different repair service than Nikon USA. (Hence the links)