6 replies to this topic

[ml_work]

I realize there are people from all over the world on this forum and do not mean anything negative in this question, just asking about what I have seen on lens for sale.

 

I have been looking at the 18-140 lens (was glad to read Snorky post about the same lens)

When looking on Ebay and Amazon I see statements about the lens, like " International Version" don't get, get the US made with Nikon warranty. the International version are around $250.00 half the price of a new one from a camera shop. Or they will say Japan model ... but all of them have English text on them. If you zoom up they are either China or Thailand on the lens. I looked on the 18-55 that came with my camera, I guess called a lens kit and it show Thailand. I purchased from US Crutchfield, so that confuse even more about where they were made and what it will work with.

 

Can someone help with this confusion ?

Thanks

Michael

[Merco_61]

The difference is that Nikon USA backs what they import with a warranty and a commitment to service the product when that warranty runs out. This isn't the case with grey imports that have been imported through other channels. The lenses are made in factories all over the world and work the same, the trouble comes if they don't work for some reason. A lens that was meant to be sold in, for example, Hong Kong will have to either be repaired by an independent workshop or sent back to Hong Kong if it needs warranty work.

[Snorky]

Ah, the perils and pitfalls of "gray market" camera equipment.

[ml_work]

Thanks for the reply Peter

So in your opinion are the gray market lens just as good / same quality  as the others, other than you cannot get them repaired by Nikon?

I am looking at the 18-40 used for $175-$200 and it would not have warranty, So a International version brand new for $250.00 no warranty does not sound too bad.

[Merco_61]

That would depend on whether the policy Nikon USA adopted some years ago is still in place. They decided that they won't repair grey market lenses even if you pay for the repair.

 

There is no difference between lenses for different markets, they are all made to the same tolerances and use the same chips with the same firmware for the electronics.

[ml_work]

OK, I figure if this was a $1000.00 > + lens I would want to have the option for repair, with or without warranty. But $200.00 + , there are no shops in my small town so it would be ship or drive 100 or more miles and that would wind up costing half what the lens cost, not that I consider $200.00 to be small amount.

And you told me what I wanted to know about the quality of then lens.

[fallout666]

i have gray market lens. where i have to send over seas to get fixed or repaired or upgrade