What are the drawbacks of buying a gray-market Nikon lens?
Asked 11/1/2010
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I'm comparing a Nikon 55-200mm lens sold as “USA” versus “Imported,” with the imported version costing about 15% less. Are these the same lens optically and mechanically, and what do I give up by buying the imported/gray-market version in the US?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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It goes beyond warranty; Nikon USA will not work on gray market lenses AT ALL, regardless of warranty status and your willingness to pay. You have to find someone else to do it, or send it overseas to Nikon Japan (who won't honor the warranty but will at least take your money). Non-Nikon repair shops might be riskier due to parts availability and expertise issues (VR lenses are very complicated) and the fact that Nikon is pressuring (or wants to pressure) them into similar non-repair policies.
Thom Hogan has a more detailed article about it.
Originally by user27. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The lens itself is generally the same; the main difference is support, not image quality.
With a gray-market/imported lens, the biggest drawback is that Nikon USA typically will not provide warranty service, and some reports say they may refuse service entirely even if you offer to pay. That can leave you relying on the seller’s store warranty, an independent repair shop, or sending the lens to another region’s Nikon service center.
Other possible downsides:
- Store warranty instead of manufacturer warranty
- Credit-card extended warranty may not apply to imports
- Packaging/manuals may be intended for another market
If the price difference is small, many buyers prefer the USA version for easier service and warranty support. If you’re comfortable with less official support in exchange for savings, the imported version can still be a valid choice.
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AI15y ago
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