Gray Market

Has anyone experience with a gray market (imported) camera purchase?

Isn't the camera the exact same product, just designated for sale in another country? A USA warranty being the only difference?

Selling my Canon 1D Mark III for the MIV upgrade soon, so any comments sincerely appreciated.

Howard

As far as I know the only difference is that there is no US warranty, and if you are willing to take the chance that you won't ever need warranty repair it's probably worth the few hundred or so in savings.

That's my understanding. Warranty repairs have to be shipped overseas, and repairs in the US (even of warranted problems) are on your own nickle. I've bought gray market lenses because I don't expect warranty issues, but have always hesitated to buy gray market bodies. In my experience lens repair is usually the result of my own non-warranted abuse, while some body issues aren't necessarily my fault.

No difference other than the price and the warranty.
I've nevber had any trouble that would have been covered under warranty anyway.
Also, for those interested, KEH.com has an excellent repair dept now, and they wanted only 3/4 the Nikon place wanted to repair some bear damage to my D300s.
Bears are snoopy, curious crittters... .


Sandy r

I wont buy a camera in the gray market, but for the lenses, no prob at all

Not having any experience with grey market, I'd like to know --- do they come with literature in English and American power chords?

I've spent a little time in the Far East and looked for some bargains, but, sadly, it wasn't worth it to me because of these two items.

I bought a grey market 500 F4 (Canon) from B&H about 6 years ago. The lens performed flawlessly. However, B&H provided the equivalent of the same warranty that Canon provided, so there was little risk. I believe Hunts and others provide this same service.

I have read, but do not know first hand, that contrary to Canon who will re[air out of warranty items even if bought as grey market, that Nikon will not repair grey market items even if you pay. Check out this statement before making a final decision.

Nikon USA refused to service a gray market D2x body at all (no option to pay for the repair and I had to search far and wide for an alternative repair source).

Wow, what a great response!
Very helpful - THANK YOU ALL!!!

Also, for those interested, KEH.com has an excellent repair dept now, and they wanted only 3/4 the Nikon place wanted to repair some bear damage to my D300s.
Bears are snoopy, curious crittters... .

Thanks Sandy! That's good to know, since I've always had a very high regard for the folks at KEH.

One point not raised, we have "all losses" insurance coverage on our gear. Anything not covered by warranty is picked up on insurance.

And yeah.... How 'bout dem bears!