B&H Import vs USA

B&H has $70 difference on the Canon 10-22mm depending on USA or Import. The import is cheaper but I worry about the lack of manufacturer warranty.

Anyone have any experience with this? Should I be worried?

10 or so years ago when a lens was just a lens and either it worked out of the box - and then worked forever- or it was defective and you immediately sent it back, I bought a couple of grey market lenses without a second thought.

Now with all the buttons, switches, micro connecting points and internal electronics, motors, etc.- I never would. Way too many things to go wrong. It is just not worth the 5 or 10 percent. To me.

I just bought the gray market 10-22 lens from B&H this week. Got it yesterday and it's going to rain the entire weekend :-( I spoke with the rep from B&H and they provide an equivalent warranty for the lens. You just ship it to B&H instead of a Canon service center. The lens arrived new in the box - I would have no idea it was gray market with the exception that there is no warranty card with it. The lens feels great. I've taken a few shots inside my house. I can't wait to get outside for some landscapes.

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-Bill

http://www.flickr.com/photos/billsphotos/

I am going to buy 10-22 too. However, I saw it on amazon $720 last two weeks. But a price came up recently to $770. Do you have any idea when will it be at $720 again. Moreover, I am considering canon 17-55 but it's out of stock now both B&H and amazon.
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Ton

A few years ago I had the impression that Japan had the highest quality requirements for their domestic customers. The oversea quality requirements could be relaxed. USA is the most demanding for the price, but not for the quality.

BillsLIPhotos said:

I just bought the gray market 10-22 lens from B&H this week. Got it yesterday and it's going to rain the entire weekend :-( I spoke with the rep from B&H and they provide an equivalent warranty for the lens. You just ship it to B&H instead of a Canon service center. The lens arrived new in the box - I would have no idea it was gray market with the exception that there is no warranty card with it. The lens feels great. I've taken a few shots inside my house. I can't wait to get outside for some landscapes.

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Thank you. Much appreciated.

Einst Stein said:

A few years ago I had the impression that Japan had the highest quality requirements for their domestic customers. The oversea quality requirements could be relaxed. USA is the most demanding for the price, but not for the quality.

Click to expand...

Respectfully, this is incorrect. Lenses roll off assembly lines one after another and don't get US-warranted or "grey market" status until later in the distribution channel. Two identical lenses, differing only that one's US-warranted and the other's "grey market," will be entirely identical in every aspect of manufacture, components, performance etc. The only differences are price, rebate eligibility and warranty.

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Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

Henry, thanks for jumping in and clarifying.

Without it, this thread might go up a few endless "rabbit trails"
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Steve Dell
Tucson AZ
http://www.stevedellphotography.com

I bought the 10-22, the 50 1.4, and the 85 1.8 from B&H all grey market. I was slightly leary as well, but I trust that B&H will honor their equivalent warranty if it ever comes to it. I've had nothing but good experiences with them in the past. When the lenses arrived, they were all as expected, brand new, wrapped and packaged in identical manufacturer's boxes with instuctions and inserts. There was absolutely no difference at all. They're all 3 working great for me as well and I'm glad I took the plunge. I'm looking forward to using that 10-22 this April once the bluebonnets take over here in Texas. Good luck to you!
Matt
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My Photos:
http://logan5tx.smugmug.com/