AF-S 70-200mm f2.8E FL ED VR grey or not?

Been looking at some of these, is there any way to tell if its a grey market or not by the SN or any other way?

If the seller does not have the paperwork to prove it, why not give Nikon USA a call with the serial number(s) and ask them about the lens(es) in question?

Mark4583 l 1

The lenses distributed by Nikon USA will have “US” stamped next to the serial number. The three samples I just examined showed US in front of the serial number.

Grey market lenses to not show US next to the serial number, were not intended to sale in the US but never the less are the same product. Grey market Nikons do not have a Nikon USA warranty.

Good hunting.

2Oceans,

 

I know there are exceptions to that rule, but I do not not exactly which lenses lack a special US stamp even though they are imported by Nikon USA. Good to know the 70-200 E FL is on of the lenses that has the US stamp - or did you check three other lenses (assuming not all three where 70-200 E FLs)?

Nikon Camera Serial Numbers | DSLRBodies | Thom Hogan

On some Nikkor lenses, the ones for the US market indeed have the US prefix in the serial number, but that is not always the case. I have mostly Nikon USA lenses, and only some of them have that prefix.

 

If you are buying used, check with the seller to see whether they can produce the Nikon USA warranty slip.

 

It is unlikely that Nikon USA will verify whether a serial number is Nikon USA or not over the phone. Most likely you need to send the lens in.

Edited April 20, 2020 by ShunCheung

Heimbrandt

Sorry, the lenses I randomly checked were the 70-200 f2.8 G IF Vr II, the old 28-70 f2.8 AFS, and the 16-35mm f 4 VR. Additionally I checked the ancient 105 f2.8 D micro and a 17-35mm 2.8 AFS. All had US stamps. My 200-400 f4 AFS VR I that I purchased 11 years ago used does not have a US stamp though I never saw this lens listed as a grey market lens. I think this covers close to a 25 year time frame. I don’t own the magnificent best in class 70-200 f2.8 E FL so I can’t matter-of-factly say though I am sure you are right regarding exceptions to having US stamped next to the serial number. Many of my lenses are well past the warrantee. I don’t bother with Nikon after a point. No sense sending something in just to get a no answer. For cleaning, adjustment and repair well over 30 years I have good service and good things to say regarding Kurts Camera in California, KEH in Georgia and Photo Tech / Chrysler Camera Repair in NYC. I have not had many grey market lenses if any serviced but I do not think that these companies will turn them away. I had the AF motors replaced in my 200-400mm f4 2 years ago by Photo Tech in NYC. Good communication throughout the process. Not cheep but I think I can get another 10 years out of it with my current SLRs. “So I have that going for me which is nice.” All-in-all if the lens is well priced especially the 70-200 f.8 E FL I would give it a go even if it were grey market but how to tell I don’t know because the US stamp is specific but apparently as you mentioned earlier not sensitive. As well I can’t convince myself to upgrade in this focal range for a DSLR but look forward doing so as I transition into mirrorless. Hopefully the newly released 70-200 for the Nikon Z system will be as good as the current 70-200 f2.8 E FL for Nikon DSLRs. I am optimistic. Good hunting.

I heard some where that Nikon can't identify whether the lens is US or gray by the serial number alone.