85mm/f1.4 AF-D - Grey market up-date

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00MsoI

 

ok,

 

went for it, got a 85mm 1.4D AF lens Gray Market, first ever gray market ANYTHING..

 

I couldn't be any happier, the lens is Made in Japan, and just like a US model,

AWESOME.

 

doubt I'll ever regret buying this lens, gray market or not..

 

from now on I'll see gray market stuff with different eyes..;)

 

 

here is the fist picture I took with this lens on my D2X @ f:1.4

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc112/Juanjo_Viagran/Nikolas/_D242423-1.jpg?t=1192739890

Does your new 85mm/f1.4 have the same "flaw" as that in this thread?

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00MyoS

The ONLY difference between US and Grey Market/Parallel imported gear is that US gear is imported, sold, warranted and serviced by Nikon USA. They all come from the same factory.

<i>"... the lens is Made in Japan, and just like a US model"</i><P>

Not at all surprising, since it is the <b>EXACT SAME</b> lens, made in the exact same factory, on the same assembly line, by the same technicians, with the same components (maybe on the same day). ;-)<P>

The difference is that it wasn't imported into the USA by Nikon USA. That's the ONLY difference (aside from packaging, warranty documents / coverage) between the grey market and "USA" models.

I bought mine used no warrantee so its not any difference if I were to want it fixed in USA I would have to pay for the repair.

Harvey, the only difference is that if your is USA and need service Nikon USA will repair it, if mine brake (fingers Xed) Nikon USA will refuse to fix, and I'll have to send it elsewhere...

 

Anyway, highly doubt this lens will ever need service (again, fingers Xed)

More complicated lenses, like VR lenses and AF-S lenses, that are harder to fix and get parts, should be purchased as USA version.

 

This AF lens is pretty simple, yet wonderful. It could possible be fixed in many places, and no need to go to Nikon. So, I do not think you should loose any sleep about getting gray market of this lens.

Hmmm, interesting decision.

 

At B&H, the USA model is $1025; the Gray Market is $930 -- that is a $95 difference -- seems like such a small difference to opt for the cheaper lens.

 

Granted they all come from the same assembly line, and granted it is a simpler lens design (compared to VR), but there is NO assembly line in the world that has a 100% success rate.

 

I hope, for your sake, everything's okay and stay's that way.

 

Keith

Keith,

 

I didn't bought it, I trade it..

it was an even trade for my 105mm f:2D AF DC US version lens.

Both were in LNIB condition.

Keith, as I have pointed out a number of times, if a lens like the 85mm/f1.4 AF-D goes wrong, a lot of places can fix it. That is not at all an issue.

 

See my experience:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00BxJs

double that,

 

before I trade the lens I called the guys at Phototech.com in NYC (use them before and they are really good) and they DO serivce this lens (and many other lenses) regardless if they are US model or great market.

And price wise the cost about the same as Nikon.

There are shops that can fix an AFD screw type lens other than Nikon. Some people never buy new lenses and don't regret it.

All OK BUT do you not hate the GREY color? :-P

It would seem to me that the only risky grey market lenses are the VR lenses which may not be repairable by non-Nikon USA services.

Otherwise, there is noting wrong in saving a few bucks here and there. I have only had one out-of-warranty Nikkor lens needing minor repair which was handled by the independent Nikon Authorized Service in Morton Grove,IL.

I have probably saved $1200 to $1500 over the years on grey market lenses and have never had any problems. Even if I do have a problem I doubt it would ever outweigh the savings I have achieved.