questions about boxes for Nikon Lenses

[vgoklani]

Hi,

 

I was planning to buy a Nikon 14mm lens, and I noticed that some of the boxes were "gold"

while others were gold/black. Is there a reason for that? Are some grey-market lenses,

while the others are USA?

[ellis_vener_photography]

Just a packaging change. The gold/black boxes were replaced by the all gold boxes.

[nikonichiban]

I once read that keeping your nikon boxes will increase resale value if you decide to

sell the equipment. Is this true?

[richard_meyers]

Dave -

 

Well, I think it is true for some people. I guess they perceive a lens with it's original box has been better cared for or less used or something.

 

That's probably why you see empty product boxes for sale on the great auction site.

[frank_skomial]

Talking about USA market only.

Based on my Nikkor lenses, all Gold boxes hold Grey (Gray) Market lenses, while all gold/black (more black than gold) boxes hold lenses with 5 years protection plan from Nikon USA.

[kelly_flanigan1]

A friend bought a used Leica M3; with Dusal range Summicron; original box for the DR Summicron; in the late 1970s for about 190 bucks. He sold the SS M3 body for 680; the DR lens for 488; the beat up red DR Leica box for 66 bucks.

[ShunCheung]

In 1987, I bought a new 35mm/f1.4 AI-S lens with Nikon USA warranty. That box is all gold. I still have the lens and the box. This year, I bought two lenses: the 17-55mm/f2.8 DX has the Nikon USA 5-year warranty, and the box is all gold. The 12-24mm/f4 DX also has the 5-year warranty, and the box is silver/gray. In other words, gray box certaily does not imply gray market. :-)

 

I'd say don't spend too much time worrying about all of this. :-)

 

And yes, the fact that I still have the box from a 1987 lens gives any potential buyer the (false??) impression that I take great care of my stuffs. Besides the boxes, I have the owner's manuals, original (but expired) warranty cards, etc. The only thing is that I am not selling the 35mm/f1.4.