Nikon 180mm f/2.8D ED-IF lens - 1-year vs 5-year warranty

[david_cunningham2]

I am considering the purchase of a Nikon 180mm f/2.8D ED-IF lens. B&H is currently out of stock of the USA version, but does have the grey market version (selling for $85 less than the USA version). I know the general consensus is that the lenses are the same physically, but does anyone have any experience with this lens in regards to durabilty and reliability? Any problems that had to be fixed? Do you recommend waiting for a USA version and spending the extra $85 on a 5-year warranty or should I go for the grey market 1-year warranty and save some money?

[lightcraftsman]

I haven't used the AF version of this lens, but I recerntly purchased a

used 180/2.8 ED-IF manual focus lens. This lens is ugly. I'm talking

coyote ugly. It has dents. It has scratches. Some of the paint on the

inside of the lens hood has rubbed off. The front element has two small

nicks. But it takes beautiful photos.

 

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Still, when I upgrade to autofocus I'm spending the extra money on USA

equipment. Not only for the extra four years of warranty coverage, but

also because some people have reported that Nikon USA refuses to work

on grey market equipment. I have no quibble with that. Nikon USA spends

a lot of money marketing their gear in this country and they make no

money when people buy grey market equipment. They have a right to

discourage people from doing so.

 

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Autofocus lenses, due to their complexity, are more likely to need

maintenance than are manual focus lenses. This is your decision, but

here's one vote for waiting for the USA version.

[john_n._wall]

I would not hesitate to get the grey market lens. Even though its true

that Nikon USA will not repair grey gear under warranty.

 

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Camera bodies are far more complex than lenses, so there is a good

argument for buying Nikon USA imported bodies. But lenses aren't all

that complicated. I've not heard many people complaining about needing

to get lenses worked on.

 

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Even it you do need repair, lots of people other than Nikon USA can

repair lenses, and probably for less money than Nikon USA would

charge.

 

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As to the basic facts, Nikkor lenses of any given model, whether

imported by Nikon USA or by a parallel importer (like B&H), are

identical. They come off the same assembly lines and meet the same

standards of quality control.

[shun_cheung1]

This should be the buyer's individual decision, but I would not

hesitate to buy a grey market Nikon lens and would not waste my money

on an extended warrenty. If I were buying the 180mm/f2.8, I would go

for the grey-market version even though an USA one were

available if the difference is $85. Usually lenses are quite reliable,

especially for a non-zoom (since zooms have more moving parts). If

there are any manufacturing problems, they should appear within the

first few weeks, which is covered by B&H's warranty. Beyond that, if

your lens is used properly, it is unlikely for problems to appear in

the next 5 years. (That is why those extended warranties are excellent

deals for the seller but poor deals for the buyer.) In case you

get unlucky, many independent repair stores can repair Nikon lenses

should any service be needed in the future.

[fred_prince]

I bought a refurbished AF 180mm 2.8 non D at a show. These come with

a 90 day warranty. I hadn't noticed the scuffs on the front element

or the large amount of dust inside of it when I bought it. The

pictures I took with it were crappy. I sent it to Nikon's USA repair

station. It took awhile to come back but it was worth it. They

replaced three pieces in the lens including the front element and now

it lives up to it's reputation. Other lenses I've had repaired by

Nikon USA are a AF 20mm 2.8 (it rolled off of a car seat onto the

floor and was thrown way out of alignment), an AF 85mm 1.8 (almost

the same thing, it fell off my sister's lap) and a AF 300mm F4

(bought used but just back from Nikon's professional service). All

of these lenses seemed to be better than new after being repaired.

That's why I would consider the USA warrantee. Autofocus lenses are

definitely sensitive to a little rough handling. There are

authorized Nikon repair shops/dealers that can repair Nikon lenses.

I don't know if they do as well Nikon USA at Melville, NY.