USA vs GREY

[alex_tamborrino1]

Regarding Usa vs Grey, I definetely feel that Leica Camera Bodies should be purchased w/ usa Warranty but considering the savings and the consistency of the lenses ( providing we don't drop them )it is worth the gamble if the savings is an issue. I just purchased a 90mm asph 2.0 summicron, grey, for 600. less than usa. Since I just graduated to Leica after years of Contax and Nikon's, did I make a wise choice ??? After All, what goes wrong with a sumicron with careful usage.

Thanks for the appreciated feedback...

[ray_moth]

I agree with what you say, especially when it comes to R cameras.

There are a lot of complicated electronic and mechanical components

that can go wrong and it's difficult to test them all, so the

warranty makes good sense. Lenses, on the other hand, seem less of a

risk to me and all mine were bought used at far lower prices than new.

[stephen_york]

What is equally interesting is that, from the ads, it appears

that "grey market" items (which I take to be new, but w/o a Leica

warranty) are often the same price as used items at other stores. It

seems to me that if the price is the same one would be better served

in buying the "grey market" item over the used. Right?

[jay_.]

I've noticed that there seems to be a greater disparity between

USA/gray prices on lenses than bodies, making it even more sensible

to buy the bodies with the USA passport. Second, a service on a lens

is usually less than on a body, though many lenses cost much more

than a body, so there's less risk. IMO the USA-body/gray-lens

strategy is not without merit.

[john_collier5]

If you have a body still under passport warranty and you want to

buy a used or grey lens, make sure you have a generous return

privilege. If the lens does not focus correctly with the body, you

are in a bit of a bind. You cannot send the body/lens combination

to Leica for calibration and you cannot have anyone but Leica

work on the body without possibly voiding your passport

warranty. This is a big concern with large aperture telephoto

lenses. If you are wiling to pay Leica for the work then there is no

problem.

 

<p>

 

Cheers,

[mark13]

Leica, if you're listening...

 

<p>

 

Other than the passport protection, what would a 3 year leica warranty

be worth in terms of additional cost over a grey market lens or body?

I think a 10% price premium or a $200 extra, whichever is less would

be an acceptable amount to get a 3 year warranty. $600 on a lens like

mentioned above is silly. I would buy the USA products if they were

priced with more reason.

[geddert]

One thing you should check out is "leica days" these are days in

which stores often sell all their leica stuff for 10% off, on top of

that you can get the $200 rebate from leica before the end of this

year. I just bought an M6 TTL for 1540 (after rebates) with a USA

warranty, from Samy's - not too shabby if you ask me. Most lenses

seem to be about the same price with these discounts either USA or

Gray, thus obviously one should buy the USA one. The only two lenses

from Samy's that were still more expensive were the noctilux and

35/1.4 ASPH. For a list of leica day events around the use go to this

page, and then a call up the stores to see if they offer 10% off on

those days:

<p>

<a href=http://www.leica-

camera.com/unternehmen/international/usa/events/index_e.html">http://w

ww.leica-

camera.com/unternehmen/international/usa/events/index_e.html</a>

[geddert]

let me try that again - it didn'

t work because the link is too long and went in to two lines, if this

doesn't work, please copy and paste the first and second parts of

this link.

 

<p>

 

http://www.leica-

camera.com/unternehmen/international/usa/events/index_e.html

[richie chishty]

A new Leica lens without USA warranty can be repaired by someone like

DAG or Sherry Krauter or John van Stelten (Focal Point) at a fairly

reasonable cost. If the price difference is $600, then I would buy

the grey market lens. I have had lenses repaired or CLA'd by them

for about $100.

[silas_larsen]

You can also buy an extended warranty with your grey market

items for not too much more, and this is for three years. Leica's

warranty is not too much good unless you are unlucky- how

much breaks after a year?

[dan_brown4]

I have saved so much $$ over the years by buying grey market

that I could toss a brand new M6TTL in the dumpster and still

come out ahead. This is good because I experience zero risk

now when buying grey market. Although, I have never had a

warranty issue arise. I think that what you are paying for is US

marketing when you buy a USA warranted product. But, it is an

international community and market now, and the "USA" product

concept seems downright provincial to me. I suggest that it is

the distribution chain that needs to adapt, not the consumer.

[rob - atlanta, ga usa]

I agree with Dan. Besides, Delta International includes a free three

year Mack warranty with their lenses.

[karl kost]

I guess that I am one of the unlucky ones. I bought a Leica R8

with two zooms and two primes a couple of years ago from an

authorized dealer. The aperture mechanism in both zooms

disconnected and the R8 stopped working on the first major

shoot with the system (from a helicopter). Damned glad that I

had a warranty. I don't trust my Leica equipment now for more

than just admiring.