Canon 55mm f/1.8 lens -- US or Import: I am planning to buy a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens for my Canon EOS 70D. I see them available from several well known on-line camera stores, as...

Garyminor Loc: Raleigh, NC

I am planning to buy a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens for my Canon EOS 70D.

I see them available from several well known on-line camera stores, as well as Amazon and Best Buy. Generally, the price is US$125, but some are lower, and some have several accessories included.

Some are identified as "imports" and others are not. None of those that I've found are identified as domestic, or USA warranty. Is this a big deal?

Amazon tells me to contact the seller.

I'm inclined to go with B&H simply on a trust issue, but even then how can I be sure? Any comments are welcome.

Gary

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

I would think that with as cheap as the lens is, buying an import would not be too big a deal. If in a year or so it gives up the ghost, you can get a new one.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Why don't you just buy a refurbished lens from Canon direct when they have the available. BTW the 50 mm f/1.8 is a great little lens, I don'r use it with a hood as then it is more supsetable to breakage. Sometimes it takes too long to auto focus then I just use manul. I have seen it as low as 50 USD

Good luck & shooting!

J. R.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Garyminor wrote:

I am planning to buy a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens... (show quote)

Gray imports are really a small upfront percentage saving. While this is actually a decent lens, especially for the money, it is not expensive, so any "gray import" saving is likely to be small.

I would go with B&H or equivalent. The lens is fine for quality, but not designed to take the abuse that professional "L" series lenses are designed to endure.

Take care of it, and it should last for years. It's only just over $100 from a reputable source, so what would you save by taking a risk?

What accessories are they throwing in that adds any real value? You can get a cheap off brand lens hood for practically nothing, and you don't need a warranty on a lens hood or a micro-fiber cloth!

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Go with B&H (the U.S. version), and be done with it.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Gifted One wrote:

Why don't you just buy a refurbished lens from Canon direct when they have the available. BTW the 50 mm f/1.8 is a great little lens, I don'r use it with a hood as then it is more supsetable to breakage. Sometimes it takes too long to auto focus then I just use manul. I have seen it as low as 50 USD

Good luck & shooting!

J. R.

A refurbished 50mm F/1.8?????!!!!
I wouldn't think you could get one.
It would cost them more to refurbish it than they can sell it for ... unless the refurbishment was nothing more than taking two pics and seeing how they turn out, and looking at the exterior of the lens, and inside it for about 12.2 seconds, just to make sure its not going to fall to bits.
And that is not what i would call refurbishment.
I would call that "used".
Just buy a new one, grey or whatever.
Its a hundred bucks.
Stop worrying about stuff that doesn't matter. Concentrate on real problems, not imaginary ones. It is much more productive.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

WHAT, are you saying that I am making that up. There is not one currently available but Canon has had them as I have stated. Where did you get the 12.2 second? Either put up or I shall look at you as one who makes facts up.

J. R.

lighthouse wrote:

A refurbished 50mm F/1.8?????!!!! br I wouldn't th... (show quote)

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Gifted One wrote:

WHAT, are you saying that I am making that up. There is not one currently available but Canon has had them as I have stated. Where did you get the 12.2 second? Either put up or I shall look at you as one who makes facts up.

J. R.

Idaho? Can we get fries with that?

Other than invective, can you please provide a little more detail to help us understand your position.

This is a $100 (or close) lens brand new from a decent and trusted source with full warranty.

In modern terms that equals disposable technology. That is a sad situation to be in, but it costs more to diagnose the problem than it does to fix the problem in a case like this. It is cheaper to buy again new. That can also be true with a $500 MRSP lens.

If the lens goes bad, if it don't hunt, (or hunts in the case of an auto focus lens) or whatever, you take it out, shoot it, and move on.

What, specifically, are we missing here in your estimation?

I'm now just a little confused and would like to understand a little more about your simple gifts.

Many thanks

BebuLamar

I don't think a $100 lens can be fixed for less than $100.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

"Peterff, can you please provide a little more detail to help us understand your position." Just saying

J. R.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Gifted One wrote:

WHAT, are you saying that I am making that up. There is not one currently available but Canon has had them as I have stated. Where did you get the 12.2 second? Either put up or I shall look at you as one who makes facts up.

J. R.

It is quite clear what i am saying.
I am saying the same as the next couple of posters after me.
Yes I made the 12.2 seconds up.
The real figure may be 11.3 seconds.

BebuLamar wrote:

I don't think a $100 lens can be fixed for less than $100.

Peterff wrote:

Idaho? Can we get fries with that? br br Other t... (show quote)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Gifted One wrote:

Where did you get the 12.2 second? Either put up or I shall look at you as one who makes facts up. J.R.

YEAHHHH!!!!!......., take THAT....., you writer of Science Fiction!!!! :lol:
SS

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I might of known that you would end up on the top of the Dog Pile

J. R.

SharpShooter wrote:

YEAHHHH!!!!!......., take THAT....., you writer of Science Fiction!!!! :lol:
SS

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Gifted One wrote:

"Peterff, can you please provide a little more detail to help us understand your position." Just saying

J. R.

Sure: http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/lenses-flashes/refurbished-lenses/ef-50mm-f-18-ii-refurbished

So, $100.79 refurbished from Canon, but out of stock. Shipping unknown....

$115 brand new on Amazon, with free shipping (prime) and delivered by Tuesday with full USA warranty etc.....

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU

The math isn't very compelling to go refurb here unless I'm missing something.....

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

They run deep discount promotions when they have stock. It's a great place to keep an eye out on. On premium lens talking real money.

Peterff wrote:

Sure: http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/lenses-flashes/refurbished-lenses/ef-50mm-f-18-ii-refurbished

So, $100.79 refurbished from Canon, but out of stock. Shipping unknown....

$115 brand new on Amazon, with free shipping (prime) and delivered by Tuesday with full USA warranty etc.....

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU

The math isn't very compelling to go refurb here unless I'm missing something.....