larrywilk Loc: Palm Harbor, FL

Just a thought on the 5D Mark II. I have been following pricing on ebay and have seen prices in the mid $700 range.

My question is what would be the true pros and cons of purchasing a gray market 5D? Surely Canon is not the only repair service as an auto dealership is not the only car repair center. I, and I am sure, many others shop price as well as quality when seeking repair. I have found many factory authorized facilities to charge substantially more for repairs than a smaller and less recognized repair center. Rick Riggins would be a prime example of a smaller company.

What are the thoughts of my fellow Hogs on this.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The biggest issue is the factory warranty. Not an issue with a used camera. Grey market gear does not come with a US warranty. You would have to send it to the country where it was originally intended to be sold for warranty repairs. Unlike Nikon repairs shops, which are not allowed to repair grey market items even if you were to pay them, Canon shops are free to make repairs, but you pay the going rate. The warranty is not honored. Once the warranty period is over it makes no difference. You pay for the repair no matter what the warranty originally was. Aside from that, resale seems to be the next biggest issue. Many people won't buy a used grey market item, even though the warranty is no longer an issue. Also not as big an issue with Canon as with Nikon. As I understand it, even off warranty they won't touch a grey market item. Most grey market items seem to come with a seller's warranty, if purchased from a reputable dealer. How good they are depends on the dealer.
It comes down to factory warranty, and a used 5DII from EBay has no factory warranty, so it doesn't seem to me that it would be much of an issue. BTW, whether grey market or US market, the cameras and lenses are identical as far as construction and quality. There may be some slight difference in menu or features but no physical difference.

MMC Loc: Brooklyn NY

I am also thinking about buying gray market camera Nikon D750 and hesitate. I found this article. May it will be usefull for you. http://www.dslrbodies.com/nikon/about-nikon/nikon-warranties.html

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

The difference is that non dealership repair centers have full access to parts, either after market or OEM. So, it's a gamble. It is completely up to you, if the gamble is worth it.

jfn007 Loc: Close to the middle of nowhere.

A friend of mine bought a gray market Nikon and the manual for it was written in Cantonese and Mandarin. He finally found an English version of the manual but he said it was a pain in the neck. The camera works well and he did save a hundred or so bucks.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

When the specially designed .001μμf capacitor in the middle of a bundle of wires and cables of your $3000 camera fails, there are several ways to get a replacement:

1. Have the dealer order and install a replacement capacitor.
2. Have the dealer order and install a replace bundle.
3. Have an independent technician try to find an operable replacement.
4. Have an independent technician replace the part or bundle from a part-only camera on hand.
5. Have an independent technician try to find someone who has the part or bundle you need.
6. Ship the camera to the factory for repair.

#6, you can do. #'s 3, 4, 5 and 6 can be done by a good independent tech - but make sure the tech is honest and knowledgeable. #'s 1 and 2 require minimal effort and expense on your part - unless you bought grey market equipment, in which case, refer to #'s 3, 4, 5 or 6. Or fix it yourself......

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

First of all I doubt you'll get much of a warranty if the camera is used but if new it may have an international warranty but at that price of 700.00 canon will repair it with a valid receipt for a nominal amount of money or as you mentioned their other repair centers that will take care of it here in the USA. Unless your real hard on a camera I would think you will have no problems with it at all!



quote=larrywilk]Just a thought on the 5D Mark II. I have been following pricing on ebay and have seen prices in the mid $700 range.

My question is what would be the true pros and cons of purchasing a gray market 5D? Surely Canon is not the only repair service as an auto dealership is not the only car repair center. I, and I am sure, many others shop price as well as quality when seeking repair. I have found many factory authorized facilities to charge substantially more for repairs than a smaller and less recognized repair center. Rick Riggins would be a prime example of a smaller company.

What are the thoughts of my fellow Hogs on this.[/quote]

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Gray market isn't worth it to me. Long after I've saved some money, every time I go out to shoot, I'd know that my Nikon was an orphan. Canon might be a bit different. Rick Riggins seems to be out of commission for now.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/standard_display/gray_market
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/331/~/what-is-gray-market%3F
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/gray-market.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/buy.htm

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The responses so far are a mix of applicable not applicable thoughts. The Nikon policies on grey market are not Canon's, particularly as applied to new models being sold in 2015. But for a discontinued Canon camera purchased used via ebay, there is no warranty that applies other than something purchased from the seller. One thing to consider is KEH where they have a 2-week return policy no questions asked. They also provide a 6-month warranty although I forget the details as I've never exercised on used items I've purchased from them.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Like you said, Nikon would not even look at it, if it is an import. You have to send it back to the original country. For me, that was enough to discourage me from ever buying grey, new or used.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

[/quote]

There are several reasons why an authorized repair facility could be more expensive then an independent shop. Overhead is one thing. Large shops have large overheads to cover. Somebody working out of a storefront or their basement, not so much. Authorized shops will have a bigger investment in equipment, the purchase of which is often mandated by the camera manufacturer. Independent shops can buy or not, as it suits their needs. Authorized shops will often run an entire repair "process" to check the entire camera, not just the reported problem. Again, often mandated by the manufacturer. Authorized shops can only use factory authorized parts. Independent shops can source their parts from any available source. That alone would make me a fan of an authorized shop in most cases. There are many very good independent shops, such as Rick, for example. Just the same, finding the good ones can be a crapshoot.
At last report Rick is in the hospital in the ICU. Let's hope for a speedy recovery.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

You don't have to send a Canon out of country unless the factory warranty is still valid and you wish to make use of it. A bit of a gamble if it is a high dollar repair. (Which seem to be rare with new cameras). Once the warranty has expired it doesn't matter what the original warranty was. Canon will fix it at the going rate. You can get a Canon grey market repaired by Canon at anytime, but it will come out of your pocket, not Canon's.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I am speaking to Nikon only. Yes, Canon repairs but Nikon has 5 year warranty on professional lenses and Canon's standard only 1. I gladly pay for those extra years.

Bob Boner

I would not buy grey market Nikon. I had a tripod fail, and destroyed a 500mm f/4 Nikon lens a teleconverter and body. Nikon refused to repair them and also refused to sell the parts to an independent repair shop. Fortunately, I had them insured, but that caused me to abandon Nikon for Canon.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

I thought they had a 1 year on all lenses plus a 4 year extended for a fee? Plus it's a limited one at that and form a few of my fellow photographers who shoot Nikons claims Nikkon likes to use the you miss used it or abused it routine?