Identify a Grey Market Canon 5DS/r: I am considering taking a look at a fsbo 5DS/r advertised as very low shutter count. I would like to know before meeting with seller whether it is a...

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

I am considering taking a look at a fsbo 5DS/r advertised as very low shutter count. I would like to know before meeting with seller whether it is a USA or grey mkt camera.

I have searched the web without success. I then called Canon and the rep could not tell me if there was significance embedded in the s/n, even after giving him the s/n.

So far I have struck out in my search. Any Hoggers have any insight?

Tia
DeanS

Dan Downie Loc: Rochester, NY

What's an fsbo?

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Dan Downie wrote:

What's an fsbo?

For sale by owner.

Math78 Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

If the camera is not covered by the Canon USA warranty, then I don't think it matters that much. I believe canon will service USA and gray market items the same when you are paying for the repairs.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Math78 wrote:

If the camera is not covered by the Canon USA warranty, then I don't think it matters that much. I believe canon will service USA and gray market items the same when you are paying for the repairs.

I don’t expect to obtain any warranty. I would like to know beforehand whether it is USA or grey mkt.

bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT

I have heard some people being able to repair a gray market Canon through their repair service, I was not so lucky. I had a 60D that took a drink and because it was a gray market they would not touch it even though I was going to foot the bill. That is when I found out it was a gray market camera so the warranty service should be able to tell you what it is. Not sure if the sales department would have access to that information.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

bgrn wrote:

I have heard some people being able to repair a gray market Canon through their repair service, I was not so lucky. I had a 60D that took a drink and because it was a gray market they would not touch it even though I was going to foot the bill. That is when I found out it was a gray market camera so the warranty service should be able to tell you what it is. Not sure if the sales department would have access to that information.

Tks bgrn. The Canon rep (1-800-OKCanon) I spoke with was the reg customer org. He took s/n and ran it through their service db and did not get a hit. But all that indicated was that it had never been serviced by Canon. Looks like I will have to rely on the owner if I intend to pursue acquition.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I purchased a new import 5DSr back in December of 2015 at a considerable savings over retail. I'm assuming it was grey market but to be sure I will have to go down into the basement and find the box it came in; I save all my photo gear boxes. Anyway, I had no problem registering that camera with Canon.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Tks rmorrison

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Can the Canon Rep determine if it was ever registered in their warranty database. I register my Canon gear online but you can also mail in the card. Is the card still with the owner. Did the owner register the warranty. The owner should be able to answer these questions in my view. Regardless the cameras likely co e off the same production line and Canon USA will service either if needed. I would doubt that as a second owner of a used camera you would be entitled to any warranty.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

DeanS wrote:

I am considering taking a look at a fsbo 5DS/r advertised as very low shutter count. I would like to know before meeting with seller whether it is a USA or grey mkt camera.

I have searched the web without success. I then called Canon and the rep could not tell me if there was significance embedded in the s/n, even after giving him the s/n.

So far I have struck out in my search. Any Hoggers have any insight?

Tia
DeanS

While this pertains to a 7Dmkii, it might provide some insight/guidance. I have 2 mkii's, one bought at a local camera shop, one grey market-there is a variation in serial numbers-

USA market 7Dmkii: 042021xxxxxx
Grey market 7Dmkii: 022020xxxxxx

I believe the 04 and 02 are country codes. If you can get a s/n from a USA 5DS/r, you might be able to use that for comparison purposes. As info, when I received the grey market 7D(bought used), the first thing I did was send it to Canon for a CLA, and had NO PROBLEM getting it serviced. Hope this helps, and good luck.

ReFlections Loc: From LA to AL

What is the main reason you want it to be USA vs Grey Market. If you have a problem, Canon USA will repair it.

Stan W. Loc: Tampa, Fl

travisdeland wrote:

While this pertains to a 7Dmkii, it might provide ... (show quote)

My 7d Mark II begins with 01. What country might that be?

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I don't know, but if it was a country code my guess would be Japan...

Stan W. wrote:

My 7d Mark II begins with 01. What country might that be?

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

I couldn't tell you-I posted what I did as a simple comparison. My 04 is a known USA model, and the 02 was a known grey market-I'm not even sure those would be country or region codes. In comparing the s/n's of my 2 bodies, it was what stood out-maybe the 5th and sixth numbers are determinant of country or region(21 vs 20).