ValliPride Loc: Lost in Florida

I just received some nice info about a TC 1.4 for my nikon 80-200 2.8 lens,from a fellow UHH, I looked on line and can only find the grey market
Is their a difference in teleconverter between USA & Gray market,
I Hope someone can clear this up? The Grey is $100 less.
Thanks UHH

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

BIG DIFFERENCE. No US warranty on grey market.

ValliPride Loc: Lost in Florida

That's it? For $100 less would you buy it?

C.R. Loc: United States of Confusion

yes, get the grey market

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

This is the kind of thing where reviews, statistics, and experiences would be valuable. For something with a known high failure rate, or with a lot of failure prone moving parts, it makes sense to have the warranty. I do not know for sure, but I would imagine that a TC would not have a very high failure rate and that even the Grey market would replace DOA's....Personally, I would not hesitate to buy a grey market TC for $100 savings. Think of it as being "self-insured" and the $100 as the premium.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

I wonder what's going on that the U.S. version is currently not available?

ValliPride Loc: Lost in Florida

Thank you that is straight talk. And the insight. If I was Buying the D810 then I want the USA version. But saving $100 that's a no Brainer . And just for curiosity why is their no USA models available ?

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

When you say "USA version",I am not completely sure I understand what you are referring to...In my experience, most grey market items are identical to the domestic versions, even coming off the same assembly lines. The reason they are cheaper is that they are meant for foreign markets where the demographic does not support higher prices. Usually, someone breaks a contract and diverts the product to a "first world" (for lack of a better term) market, where they are sold at a discount from the product carried by local merchants, but with no local warranty. I have never bought a grey market items that was a different item than the "1st Line" one.....One caveat...There ARE isolated cases where MFR's will create a lower quality item for certain markets, but these are usually clearly marked with a different model number or a letter designation. I have never seen an attempt at deception from the major brands, and all I have seen sell the same item to differing markets.

amehta Loc: Boston

I would not get a gray market D810, but I would get a gray market TC-14E II. It's quite possible that's exactly what I have, I don't remember. There is a TC-14E III now, which might be why there are no USA warranty TC-14E II available.

davidheald1942 Loc: Mars (the planet)

Get the grey. TC's are not that complicated.
ronny

UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas

The new TC-E 1.4 III is being released August 17th

djenrette Loc: Philadelphia

I don't know about other camera makers, but Nikon lenses here have serial numbers prefixed by USA. If it doesn't say USA, then you have no warranty here in the USA. The risk is worth it for a low cost item, but the savings wouldn't be near enough to buy a gray marker 200-400mm lens (for example), even though I haven't had any complaints about Nikon lenses new and used.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

It is out of stock and waiting on the new release, more than likely. Why pay money to advertise it if it isn't available and not going to be available.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

This is not quite true. All Nikon USA lenses are NOT prefixed by USA. Many are. BUT, Alll Nikon USA serial numbers are tracked and listed in Nikon USA's data base and if you have a problem, they WILL verify the serial number before offering a repair. Often times, (not always, as it depends on which tech support rep you get) you can call Nikon Tech support and verify the serial number on a camera or lens to make sure it is a USA product before you purchase. They will certainly verify it before they allow you to send it in for repair, and if you send it without checking, they will return it unrepaired.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

TCs are not complicated devices. I don't know what the failure rates are but they have to be extremely low.

There is no actual difference in product between "gray" and USA, just a different marketing channel.

Those that are familiar with sales and distribution know that not everyone get the same deal when purchasing.

I recently purchased a lens from B&H that was purchased by them through an Australian channel. It will be as reliable as any US lens. May have even been made at the same time side by side in the assembly process.

I have been buying photo equipment for over 50 years and buy "gray" whenever their is a significant price difference. Never had a problem. I'm not particularly lucky, the odds are just in my favor.

Photo equipment from a reputable source is very reliable with few exceptions. Failure rates mostly are measured in per thousand occurrences.

I am not suggesting that anyone follow my practices since someone has to pay the high margins to keep companies profitable and their share holders happy.

It just won't be me as long as there is a practical alternative.