Today my husband and I were on a group photo excursion. On this excursion, one of the gentlemen attending worked in some sort of position that dealt with returning Canon or Nikon cameras to their companies for repair. Evidentially, he has been in this type of business for many years, and seemed quite knowledgeable. In the course of our conversation, we were discussing the fact that a licensed Canon dealer cannot sell an item “cheaper” than anyone else. If there is a $100 discount, it is in all stores who sell Canon, not just one. Which has seemed to be accurate, from my own observations. However, I did mention to him that a couple of months ago, I found a Canon 100-400 L II lens at Adorama for $1799.00, which I thought was a great buy, especially when B&H was selling the same lens for $2199.00. In fact, I purchased the lens from Adorama. To my horror, the gentleman responded that it was probably grey market. I almost fainted. How can this be? I have never heard a word about Adorama selling grey market items. Then, he went on to say that B&H also sells grey market items. That comment almost gave me a heart attack, as I have purchased not only my Canon 5DMarkIV from them, but several lenses as well. I then asked how can a consumer tell if you are getting a grey market item? His answer, you can’t, unless you send it into the company’s repair center, and they won’t touch it.

I figured I would come here with my question, I know Hershel from B&H is a member here, and monitors posts. Has anyone else either heard, or know first hand, that Adorama or B&H sell grey market items? I’m really hoping that the answer is “no”, but I will say, the gentleman I was speaking to has been working in the camera business for years, and not in the retail end, but in the repair. It makes me wonder???

Kaitoo212 - With sincere respect since you have only recently joined this forum, issues regarding the purchase of “grey market” items have been and will continue to be discussed here forever. May I suggest that you Google the term in as many forms as you can imagine and settle down for lots of reading? That subject alone will take you thru the coming winter and well beyond. It is not a simple, obvious topic like whether the Packers will win the Super Bowl. Of course, we all know they will (relax sports fans from other regions, I’m just kidding!). After you have exausted that topic, Kaitoo, you can turn your attention to others like “exposure”, “composition” and the dreaded “mirrorless”. Best regards and happy shooting, Ralph

Today my husband and I were on a group photo excursion. On this excursion, one of the gentlemen attending worked in some sort of position that dealt with returning Canon or Nikon cameras to their companies for repair. Evidentially, he has been in this type of business for many years, and seemed quite knowledgeable. In the course of our conversation, we were discussing the fact that a licensed Canon dealer cannot sell an item “cheaper” than anyone else. If there is a $100 discount, it is in all stores who sell Canon, not just one. Which has seemed to be accurate, from my own observations. However, I did mention to him that a couple of months ago, I found a Canon 100-400 L II lens at Adorama for $1799.00, which I thought was a great buy, especially when B&H was selling the same lens for $2199.00. In fact, I purchased the lens from Adorama. To my horror, the gentleman responded that it was probably grey market. I almost fainted. How can this be? I have never heard a word about Adorama selling grey market items. Then, he went on to say that B&H also sells grey market items. That comment almost gave me a heart attack, as I have purchased not only my Canon 5DMarkIV from them, but several lenses as well. I then asked how can a consumer tell if you are getting a grey market item? His answer, you can’t, unless you send it into the company’s repair center, and they won’t touch it.

I figured I would come here with my question, I know Hershel from B&H is a member here, and monitors posts. Has anyone else either heard, or know first hand, that Adorama or B&H sell grey market items? I’m really hoping that the answer is “no”, but I will say, the gentleman I was speaking to has been working in the camera business for years, and not in the retail end, but in the repair. It makes me wonder???