leeinalex wrote:
hello all,
i did a search for gray market lenses on this forum and i see that there is no real physical difference between a gray market and a US lens. instead, it seems like the lack of warranty is the difference.
but what i don't know is when you are purchasing a used lens on craigslist, ebay, etc. is there a way to tell if the lens is a gray market or not?
the three brands of lenses i look at the most are: canon, sigma, and tamron.
thank you.
I would ask the seller if it is US product. The seller will either tell you yes. no, or he doesn't know. Use PayPal to pay for it. If it turns out not to be as the seller has represented, let the seller know that you will be returning the lens. If he balks, at least you have a paper trail that you can show PayPal so they can intervene on your behalf. I would not use any other method of payment - ever.
Sigma charges $250 more to service gray market.
Tamron may or may not repair it - you'd have to contact them. Some owners on line have had to pay $229 before Tamron will touch it.
I have no first hand experience with repairing Tamron or Canon products.