authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

Yesterday I purchased two items used from my local camera store. First item was a Nikon D610. The camera shop had bought a used Nikon D600 and sent it to Nikon for shutter replacement due to the oil issue. Nikon replaced the D600 with with a brand new, in the box, D610. Camera has about 300 shots on it. Everything else is sealed and the box serial number has a U and matches the camera so I know this is a US model. Paid $650. Now here is the opinion I would like. The lens I bought was the Nikon 35mm 1.8G ED. It is used but in the original box and looks never to have been used or very little. I paid $292 which is $150 less than used prices I have seen and less than 1/2 the new cost. What I did not notice is on the bottom of the lens box is a sticker which informs the user this is an import model and have no Nikon warranty. Well neither item has a warranty as they are both used but if the lens ever needed repair, it sure will not be Nikon. Would most likely be Midwest Camera which is 30 miles from me. I have dealt with this camera shop for about 7 years so I am confident they did not do this on purpose. Should I keep the mint condition and fully functional lens, considering what I paid or return it?

Thanks to all who give their opinions.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

I'm not a Nikon user but, it sounds like you got a good deal. In over 50 years of being involved in photography, I've never had to have a lens serviced. So, if your gray market 35mm lens works, enjoy using it.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Outside of dropping it, what could go wrong with this lens? Why worry? You got a great deal on both the camera and the lens... relax and enjoy them!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Good deal. I've never had to have a lens or camera repaired, so I don't think that's a major concern. A warranty expires after a couple of years (or less), so it's not that big a deal.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

If you are concerned about gray market, what makes you think that at some point down the road, the next buyer or store that accepts it as a trade-in won't share your concern? Besides, as of April, it is doubtful that ANYONE outside of Nikon Melville or Nikon Los Angeles will no longer have access to parts, tools and training required to service Nikon gear. You may save some $$ intially, but later you'll take a beating when, and if, you sell it.

This is not about an "obsession" with gray market - it's more of a reality check. Refusing to reconcile facts contradicts a belief system will only get you in trouble.

https://petapixel.com/2019/12/10/nikon-is-shutting-down-its-authorized-repair-program-in-march-2020/

As far as what can happen to a lens (other than impact damage) that would require service - the following are things that have happened to lenses I have owned - many of them Nikkors, some Tamron, Tokina, and Sigma in the mix

oil on diaphragm leaves
broken switches
failed optical stabilization
failed focusing motor
broken AF/MF ring
wear affecting focus accuracy and reliability (lens mount, exceeding tolerances in AF mechanism)
scratch on front/rear element from improper cleaning
firmware upgrade
tight focus and zoom rings - requiring CLA (clean/lube/adjust) service
element fogging presumably from storing in camera bag that had vinyl on the inside that outgassed onto the lens surfaces
loose rubber grips on focus or zoom rings
excessive focus creep

These are just some of the things that have failed on my lenses over the past 53 yrs that I have relied on Nikon and others to repair. Imagine not being able to get it fixed - period! I have had friends that tried to get gray goods repaired by Nikon and it was a no-go.

Midwest Camera will NOT be able to fix a problem with your lens - if it can't get access to parts, tools, manuals, training. There is a chance that this is only temporary, especially when all the Nikon owners start making noise when their repairs start taking months instead of days, but I wouldn't count on it. I'd return the lens - I wouldn't want to have that headache down the road. . .

Collhar Loc: New York City.

I think we have become overly obsessed with the term....grey market.

Dannj

Yes

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Keep it, enjoy it.

I have NIKON gear made in 1959 that still functions.

The only NIKON gear that has ever broken was an SB24 flash that fell about 10 feet onto rocks and an SB600 flash that may or not be dead ... I was about to bin it and tried new batteries again and whacked it a couple times and it’s worked fine since.

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

True, it is a REAL Nikon lens, which came from the same factory as US models. Considering it being used, I have no warranty to worry about anyway.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Keep the lens. You got a D610 that is virtually brand new, even though it has now been discontinued. The 35mm is a good lens on a full frame or crop sensor. I'm generally not a supporter of purchasing Gray market cameras. But, a lens is different. If, you buy a very good Nikon lens, at a bargain price, from eBay, most likely, it is gray market. I bought my Nikon DSLR 4 years ago. And have never sent it in for repairs via the one year USA warranty. It is also discontinued. Just like your D610. Enjoy your new to you camera stuff.

rstipe Loc: S. Florida

I think you'd be better off with a 50mm for the D610. It's a great camera, BTW.Congrats!

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

For the price you paid it is worth the risk. Go for it.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

After talking with B&H about a grey market 50 mm Nikon lens, I bought it from them. They were very upfront about it. They said if anything went wrong with it they would warranty it. I had that lens for years and it worked flawlessly. (I don’t have it now because I switched to mirrorless about 3 years ago.)

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I read your link. Nikon stopped selling repair parts to Independent camera repair shops. Now, by March 31, 2020, the Nikon Authorized Repair facilities will be affected. You'll have to send your Nikon camera in for repairs, either to the New York or Los Angeles Nikon Repair Shops.

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

If it were me I would be taking it back if it is still within your grace period. You MAY need a repair someday and then what. If you have the $$$$ to spend then it’s your call