amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

RUN, RUN VERY FAST away from Abe's of Maine!

They ain't in Maine and no one named Abe has worked there in years.

If you look up the words "shyster" or "bait n switch" in a dictionary, they show a picture of Abe's.

They are most certainly "gray market" since I think every manufacturer has kicked Abe's off their lists of "authorized dealers", so the only way they can stock their shelves is through "unofficial imports".... also known as "gray market".

Gray market is worse with Nikon than just about any other brand, because of Nikon USA's monopolistic service dept. and repair parts policies. The only place to get repairs done now is at the Nikon Factory Repair facilities. They no longer have a short list 15 or 20 of "authorized repairers" around the country. Add to that, with some minor exceptions, Nikon will not sell replacement parts to anyone. So to get any repair done, it will have to be by the official factory repair center.

Even then, you may not be able to get a repair done. I don't know if it's still the case, but Nikon used to refuse to work on any gray market items, even if you pay for it. Gray market is as ALL the "international" items that Abe's sells. "International" might sound better, but is exactly the same as "gray market".

EDIT: This from the Nikon USA website...

Gray Market Warning
Nikon products that are imported and sold by anyone other than Nikon Inc. USA are considered Gray Market products. These often are genuine Nikon products that were intended for other countries; therefore, they may not meet Nikon’s specifications for US products or perform as expected, and they are not covered by a Nikon USA warranty or eligible for Nikon USA repair service.

And, because of the above Nikon repair policies the extended warranty offered by Abe's on the gray market items they sell is pretty much meaningless. Maybe, just maybe if something breaks during the warranty there won't be any parts needed to make a repair. But if any replacement parts are needed, you're pretty much out of luck. Congrats, you now own a paper weight!

I can guarantee you that all copies of of any given Nikkor lens are made in the same place... there are unlikely to be copies made in different places being sold at the same time. If they make 200-500mm in China, they make ALL 200-500mm in China. I don't know exactly where, but they have lens manufacturing facilities a number of places. For general info about where they make their cameras and lenses, see: https://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/nikon/about-nikon/nikon-faq/where-are-nikon-cameras-and.html

When they make lenses, most companies set up a manufacturing and assembly line to produce a large number of copies of any given model, which they put in stock and sell for a couple years. Meanwhile the manuf./assembly line is converted for a different lens model and makes a batch of them. Then it's set up to produce a large batch of another lens. Then another. Etc. Eventually when supplies of any given model start to run low, if it's still a good seller they'll make another batch of them. At any given time, they probably have several of these manuf./assembly lines running in parallel.

Besides, there's some really good stuff coming out of China. (... and Korea... and Thailand... and Taiwan... etc.)

If you want to buy a 200-500mm at some savings, you might look for Nikon USA refurbished. Those have a warranty, though I think it might only be 3 or 6 months. If you see any lenses advertised as refurbished by someone other than Nikon USA, well those would actually just be "used".

Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown

Abe's of Maine has a poor reputation yet still in business. The company must be making sales to someone. So all we say about non-USA Nikon gear does not have much impact on the sales model on Abe's of Maine. I do not use their services and can only say the aged cliche, Caveat Emptor!

gwilliams6

People will always be sucked in by extreme low prices or unbelievable deals they think they are getting, nothing new about that scam working well through the ages.

JALEO

in 2016, I bought from Nikon a refurbished af-s nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR,
a few months later I have and stroke, and as a result I do have problems handling
my right hand side. When I was able to open the box and try to mount this monster
on my D810, I find out that it is impossible for me. Conclusion, this lens has not been
used since I received it, I have mounted some Vivitar filter for protection. It come with
the following:

Lens, front & back caps, lens shadow, manual, carry on bag.

I paid for it $1,331.21, if interested please email me to jdserv7@aol.com

Thank you
J. A. LEO

stevefrankel

I agree with everything that's been said about grey market goods. If a camera or lens is hard to locate, I often buy from a private eBay buyer with great recommendations or one of the used camera dealers such as KEH that have strong followings. Otherwise, I'll look for alternatives that may turn out to be better. I just face interminable delays in getting the new "baby" full-frame Sony that doesn't start shipping for about a month. I looked harder and ended up buying the new Canon EOS RP that was about the same size and about $1,000 less. It never hurts to broaden your horizons and look around!

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

Please DO NOT buy from Abe's of Maine. They are notorious for bait and switch and charging extra. Plus they have switched used for new and their customer service is horrible. I once visited their store on RT 22 in NJ and walked out after 5 min talking to one of their salesmen.
As others have said, buying from B&H, Adorama or a reputable local store is the best. You get service, a valid Nikon warranty and piece of mind.

CliffMcKenzie Loc: Lake Athens Texas

Early in September I ordered the same lens (200-500 5.6) and had it 2 weeks later. I purchased in advance as opposed to having them tell me it is in stock. I bought from Adorama and I do like B&H. You need to avoid non-USA warranty items. Hope this helps.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

You are probably better off buying a used USA model off ebay (with a good rep and return policy) than buying grey market anywhere....or refurbished USA from Nikon, BH or other dealer with good rep.

alfengael

I've owned the Nikon 200-500mm as well as the Tamron 150-600mm G2 and the Sigma 150-600mm C, in my opinion none of them are really sharp enough consistently across the image. I suggest you read all the reviews of the Sigma 60-600mm S or the Sigma 150-600mm S, both are exceptional lenses with the 60-600mm being ever-so-slightly smaller and lighter than the 150-600mm (still both much heavier than the Nikon). The Sigma Sports lenses are well worth the extra money. The 60-600mm is simply amazing. Buy from B&H or Adorama, not, as everyone tells you, from Abe's, or 6th Ave, or various other online retailers who are not authorized US sellers. This goes for Nikon as well as Tamron and Sigma. The factory warranties are much better than the "store warranties."

pego101

I have had good luck with Abes of Maine.
There stuff is usually Gray market but I have not had a problem.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I bought a cameraa from Abe's a long time ago, and didn't have a problem. That was a long time ago, and the reputation of Age's is not very good. I would not buy from them.
But, all things aside, I have never had to have a lens repaired.I have many lenses, but not once have I had to have anything repaired.
Be wary of Abe's, but I don't think that a grey market lens is anything to worry about. Maybe buy from another if you can find it.

An aside, if no one has the lens, why does Abe's have it? I would worry about that.

coullone Loc: Paynesville, Victoria, Australia

Just remember that USA Nikon are import models to the rest of the world!!
Currently Nikon Australia gives a 5 year warrantee on a lot of models, do Nikon USA? They are all built in the same place so quality should be the same. The fact that USA believes there is a difference shows lack of confidence in the total Nikon product line. Our Consumer affairs would have a lot to say about that!
A lot of our grey imports seem to come from the U.S or Japan. Nikon's are used all over threworld, why would they bother to make inferior products for some markets. Sounds like the rely on some people being gullible!

btw Canon do make models just for the US - the Rebel Range.

a long time Nikon user with equipment purchased in Australia, Japan and the U.K. all work as expected and have proved reliable and top quality.
PS All the Nikon Medical equipment is made in the same place and of course it is all imported.

Stay safe and wear a mask to protect yourself and all your loved ones.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

New Nikon lenses also have a 5 year warranty in the US. It’s not a matter of where the lens is manufactured, it’s about business divisions. If you didn’t buy a lens through Nikon USA that has a a Nikon USA warranty then Nikon USA didn’t make any money on it but the repair would cost Nikon USA.