wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

hi, i buy many photographic items from overseas, including Hong Kong. i also sell to lots of folks there. however, the issue is warranty service. Neither Nikon or Canon will service non-United States imported cameras. they will not service them even if you offer to pay.

while the up front savings may be attractive, should anything go south, you'd incurr a great deal of expense and time in having it repaired. also, i'm big on using in country, and especially local resources, when buying my equipment. this way, the few remaining independent businesses stand a chance of surviving. they are also there when you need them for advice, not to mention knowledge of the product.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Online sources indicate that Canon will service their grey market products at the regular rate, but Nikon will not service them at all.

splitsecondimages Loc: Atlanta, GA

Thanks for everyone's response. I did reach out to DigitalRev and they were somewhat vague in advising me about potential duty fee expected if I made the purchase. They did say that it was likely but could not tell me how much the duty fee would be. With such an unknown I'm very reluctant to buy from them.

And finally, I looked at some independent reviews of DigitalRev that had mixed results. Some good, some not so good. As everyone here has said before about any retailer domestic or abroad, buyer beware!

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I found a website that calculates duties and for the lens I want to buy from Hong Kong, it is 2.3%. I think the way the system works is the vendor ships it and if US customs catches it, they bill you. In other words, the vendor is really out of the loop. I hope someone with more experience can confirm this.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I want to thank everyone for their input, both pro and con about buying from abroad. I value everyone's response and lively discussion.

Here is where I am: undecided on two counts.

First, how badly do I want the Sigma 70-200 lens. I am ready to upgrade my glass but how badly do I really want and need it. My 18-200 is terribly convenient and not all that bad. The Sigma is one great big hunk to lug around and be changing it all the time when I already have that range with my walk-around lens. I would like to have it for my grandson's basketball but do I really need it? I have done fine so far. Do I have to do better?

Second, I am up in the air about the repair issue. Ever since I moved from my Mamiya C330 system to Canon film and then digital cameras, I had a camera in only once for a minor warranty matter. When importing, I get the first year warranty work done either here or in Hong Kong. Buying here, I get two extra years. In the event of total failure, Amex covers it. Therefore, my exposure is in the second and third years and the cost of a repair is likely to be less than the savings from buying abroad. I called Sigma and they will service an imported lens. Given my personal history, I am probably willing to take the risk of buying from abroad. Once the local price of the lens goes up $150 tomorrow, I would not buy it here.

Only if I had a crystal ball....

Thanks all and have a happy, healthy and photographic new year.

splitsecondimages Loc: Atlanta, GA

Just curious, why is your proposed lens going up $150 tomorrow? Is the new year bringing us poor photographers new tax increases or something? Obamacare? :-)

If you're still considering the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 this is a lens I am targeting as well as I shoot mostly sporting events. From what I know and have seen this is a very well built lens and you most likely will be very pleased shooting with it especially in indoor loc's (basketball, etc.) as the lighting is typically poor. if you spring for it please share your experiences.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Sigma has a $150 rebate on that lens. All Sigmas current lens rebates are set to expire at midnight tonight.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Please, no politics here. Much nicer without any.

Sigma has a $150 manufacturer's discount posted for the lens and it expires tonight. Check out B&H for it. I could not find a lower retail price anywhere. $1250 going up to $1400. No used ones on eBay yet. A few without OS. I tested one without and for me, the heft of the lens made me unsteady. I returned it and decided that if I bought the lens, it would have to have image stabilization.

splitsecondimages Loc: Atlanta, GA

Thanks for info. on rebate from Sigma, sounds like time is running out to take advantage.

Also, sorry you apparently don't have a sense of humor re: my last comment. Guess I should've expected your sensitivity considering your location. Whatever, Happy New Years to you anyway!

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

I have bought several items from Hong Kong via eBay and have always had good success. My latest purchase was a 32gb thumb drive. Delivery time: ten days from paypal to my front door.
DJM

raysass Loc: Brooklin, On, Canada.

Warranty on Sigma in Canada is 7 years.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

If you buy from HKong, this could be problematic. For a Nikon lens, it is considered to be a grey market. Nikon in the USA will not service grey market items. All items at one point or another WILL NEED service. I would never buy offshore or ever by grey.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

It is a Sigma lens and Sigma USA will service it. I called. However, one of their authorized repair centers will not. Go figure.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Well that should be an indication. You will not know for sure until you actually need service.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

You are absolutely correct. They can change their policy.