JeffinMass Loc: MA

"Regular Nikon lenses are made in China and Malaysia, those gray market lenses are manufactured in North Korea by forced child labor". Can you please let me know where you got your source?

So what you are saying is that Nikon ED gray lenses are manufactured in North Korea under the odd dictator's watch? I just want to make sure we are perfectly clear on this and that you are not spreading rumors on here say.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

B+H DOES SELL GREY!!! side by side with USA, They call it imported. Here is some that comes both ways and look at the words in the links "GREY"

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/36919-GREY/Nikon_1416_Wide_Angle_24mm_f_2_8.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/36856-GREY/Nikon_1455_Telephoto_105mm_f_2_8_Micro.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/36976-GREY/Nikon_1435_NIKKOR_Normal_50mm_f_1_2.html

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Don't you love people who read only half a post and then spout nonsense because they did not read the WHOLE post. Please go back and read the second paragraph that starts with seriously. Then, after you read the entire post, you can make a more intelligent response. Thank you.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Yes, B&H does sell grey market, and they are marked the way you say.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You're kidding, right?

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

They are exactly the same but go through different sales channels. Its intended to protect prices and their preferred retailers.

The difference being that for warrantee work it would need to be sent back to the country of that sales channel. There are unauthorized repair services available here in the states that as just a capable as Nikon but do not do warrantee work. The better retailers offer separate warrantees at an additional cost.

Its really a short sighted practice on the part of the OEM since it creates opportunities for competitive service centers and parts suppliers.

Is there a risk in buying GM, of course, although a small one unless you are careless, unlucky or just abuse the equipment. If you are strapped for cash it might be a good alternative.

Be aware that some retailers cheat and provide GM with out telling you, especially the ones that advertise low prices. Avoid these retailers. The good ones will tell you up front if it GM or USA.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

They are the same lens made in the same factory. The difference is that the US lens will have the ability to be repaired (if necessary) under warranty or out of warranty. If the grey market lens fails, it will NOT be repaired by Nikon USA and most of the other repair facilities will also not touch it because Nikon USA will NOT replace parts the other companies use on NON-US products. The reasons for this policy are irrelevant, it is the policy. If you purchase grey market (and many do) you are betting that the lens (or grey market camera) will never need repair. Two of my cameras have been in the in the shop for repairs (1 under warranty and the other out of warranty) and 1 of my lenses has (under warranty). The D70s was in the shop 2 years ago for an electrical issue which cost me $70 for repair. Yes, I could have purchased another used D70s or something else but I knew what the issues were with this one. The next time the D70s goes in, Nikon will tell me that the cost of repair is higher than the camera is worth and to just salvage it. If or when that happens, Nikon is generally nice enough to not charge me the shipping to get the camera back.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

This is incorrect. Do adequate research before making statements like this.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I have a couple of prime lenses, one of which gets used. I have a whole pile of zoom lenses, all of which get used. The prime lens probably accounts for 3% of my shots. The zoom lenses just are so much more convenient when it comes to composition.

I have never had to have a lens repaired, either prime or zoom. Since about 1950.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

There is a price difference between the US and grey market lenses. US lenses are imported by Nikon USA and they take a piece of the action. That subsidizes their repair facility. Grey market lenses may or may not be made in the same factory, but they are imported by people other than Nikon USA, so Nikon USA gets no income from those sales and so they will not support them. Non-support extends to sales of parts.

So it's true that if you purchase a grey market lens you are betting that it will not need repair. The price difference is insurance. I have always bought US lenses, but on the other hand I have never had to have a lens repaired. I've been shooting since around 1950 (but not using the same lenses all that time).

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

A grey market or a genuine import lens of the same brand are equally good since as you said they are made in the same factory. With the genuine imported lens you get a warranty.
If there are places that will fix the imported gray lens under warranty that I do not really know.

Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown

Gray market or non-gray market... ask yourself...how much are you really saving?

agillot

same lens , may have different writing on it , Nikon usa did not get a piece of the action [ money ] when the lens was sold , so , as a punishment you are fired !

JR69 Loc: Wolverine Michigan

If Nikon builds Lens in North Korea with child labor, then Nikon needs to shut that plant down!! If they don't, Shame on them, I have a problem with that. Lens, camera's come down an assembly line. They are the same lens. One will go to to U.S. the next to Canada, the next will stay in Japan. Do they use fine ground glass for the lens that goes to the US and a cheaper less refined glass for the lens that goes to Canada or Japan? No.. Are the switches cheaper in one lens or the other? NO.. It's about warranty, and who imports them. If I buy a ford (new or used) in the U.S. and then my employer transfers me to Japan and I ship my car there, pay import fees, dutys ect. A Ford dealership in Japan will fix that car either under warranty or if not under I would have to pay for it. It is a Ford Car !!~ If I buy a lens from a private owner in Japan and import that lens thru customs, pay any duties necessary Nikon should pay for the repairs if under a warranty or I would have to pay for said repairs. A Nikon lens is a Nikon lens.
Yes the big 2 brick and mortar stores in NY do sell grey market equipment. How is that even possible???
I am in the market, and had a topic going a few days ago for a 300mm f2.8 G VR lens. I am looking at the #2154.. One lens from Japan and one from a KEH, with serial numbers in hand I call Nikon and they will not tell me if they are U.S or grey. They tell me to send the lens in and they will then let me know. I entered the 2 lens into my camera bag at Nikonusa.com and the camera bag accepts both lens in my bag even the Japan lens, and the seller in Japan said he assumes it was sold originally in Japan. The lens from KEH, the salesman said "he doesn't know the pedigre of the lens, it's a nikon. People come in to sell their equipment, they don't have boxes, original sales receipts or warranty cards. Some time they are service men buying a lens while over seas and bringing it back to the states." So the stores have no idea if the product is grey or U.S. People have told me to then buy new.. Well I am sorry I don't want to spend $5,500 for a new lens when I should be able to buy a used lens out of warranty lens for $3,000. and I will pay for any repairs if I need them. A Nikon lens is a Nikon lens. I will have paid any duties when importing that lens if it is from out of the country. It is corrupt of Nikon TO NOT TELL ME if a lens that I have a serial number for is grey or US

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Asked and answered already. 35%.