Grey market lens ? I purchased a 50mm F1.4 lens from B&H. It was not advertised as grey market. Looking closely at the web page it says "imported" but then all Nikon products are...

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I purchased a 50mm F1.4 lens from B&H. It was not advertised as grey market. Looking closely at the web page it says "imported" but then all Nikon products are imported from Japan, so that didn't trigger an alarm with me.

web page that the lens was purchased from:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/97413-GREY/Nikon_1902_AF_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_4D.html

Yet when attempting to register it with Nikon, I noticed it does not have a serial number. Nor was there a warranty on the included paperwork. It says "made in china" on the lens. No warranty no serial number. It must be a grey market lens. And I don't want it. I have requested a refund from B&H. I will advise the results, here.

wolfman

JD750 wrote:

I purchased a 50mm F1.4 lens from B&H. It was ... (show quote)

When it says "imported", it's "gray market". There shouldn't be a problem getting a refund, however you may get stuck paying the return shipping.

Robeng Loc: California

JD750 wrote:

I purchased a 50mm F1.4 lens from B&H. It was ... (show quote)

Couple of things, Nikon serial numbers are hard to find on the lens. You just have to look hard. It's there. If you are a member of NPS, Nikon will still register the lens as part of your gear. If not you're out of luck.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

wolfman wrote:

When it says "imported", it's "gray market". There shouldn't be a problem getting a refund, however you may get stuck paying the return shipping.

Yeah I should have known that, and the price was too good. I feel a little foolish now. I will advise results on the request for a refund.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Robeng wrote:

Couple of things, Nikon serial numbers are hard to find on the lens. You just have to look hard. It's there. If you are a member of NPS, Nikon will still register the lens as part of your gear. If not you're out of luck.

I have many Nikkor lenses. I looked this one over very carefully, in bright sunlight. There is no serial number on this one.

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

JD750 wrote:

I purchased a 50mm F1.4 lens from B&H. It was ... (show quote)

On B&H, imported means grey market. If it says nothing it is USA. If you look at the link you included in your post there is GREY in capital letters. On the side bar on the B&H web site you can select "USA" and none of the grey market choices will be shown. Contact B&H and explain the situation, they will probably accommodate you in exchanging it for a USA lens.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I just received the RMA from B&H. It's going back today.

$11 for return shipping, my penalty for not paying attention. I will be much more circumspect when purchasing from them in the future.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Mac wrote:

On B&H, imported means grey market. If it says nothing it is USA. If you look at the link you included in your post there is GREY in capital letters. On the side bar on the B&H web site you can select "USA" and none of the grey market choices will be shown. Contact B&H and explain the situation, they will probably accommodate you in exchanging it for a USA lens.

It does have GREY in the link! Sheese. I have learned my lesson.

Sidebar? Ok I will look for that in the future. Thank you for the tip.

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

JD750 wrote:

It does have GREY in the link! Sheese. I have learned my lesson.

Sidebar? Ok I will look for that in the future. Thank you for the tip.

The 50mm is an outstanding lens. I have the f/1.8 version, you will enjoy using it. Have fun.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Mac wrote:

The 50mm is an outstanding lens. I have the f/1.8 version, you will enjoy using it. Have fun.

?? I'm sending it back because it's grey market. I don't want a grey market lens.

FYI - I have the 50mm, f1.8 as well and I love it that is why I purchased the faster version.

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

JD750 wrote:

?? I'm sending it back because it's grey market. I don't want a grey market lens.

FYI - I have the 50mm, f1.8 as well and I love it that is why I purchased the faster version.

thraso

There is nothing wrong with the gray market products, except the warranty of course. I have been having great luck with these lenses. Still heavily use one for four or so years, no issues. Yet I am glad your issue was resolved to your satisfaction. BH is a great company, very customer oriented and they sell great products.

repleo Loc: Boston

The gray market lens has the same SKU and manufacturers number as the US version - just $35 cheaper. They are identical lenses. Click on the question mark beside the 'Imported' and it will take you to B&H policies. The warranty is identical to the OEM warranty except that you would send it back to B&H instead of having the option of sending it to a Nikon service center. I would expect that if buying a lens from a reputable company like B&H you would send it to B&H anyway.

This whole Nikon 'no service for gray market' business is just a scare tactic to keep the profits flowing through Nikon USA. The sooner Nikon faithful wake up to this and protest the better.

Still if you are prepared to spend an extra $35 plus $11 shipping for a $300 lens just for peace of mind go ahead and do it. I don't know why you would expect to need warranty service on a 50mm prime lens. If you had to send it back to B&H for warranty service they would probably just send you a new one anyway.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/Policies.jsp#greyMarket

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

If I recall correctly from a couple of years ago, the serial number is engraved with small numbers into the black finish. Very hard to see.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

OddJobber wrote:

If I recall correctly from a couple of years ago, the serial number is engraved with small numbers into the black finish. Very hard to see.

I looked it over very closely in bright sunlight, twice. It's quite easy to see on my 50mm f1.8 under the same conditions. But it has been confirmed it is a grey market. So it's going back.

B&H sent me a return authorization and it is packed up and I am taking it to the post office right now.