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AR15.COM
11/25/2007 5:32:31 PM EDT
I'm getting ready to get the Canon 10-22 lens for my 40D.  I was browsing on B&H's site and they showed a imported version and a USA version.  There was a difference in price but they seemed the same to me.  Which one do I need?  Does one provide any benefits over the other?
11/25/2007 6:01:33 PM EDT
[#1]
I'd like to give you a gentle reminder and to anyone else that posts here,
the standard spelling of the word is  "lens" when it is singular.

What B&H (and many other dealers) offer are 'grey market' lenses.
They may have different accessories. The packaging and documentation may not be in English.
It might be a different color. It might even have different spec's.
Often you cannot register them or get warranty service.

That's why they are usually cheaper. Always ask what the difference is.
They may not know if the item is drop shipped.

Technically those goods are not intended for sale in the U.S.

Colonel Hurtz
11/25/2007 6:04:19 PM EDT
[#2]
The link from B&H: Grey Market

The way the warranty works is much of the difference.

At B&H they provide the warranty for the grey market item and you ship it to them for service rather than Canon.

"If you should experience a problem with a product sold with a USA warranty, it can be sent to any of the manufacturer’s worldwide authorized service facilities for servicing. A "direct import" or grey market item would have to be returned to B&H Photo-Video if it required in-warranty attention."

11/25/2007 7:41:07 PM EDT
[#3]
Thanks for the replies.  I got impatient and found the answer thanks to google.  The USA models are actually cheaper right now anyway since Canon is offering an instant rebate on certain models and the 10-22 lens is one of them.  It is eligible for a $50 instant rebate.  I just wanted to make sure that I ordered the right one and didn't screw myself over in the long run.
11/26/2007 7:33:37 AM EDT
[#4]
I avoid gray-market lenses since USUALLY, the price difference isn't all that significant.  (A few percent or less)

If you ever go to sell a lens, the buyer will almost always want to know if it is gray-market.  Resale price will likely be affected.