shopping question (not which camera should I buy)

[Mache62]

So I was shopping for a macro lens on B&H and noticed that some of the canon lenses say imported and some say USA.....for the same 100mm macro lens.

Can anyone tell me why or what the difference is?

TIA!

 

[BlueCorn]

Warranty. USA lenses are designed for the US market and carry the full Canon factory warranty. The "Imported" lenses are the same product but not packaged for the US. They carry a warranty from the store that you buy them; i.e. you can't send them to Canon for service without paying for it. They are frequently referred to as "grey market."

 

[swjim]

The imported (aka grey market) lenses aren't directly imported by Canon USA and aren't guranteed to carry a Canon warranty.

More info here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Gray-Market.aspx

 

[Mache62]

ah..got ya. Thanks for clearing that up!