Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
01-17-2009, 08:59 AM   #1
Veteran Member
seacapt's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: North Carolina , USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,271
DA16-45 Grey Market?

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.


I'm considering the purchase of a 16-45 but I'm on a real tight budget. The price has come down significantly and I've also seen some rputable camera stores selling what they admit are "grey market" lenses for even less.So whats the deal are these lenses the same except for a non US serial # or are they inferior lenses?

01-17-2009, 09:03 AM   #2
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jun 2007
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 597
From what I understand, if you get a gray item, you won't be able to avail of the Pentax warranty. Best case, in-store warranty only...
01-17-2009, 09:11 AM   #3
Veteran Member
seacapt's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: North Carolina , USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,271
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by leadbelly Quote
From what I understand, if you get a gray item, you won't be able to avail of the Pentax warranty. Best case, in-store warranty only...
I know that Pentax of America will not honor warranty but my question is are the lenses the same?
01-17-2009, 11:45 PM   #4
Veteran Member
alohadave's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Quincy, MA
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,024
QuoteOriginally posted by seacapt Quote
I know that Pentax of America will not honor warranty but my question is are the lenses the same?
Yes, they are the same, it was just originally sold outside the US. That's the only difference.

01-18-2009, 12:27 AM   #5
Veteran Member
philbaum's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA
Posts: 3,659
QuoteOriginally posted by seacapt Quote
I'm considering the purchase of a 16-45 but I'm on a real tight budget. The price has come down significantly and I've also seen some rputable camera stores selling what they admit are "grey market" lenses for even less.So whats the deal are these lenses the same except for a non US serial # or are they inferior lenses?
Here's a thought. Used Pentax compatible lenses seem to me to sell for a premium, whether on ebay or this forum's marketplace.

Reputable firms, like Prodigital from Canada, allow a 7 day return for deficient product. I assume, that even for grey market lenses, that vendors will allow that same short period for return of any deficient lenses. I would insist on this 7 day return policy in case of focus problems which many have reported.

Other than that 7 day return period, used lenses are no different from "grey lenses" except that the grey lenses are in new condition. Excuse me because this wasn't your original question, and my understanding is that they are the same lenses, except that PENTAX usa won't honor warranty on them.

I've bought 6 new lenses for my K10, some Pentax, Tamron, Sigma. I haven't had to use a warranty repair on any of them.

If you can get a substantial price reduction on a gray market lens from a vendor that offers some kind of immediate return policy for defective stuff, then i think its a credible way to go and am considering it myself in the future.
01-18-2009, 01:59 AM   #6
Senior Member




Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Central Canada
Posts: 156
Henry's Toronto has it on ebay for buy it price of 297 CAN$. maybe a price error?
SMC PENTAX-DA 16-45mm f4 ED-AL/K20D/K10D/K200D/NEW - eBay (item 220343952680 end time Jan-19-09 18:45:35 PST)
01-18-2009, 06:29 AM   #7
Veteran Member




Join Date: May 2007
Location: York Region Canada
Posts: 641
QuoteOriginally posted by kevinfox203 Quote
Henry's Toronto has it on ebay for buy it price of 297 CAN$. maybe a price error?
SMC PENTAX-DA 16-45mm f4 ED-AL/K20D/K10D/K200D/NEW - eBay (item 220343952680 end time Jan-19-09 18:45:35 PST)
That's $297 US dollars.The conversion is $357 +- Canadian dollars, which is a few bucks cheaper than normal.

Dave

Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
k-mount, lenses, pentax lens, slr lens
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Wedding zoom? Da16-50/Da16-45/Da17-70/Fa28-70/Sigma17-70??? JayR Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 20 03-18-2010 10:30 AM
IBuy Digital advertises USA - sells Grey Market! TomInJax Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 8 01-25-2008 09:21 AM
Grey Market Lens from B&H, Adorama & Etc. Ed in GA Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 9 01-01-2008 04:44 PM
Grey market cameras and lenses JCSullivan General Talk 4 10-04-2007 09:53 AM
Brown and grey NaClH2O Post Your Photos! 1 02-27-2007 06:23 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:16 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top