What's the difference between an Imported and a USA lens?

Question: What's the difference between an Imported and a USA lens!?

Is there any difference in quality!? I'm looking at a certain lens I want and the imported version is $10 cheaper!. Is it worth it!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

If you ever have to have the gray market lens or camera repaired, Nikon USA and Canon USA will not touch them!. You will be shipping them to an authorized International repair station !.!.!. even after the warranty has expired !.!. you will be spending money shipping Internationally (insurance is a killer) as well as sending International money orders to cover the cost of repair!. Not worth the small savings to buy gray!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There is no difference!. All the lenses are made in the same place, be it Japan or Germany or wherever!. ALL the lenses are also imported!. The imported label you are thinking about is called a "grey market" lens!. This means the lens was not originally for sale in the US!. It will not have a United States warranty, and may possibly have different markings on it, and possibly an instruction manual that has no English!. The US version, however, will have a full US warranty!.

But the lenses are identical as far as design and function!.

steveWww@QuestionHome@Com

I would say so long as all of the specs are the same, it probably is worth it, unless there is a massive shipping charge or something!. I would look to see if the brand is one you know!. (i!.e!. Canon, Minolta, etc!.) or if it sounds like an off-brand!. Potentially, an off-brand could be of lower quality, or not last as long!.
Other than that, it's kind of a matter of opinion!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

USA has better warranty coverage!. Spend the extra money!.Www@QuestionHome@Com