I am considering the purchase of a Nikon 180mm f/2.8D ED-IF lens. B&H is currently out of stock of the USA version, but does have the grey market version (selling for $85 less than the USA version). I know the general consensus is that the lenses are the same physically, but does anyone have any experience with this lens in regards to durabilty and reliability? Any problems that had to be fixed? Do you recommend waiting for a USA version and spending the extra $85 on a 5-year warranty or should I go for the grey market 1-year warranty and save some money?

-- David Cunningham (dcunningham@attglobal.net), May 12, 2000

Answers

I haven't used the AF version of this lens, but I recerntly purchased a used 180/2.8 ED-IF manual focus lens. This lens is ugly. I'm talking coyote ugly. It has dents. It has scratches. Some of the paint on the inside of the lens hood has rubbed off. The front element has two small nicks. But it takes beautiful photos.

Still, when I upgrade to autofocus I'm spending the extra money on USA equipment. Not only for the extra four years of warranty coverage, but also because some people have reported that Nikon USA refuses to work on grey market equipment. I have no quibble with that. Nikon USA spends a lot of money marketing their gear in this country and they make no money when people buy grey market equipment. They have a right to discourage people from doing so.

Autofocus lenses, due to their complexity, are more likely to need maintenance than are manual focus lenses. This is your decision, but here's one vote for waiting for the USA version.

-- Darron Spohn (dspohn@photobitstream.com), May 12, 2000.

I would not hesitate to get the grey market lens. Even though its true that Nikon USA will not repair grey gear under warranty.

Camera bodies are far more complex than lenses, so there is a good argument for buying Nikon USA imported bodies. But lenses aren't all that complicated. I've not heard many people complaining about needing to get lenses worked on.

Even it you do need repair, lots of people other than Nikon USA can repair lenses, and probably for less money than Nikon USA would charge.

As to the basic facts, Nikkor lenses of any given model, whether imported by Nikon USA or by a parallel importer (like B&H), are identical. They come off the same assembly lines and meet the same standards of quality control.

-- John Wall (john_wall@ncsu.edu), May 12, 2000.

This should be the buyer's individual decision, but I would not hesitate to buy a grey market Nikon lens and would not waste my money on an extended warrenty. If I were buying the 180mm/f2.8, I would go for the grey-market version even though an USA one were available if the difference is $85. Usually lenses are quite reliable, especially for a non-zoom (since zooms have more moving parts). If there are any manufacturing problems, they should appear within the first few weeks, which is covered by B&H's warranty. Beyond that, if your lens is used properly, it is unlikely for problems to appear in the next 5 years. (That is why those extended warranties are excellent deals for the seller but poor deals for the buyer.) In case you get unlucky, many independent repair stores can repair Nikon lenses should any service be needed in the future.

-- Shun Cheung (shun@worldnet.att.net), May 12, 2000.

I bought a refurbished AF 180mm 2.8 non D at a show. These come with a 90 day warranty. I hadn't noticed the scuffs on the front element or the large amount of dust inside of it when I bought it. The pictures I took with it were crappy. I sent it to Nikon's USA repair station. It took awhile to come back but it was worth it. They replaced three pieces in the lens including the front element and now it lives up to it's reputation. Other lenses I've had repaired by Nikon USA are a AF 20mm 2.8 (it rolled off of a car seat onto the floor and was thrown way out of alignment), an AF 85mm 1.8 (almost the same thing, it fell off my sister's lap) and a AF 300mm F4 (bought used but just back from Nikon's professional service). All of these lenses seemed to be better than new after being repaired. That's why I would consider the USA warrantee. Autofocus lenses are definitely sensitive to a little rough handling. There are authorized Nikon repair shops/dealers that can repair Nikon lenses. I don't know if they do as well Nikon USA at Melville, NY.

-- Fred Prince (kingskid@ncia.net), May 12, 2000.