Why is this lens almost $200 less than comperable? Is it grey market?
2000731
Dear, Shop Deals USA products are all USA. We are an authorized dealer. We can offer you $100 discount if you would like to purchase the lens. Thank you!
435063
Short answer .. no, it is not a poor choice as a rugged startup lens under budget. It's a good value. It does require good light or flash (watch for lens shadow). Since IS only battles camera shake, put a tripod in the bag and you've got your IS. Later on you will sell the 18-200 in favor of a copy with IS and somewhat sharper results, but you'll come back from your trip with some very nice photos, none-the-less. Enjoy the experience.
1610952
If the lens is sold by Amazon.com, it will be the USA version. If it's sold on Amazon by a third party, verify with them that it is not grey market.
487012
It may also be the case that you are looking at used or refurbished lenses. I bought one used, it is like new and an excellent lens for low price. Best regards
1790228
Honestly, there are some available on ebay with buyer protection (but I understand why you would want to get it from the above places instead). The 70-200mm is a great lens, but if you have your heart set on this particular lens you should wait to get this one :) I just ordered one from ebay but I did my research on the seller first.
356777
It depends on what $200 is worth to you. Assuming you just have the 18-55mm for a season, will the loss of pictures zoomed between and including 1x to 2x in addition to the ability to get that without changing lens with the higher quality of extra low dispersion (ED), be less than $200 to you?
1221909
Not gray market , you can register to canon website this lens. Got my "new"never been use . I am happy and save a lot of money.
1609778
Good timing on your question, because DPReview.com JUST posted their review last week on that lens:http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/tamron_70-200_2p8_c16/Optically it appears to be quite good. AF is slow and noisy, but for 694 bucks at Amazon you can't beat the price if budget is a concern.
1451391
Matthew, Sigma has released information of a replacement lens which will hit the market towards the end of March. the lens is priced at $499 and boasts significant upgrades to almost every aspect of the lens. With that being said the price of this version of the lens has been slashed (lucky people like me found it for $289). I would consider your need for this type of lens. Most of the bad reviews come from earlier models of this particular version (matted black Vs smooth black). The defective lens's rightfully so get poor reviews, however the functioning models get high praise. I have tested the sharpness and autofocus and my unit is perfectly fine. I decided that $500 was too much for a new lens and $289 was a bargain for its older brother. If you look around you may still find that clearance price. I hope this helped!
415360
Why the sudden price increase from $430 to $489 everywhere? This lens is totally not worth that price.
990406
Some USA camera stores have the 35/1.8 AF-S lens in stock right now for $200. Forget about the price gougers.
313060
The first two answers are spot on. I bought this lens because it is far less expensive and I use a tripod most of the time.
348564
Mine does not appear to be gray market. It was however shipped in a box for the body and lens kit with the lens removed. That is it appeared to be a package that was broken up and sold sepatately.
33266
The lens I got from "Another Deal Site" was Gray Market as confirmed by Tamron-usa customer service. It has no warranty and Tamron-usa will not repair it. So, buy at your own risk. I have also talked to Amazon Customer service and they are looking into it. This lens sells for $749 on B&H; (US warranty) so you have to decide if the warranty and support is worth the extra $180.
775681
It is genuine lens, made in Japan and imported. I don't buy expensive things from grey market.
1622872
I believe this is what they call "gray market" if it is then it is a Canon lens but canon will NOT service it for free for the first year. Even the US lenses are not serviced for free after the first year
1221910
The one I purchased was not Gray Market -- it was a white box Canon lens -- broken out from a kit package with the 6D.