Cameras,, grey imports. Would you, have you?

I asked the same question on BB as I couldn’t find this forum.

I’m still dithering on cameras, specifically the om-5

Would you consider a grey import from the likes of hdew or cotswold cameras?

The major downside that I can see is that the warranty is just with that shop but still 3 years . Current saving today is £500, so £1000 instead of £1500.

Yes I am a berk for missing the cashback deal.

Bought an Olympus lens from HDew over the phone. Really easy to deal with and shipped it out same day as I needed it for a trip.

I was about to warranty my em5 with Olympus but it actually means shipping it off to Portugal with the disclaimer of if we don’t think it’s a warranty job we will charge you. Thats a bit of a gamble on my camera as I got it from eBay almost brand new and have added the original owners receipt to the Olympus system. In this case it’s a common easy fix I can do at home.

I would buy from HDew again and go with their warranty. At least you can speak to the over the phone and the camera doesn’t need shipped around the world.

I bought a Canon 5D Mark III a few years ago from a grey importer, DigitalRev based in Hong Kong. They were fine, had no issues. Bought through their website and it arrived a week or so later. Not sure if they are still on the go.

Bought some lenses from E-Infinity/E-Infin and had no issues with them either. Same as above, no idea if they are still trading.

Olympus have an offer on this week with some discounts. I got an email from them saying that with their offer code the price of an OM-1 and the 12-40 F2.8 Pro II lens combo was down to £1299. https://explore.omsystem.com/gb/en/singles-day-promotion

I went second hand via CEX, they have 5 year warranty !!

How good that warranty is, in reality, who knows ?

But maybe the compromise you are looking for ?

Bought before from HDew, no issues. Cameras and lenses.

I bought a couple of lenses from Hongkong  before Brexit, cant remember the shop though but it was recommended from here.

I’ve bought 3 cameras from Panamoz. No issues, fast delivery & massive saving.

I got my Canon 100-400L as a grey import, the only concern is if something goes wrong within warranty, in which case it’s a bit more of a pain. Since I’ve never had a lens go wrong anyway I figured it was a worthwhile option as it saved a heap of money. Lens has been perfect.

Have bought lenses from E-Infinity and a camera body from HDEW in the past and had no problems with either, was aware and willing to take the risk when it came to warranty etc. Tend to now go second-hand through MPB instead as there’s nothing I’m desperate to buy new!

The OM cashbacks come back continuously so just wait a bit – make sure you are on the OM mailing list and follow on Insta if you can so you don’t miss them.

They also pop discounts on their refurb kit to mailing list peeps as well from time to time – I bought a refurb E-M1mk3 for £650 last year and that came with the full factory warranty.

Never bought grey.

Current camera R6 from canon with cashback.

Lenses

17-40 eBay

70-200 new 15yeara ago

100 macro MPB

300 F4 market place outside a pub

1.4 Tele market place in a petrol station

50 1.8stm new not a fan, lives under the bed. Not really worth selling

I’m sure OM Systems will have another cashback deal soon, they seem to come around quite regularly. Just bought a 1.4 teleconverter at 80 quid off on their current singles offer, not as cheap as grey imports but around average 2nd hand price. I too missed the cashback on a lens but will wait until another offer comes in. The OM1 is a steal at £1299 as they are clearing the mk1 out I assume.

Thanks all. My instinct is to wait. Chances are it will be fine but I want to take the camera travelling so it might have a slightly harder environmental life. So perhaps I should wait

But then I read from OM that there will be no more cashback deals this year.

OM system cash back deals back on from Wex  Tempted by the 12-100 pro lens

How can you work out if a camera is grey? I’ve bought several bodies and lenses off Amazon EU SARL, which always seem to come from the Netherlands. I never have an issue speaking to the manufacturer either getting support or service though. Nikon, OM System and Fujifilm.

I’ve bought a lens through E-Infinity, no probs at all, just much cheapness for a f/1.4 lens that is never reduced in Europe.