How can I tell if my Canon is official UK or grey import?

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Hi all,

Before I purchased my new Canon I made sure of asking the store if it's an official UK model.

They assured me it was and they didn't sell grey imports.

However, it came today with a 2 pin leads and a grubby UK plug added to the pack. The last time I bought a UK model it came with a UK plug from Canon.

Is there away to confirm in case I go 'off it' for no good reason? :)

All the best
 
Is there a Canon UK warranty card in the box?
 
I'm not sure to be honest. There's a 'You Connect' form with no mention off warranty etc and the instructions could easily come from any box. No warranty card unless it's in the sealed instructions?

I was hoping the codes on the camera could confirm.

The plug that the store put in the box is as tatty as can be and I know Canon usually supply their own UK plug.

Bit miffed as it's put doubt in my mind.
 
Did you ask why they put a tatty three pin plug lead in the box?

Perhaps contact Canon UK and ask them, does sound a bit suspect though, was this a high st store?
 
Not yet...just asking here before I do :)

It was online but a proper store (they're a chain). It's called Calumet Photography.
 
Calumet should be okay.

Has it got a big CE marked on the baseplate?
 
Calumet are a highly reputable if not too cheap Uk dealership.

My 5D2 body came from them and is a genuine Uk model. It never had a warranty card but was in a sealed box.

Was the box you got sealed when it arrived, whats the shutter count.

You can find the true shutter count with EOSINFO

I suspect it's the genuine article but ring Canon at Elstree if your worried, they are okay to deal with.
 
HoppyUK said:
Calumet should be okay.

Has it got a big CE marked on the baseplate?
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Yes...which shows it's for the European market (do they not put in on all to save on production?).

Nawty said:
Sounds dodgy to me, non-uk plug :thinking:
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This is what's thrown me. Even with the CE mark it was obviously stock for the continent as I've had UK ones that have the proper plug.

I'll contact them but they are very poor on communications once cash is paid.

No need for them to open the box on UK stock to be fair.

It may be all fine but it's put doubt in my head :lol:
 
ChrisH said:
Calumet are a highly reputable if not too cheap Uk dealership.

My 5D2 body came from them and is a genuine Uk model. It never had a warranty card but was in a sealed box.

Was the box you got sealed when it arrived, whats the shutter count.

You can find the true shutter count with EOSINFO

I suspect it's the genuine article but ring Canon at Elstree if your worried, they are okay to deal with.
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Cheers bud :thumbs:

I already have EOSINFO so I'll take a look.
 
I think that if you try to register it on the Canon UK website, it will be rejected if it is a grey.
 
If your really concerned couldn't you take it back to your nearest branch and ask them to exchange it for a new sealed box?
 
Oggy said:
I think that if you try to register it on the Canon UK website, it will be rejected if it is a grey.
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I've just register it but to be fair it doesn't reject it even if you put in nonsense (I tried) :)

mj4456 said:
If your really concerned couldn't you take it back to your nearest branch and ask them to exchange it for a new sealed box?
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I bought online as there isn't a local one near me.

I've emailed them and I'll see what they say. It's clearly meant for the continent but if I'm covered by the correct UK warranty and correct length...it'll be ok. Unless this is a return! :rules:

I appreciate all of the input guys :D
 
If it has a CE mark, which it apparently has, then that's as UK as it gets - they only have a few international zones, Central Europe, Asia, US etc.

Check the charger, that's CE marked too. Maybe they put a US market one in there for some reason - Calumet have US and German and Dutch outfits.
 
You should have a sticker on the back/bottom with serial number etc.

Your best bet would be to contact canon themselves and ask them if its genuine. They'll check using the serial code.

Hope that helps
 
Canon stock in the UK, especially the 7D, has been low lately because of the Japanese earthquake. Maybe they got a few shipped over from their German or Dutch stock :shrug:

Paul
 
HoppyUK said:
If it has a CE mark, which it apparently has, then that's as UK as it gets - they only have a few international zones, Central Europe, Asia, US etc.

Check the charger, that's CE marked too. Maybe they put a US market one in there for some reason - Calumet have US and German and Dutch outfits.
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My 7d is a grey bought from DigitalRev. Both the camera and charger are CE marked. So I wouldn't use this as any indication of it's UKness.
 
No idea if it's any help to you but when I bought my 550D (purchased in the UK not Germany) inside the sealed box was indeed both the UK power lead and the continental 2 pin cord. Which I was obviously pleased about! Maybe it's now standard practice to include both?
 
SteveRob said:
My 7d is a grey bought from DigitalRev. Both the camera and charger are CE marked. So I wouldn't use this as any indication of it's UKness.
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That's interesting. What kind of plug was on the charger?

Confused now, maybe it's only the Rebel/Kiss variants that are differently marked? :thinking:

For warranty purposes, all Canon UK are interested in is a receipt from a UK-based supplier.
 
HoppyUK said:
That's interesting. What kind of plug was on the charger?

Confused now, maybe it's only the Rebel/Kiss variants that are differently marked? :thinking:

For warranty purposes, all Canon UK are interested in is a receipt from a UK-based supplier.
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My charger does not have the figure 8 style socket on the side. Instead it has two flat pins that fold out from the bottom of the charger and fit into an adapter similar to those used by shavers etc. I'll post a pic when I get home if I need to.
 
I have a kerso 7D so it is a US import. The charger is a US style flip out plug which sounds the same as SteveRobs. It does NOT have a CE mark on it. The camera DOES have a CE mark. The chargers will differ country to country, but the camera will be the same.
 
I've got 3 Canon chargers here, two with the flip out plug.

One is CE marked (my 7d one) one isn't. The non CE one is for my S90 which I got 2nd hand.
 
Some great replies here :) I did think the CE mark would have been on them all.

Anywho, I got a good thorough email back from Calumet and sent photos as per request.

On further investigation, apart from the old plug thrown in, the original seals were broken and someone had made the effort to carefully remove one and place it on the inside of the lid (clearly forgetting to put it back). Also the battery pack had been opened and the 60D strap is missing.

I really don't think this is anything underhanded by Calumet. I think something has gotten mixed up somewhere and I've ended up with a customer return. Maybe their distributor.

Anywho, I'll sit tight and wait to hear what they say after seeing the pics. There will be no doubt in their mind why I'm concerned about the newness of this.

So far they've acted very good :)
 
I bought a 7D from a high street shop a week ago, the box was still security sealed and when The guy in the shop opened it up so I could check it all and there was a 2 pin cable in there as well as the uk cable.It has the CE Mark on the bottom of the camera too.
 
If the camera comes from the EU then you will be fine. Canon can't call any EU sourced model a grey import, and Canon UK are part of Canon Europe.

So a two pin plug could well be an EU sourced model.

In the shrink wrapped manual pack, there should be a packing slip visible that states the country of origin, in so far as the country the camera was intended for.

As long as it is an EU country, you should have no problem with Canon honouring any warranty.
 
Just got this sorted.

Calumet were outstanding throughout. I got personal phone calls from higher staff and constant emails from different departments.

Seriously, these guys really put up with me and were as apologetic as can be.

I believe them when they said they have no idea how it ended up with grubby bits and missing bits.

Anywho...they paid for it to be picked up and returned. As soon as it got back I was refunded. Not a day later etc...within the hour.

Sat and pondered my next move and decided to wipe out my earlier decision which made me chose the 60D (wanted full frame but was going to wait for the 5d MK III/6D)...and bought a brand new 5D MKII. Why compromise? If you're after full frame...get it...right? :lol:

It may be an oldish model now but it's going to be perfect for me and will love my 2 lenses.

Thanks to Calumet for being outstanding as far as customer care is concerned. I'm a huge shopper and they have impressed me. :thumbs:
 
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Reading through the thread I was just about to post that Calumet are a stand up company and would put things right but no need for that now. Instead, congratulations on a set of circumstances that led to a terrific result. The 5D2 is superb and much better to get it now than wait for who knows how long for a 5D3.
 
Good to hear about good customer service. Mistakes can be made but its how things are handled that makes the difference. (Also good to hear good reports about Calumet as the local branch of their chain is where I buy stuff - have to say I've got excellent service from them too.)
 
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