Buying a Zeiss 25mm ZM lens - big price disparity - why?

[Kodachromeguy]

Hi Everyone,
I want to buy a Zeiss 25mm ƒ/2.8 ZM lens. The USA new price is about $1300 with warranty. But several vendors in Japan (and, maybe, USA) are offering new in box or like new in box units for $700 or so, or about half. What am I missing, why is there such a spread? Has the USA price drastically increased recently? Or is there a glut of used Zeiss merchandise? Should I pay an extra $500 or $600 for the peace of mind for a warranty? I have read the warnings about the Zeiss wobble and subsequent advice to get newish units. Thanks for advice.

 

[Richard Man]

The Zeiss wobble only affects some lens. I have this lens for 8-10 years now and have no problems. Zeiss optics are really sharp.

 

[Bushcat]

Maybe a bit of home market advantage: made by Cosina, distributed by Kenko Tokina, in a market where the yen has plummeted against the dollar. Assuming I'm talking about the same lens, list is JPY 115,000 but even Amazon has it way below that. Maybe the international pricing was set when JPY 110 = USD 1.