JNewell
Leica M Recidivist
haagen_dazs said:
Just the purchase price. Shipping outbound and inbound is on the customer unless KEH made some mistake. This is standard practice here - not sure if that mirrors practice in other countries.
P
PhotoJim
Guest
I've yet to buy a Leica, but I've had good success with KEH.
I've had two problems:
- a BGN-graded Nikkor 135/2.8 AI-converted lens had a seized diaphragm. It's too bad; the lens was otherwise in terrific condition.
- a BGN-graded Nikon F4s camera killed batteries in only about a week, whether used or not. The camera was otherwise in good user condition with no obvious faults.
I've purchased quite a few other BGN-graded pieces from KEH. Each one had a flaw, but it was never horribly serious.
I've now come to prefer EX-graded equipment from KEH where practical (although the odd time, for example 120 backs for Bronica SQ cameras, the EX-rated backs are significantly more costly than BGN-graded so I go to the lower grade). EX-graded stuff is often in fabulous condition.
I just got a pair of EX+-rated 220 Bronica backs. I seriously suspect one of them was never used. I even think the film spool inside it is a Bronica one, not from a roll of film. The other has obviously been used but is in very nice shape.
Give KEH a try. I will probably buy a BGN-graded Leica from them one day.
I've had two problems:
- a BGN-graded Nikkor 135/2.8 AI-converted lens had a seized diaphragm. It's too bad; the lens was otherwise in terrific condition.
- a BGN-graded Nikon F4s camera killed batteries in only about a week, whether used or not. The camera was otherwise in good user condition with no obvious faults.
I've purchased quite a few other BGN-graded pieces from KEH. Each one had a flaw, but it was never horribly serious.
I've now come to prefer EX-graded equipment from KEH where practical (although the odd time, for example 120 backs for Bronica SQ cameras, the EX-rated backs are significantly more costly than BGN-graded so I go to the lower grade). EX-graded stuff is often in fabulous condition.
I just got a pair of EX+-rated 220 Bronica backs. I seriously suspect one of them was never used. I even think the film spool inside it is a Bronica one, not from a roll of film. The other has obviously been used but is in very nice shape.
Give KEH a try. I will probably buy a BGN-graded Leica from them one day.
Thardy
Veteran
If a camera needs recovering or minor work, where would one send it? Roughly how much would it cost?
thomasw_
Well-known
Thardy said:
Recovering is easy peasy; do it yourself. Get them from cameraleather.com or from Aki Asahi. Minor work....depends what you mean? A cleaning, lubrication and adjustment?
tbarker13
shooter of stuff
I've always had very good luck with KEH. In fact, I've been trying to decide whether to add a film M body (after selling the two I had) as kind of a backup for my M8.
If I do, I figure I will either get one from another RFer or wait for a bargain-grade model from KEH.
If I do, I figure I will either get one from another RFer or wait for a bargain-grade model from KEH.
bean_counter
Well-known
Bargain grade M4-P is on the way! I'll run a test roll next week and report back on how things worked out.
Figures, I go to buy my very first M, and RFF is down all weekend....
Figures, I go to buy my very first M, and RFF is down all weekend....
bean_counter
Well-known
Update -
Got it - NICE camera. 2 scuffs on the top plate and one on the shutter speed dial, the usual marks on the base plate, otherwise just fine, much better than I expected. Works flawlessly - focus is fine with the VC Nokton 50/1.5 close up and wide open, speeds seem just fine (tho I have yet to run a roll of chromes through it).
A big thumbs-up from me for KEH bargain grade M's
Got it - NICE camera. 2 scuffs on the top plate and one on the shutter speed dial, the usual marks on the base plate, otherwise just fine, much better than I expected. Works flawlessly - focus is fine with the VC Nokton 50/1.5 close up and wide open, speeds seem just fine (tho I have yet to run a roll of chromes through it).
A big thumbs-up from me for KEH bargain grade M's
Thardy
Veteran
Please show the usual photos of the "new baby".
thomasw_
Well-known
Sounds great cosmetically. Will you be sending it off to Youxin Ye to get it CLA'd? I highly recommend it. It will be money well spent 
bean_counter
Well-known
Yeah, I'll get around to photos soon.
And no, no CLA until I play with it awhile first
And no, no CLA until I play with it awhile first
regularchickens
Well-known
My recent "EX" M2 purchase from KEH seems more like it should be a "BGN." Shutter speeds are all on (I did a reciprocity test) and curtains are perfect, but it's got a nick on top, brassing from a meter and tripod mount, vulcanite repair spots, a sloppily repainted back door, and other general brassing here and there. On top of that, the shutter button has started getting sticky - a day after the return window ran out. I'll be sending it to Youxin Ye next week for a CLA, but I've thought more than a few times about selling this body for one in slightly better order.
But complaints aside, it's been a fine user so far, and I'll save my lust for a nice, clean, metered body somewhere down the line.
But complaints aside, it's been a fine user so far, and I'll save my lust for a nice, clean, metered body somewhere down the line.