Any experience with KEH and Tamarkin?

C

CC72

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Hi Everybody,

I'm thinking of getting a used Leica M body from either the KEH or Tamarkin website. Has anybody had experience with them? Are they reliable? Ratings accurate? This is my first RF M purchase.

Thanks in advance.

CC
 
I have bought a leica m6ti from Tamarkin, bought it personally from them. The sales staff were excellent and let me handle probably well over 20 cameras before I chose one. Very nice guys. I would recommend them again!

As for KEH, as far as I know the general consensus is that they way underrate all their cameras - for instance heaps of people on this forum have bought stuff in "bargain" condition and when it arrives they can't see any wear or reason why it would be anything less than EXC.

You can't go wrong with either of them I'd think

Cheers,
Gavin
 
Best place to buy is right here from the classifieds. If you can be patient you'll find a very good deal from someone who knows and really appreciates what they are selling. It just might take a while to get what you are looking for or to get it before someone else grabs it!
 
I've had nothing but good luck with KEH, can't say the same for Tamarkin. I've bought quite a few thing from KEH and always purchase through Arthur Zebrak. He's given me great service and will take care of you. Lot's of KEH Bargain rated cameras are pretty nice. I think other members have bought M's from them and were happy.
Tamarkin on the other hand, sold me an M4-2 that was rated a 9 or 9+ . When I got it, the body was rough , viewfinder had haze and needed a CLA.
Randy
 
I have spent several thousand dollars at KEH with no complaints whatsoever. Never dealt with Tamarkin so I can't good or bad about them..
 
Thanks a lot for your valuable input. Can you reccomend any others? Of course, my first choice is to go with the RFF Classifieds or Tony Rose of Popflash but in case you know any others...?

CC
 
I should begin by pointing out that I live in Toronto, & that I think thomasw was lucky with KEH. I should also mention that I called them before buying my M3, & had someone there describe the camera. She couldn’t figure out why it was rated BGN, it looked so nice. Superficially, it does. It arrived with no take up spool. I figured my tech guy would have one, so I went directly to him. He didn't, but tested the cam. (KEH did send me a take up spool upon request.) Shutter speeds were off, so because I had already paid $80 PST & GST plus about $20 for shipping just to pick the camera up, I figured just get the shutter fixed. I stupidly didn't test it immediately after it was fixed, and it sat for too long.
There was also: 1] a light leak 2] frame preview sticking on the 135 setting 3] the winder clutch slipped 4] someone had used the wrong tool on both the frame counter & the flash connector, so they're scratched & ugly (though I only care about the frame counter) 5] I went to a 2nd tech guy about the light leak, & among other things he also finished fixing the shutter, which still squeaked. The 2nd guy managed to revive this abused puppy (I can now read the frame counter) so that it's usable, but I don't think there would be a line-up to buy it. By the time I realised I should have sent the camera back straight from the FEDEX depot, KEH would give me all of $250. I’d paid $450, plus repairs, taxes, and shipping. The repairs were a problem for KEH, since they didn’t authorise them.

What I’ve learned from this is that KEH must not give a camera much of an inspection. Why bother - they’ll just take it back & send another. Canadian buyers, however, have to pay sales taxes on top of shipping just to pick the camera up, so sending it back is not the painless process that U.S. residents experience. Canadian -or other- buyers should test a KEH camera immediately, or they could get stuck, as I did. I won’t buy from them after this mess.
 
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Never had any problems with KEH...have always liked what I ordered from them...in fact I'll be getting a package on Friday from them...
I don't know the other vendor...sorry...
 
Tamarkin is wonderful. They are extremely knowledgable and curteous. That being said, you pay for such terrific service. I've also purchased from KEH and never had a problem.

Don't go to Tamarkin until you have totally lost your mind with RF's :D
 
I've bought from KEH for many years, at least 12-14, and probably 20 purchases. Had a couple of problems that were quickly solved by their staff. Most equipment was graded lower than I expected, and I bought mostly "bargain" with very good results. That said, I have heard more complaints lately than in the past. Most of them are concerning equipment that has functional problems, evidently from a lack of testing. As a US buyer, I'd still use them for general equipment.

I also bought several items from Tamarkin. They made one mistake on a delivery, that was quickly rectified with a phone call. Their grading was pretty accurate, and the equipment received was about what I expected. Functionally, I was pleased with both an M3 (late) and a IIIf RDST. Smooth and accurate, and what I hoped to receive, rather than the crap shoot called eBay.

I would think either vendor would be OK, if the classified hasn't got what you need available. In any case, running a quick roll through the new acquisition is a must.

Harry
 
sherm said:
Tamarkin is wonderful. They are extremely knowledgable and curteous. That being said, you pay for such terrific service. I've also purchased from KEH and never had a problem.

Don't go to Tamarkin until you have totally lost your mind with RF's :D
Click to expand...

Also keep the auctions that Tamarkin run in mind. They have some very nice gear offered, and the price can be very reasonable on the "common" stuff, like M3's.

Harry
 
Bought many things from KEH from the beginning of their company. Just bought 3 Hasseblad EX rated lenses that looked almost new. I purchased one item, a asph summilux 50, form Tamarkin eith no issues. Also take a look at KOH camera. I've delt with Jimmy for may years including camera service with excellent success. Also Camera West is superb. I've delt in the store and on the phone with only great experiences. B&H used equipment is excellent. I purchased a couple of lenses and a rated 9 Hasselblad 501CM last week that was a 10. Great dealing with them.

Stay away from Quality Camera in Atlanta. Jeff the owner lived down the stree from me and grew up in my neighborhood. I've known him for many years but he took advantage of me on a sale a couple of years ago. I had some good experiences but one really bad one so I'll never return after seeing how he deals with customers. Also had a mix of experiences with Midwest Photo Excange. I purchased a large quantity of Ilford paper at a good price a couple of weeks ago. They assured me it was fresh but when it arrived and I tested it it was age fogged and no good. I also purchased a 8 rated nikkor 35mm lens. It came covered in dirt and full of fungus. They were nice to take it back but it did show they don't evaluate equipment and will tell you anything to make a sale.
 
I'll add my two cents for KEH, having bought and sold to them since King started his business. They do tend to underrate their gear. I am in Ga so I pay sales tax, but I don't expect any retail seller to film test any camera at all. KEH offers a warranty and if repairs are needed, an acceptable resolution to me would be a refund if those costs were extreme.
 
Just bought a Konica Hexar AF. Listed as Bargain, so it should have had big scratches, dings, and maybe little scatches on glass.
Instread it's almost mint, just a couple of little dings, the lens is perfect, just like new.
One week from Usa to Italy (slowed in Italy because it was saturday...)
 
haagen_dazs said:
ebay auctions? if so, what is their ebay id name?
Click to expand...

I meant their own auctions, but they have run them in Live Auction format on eBay at the same time the floor auction took place. A copy of the illustrated catalog is available on line or in print for all the auctions.

They use "tamarkinphotographica" as an eBay name. The auctions are also listed on their own website.

I'm only a buyer, and have no other connection with them.

Harry
 
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