paulfish4570
Veteran
... OK? in y'all's opinions, for example, does EX really mean excellent in your view?
thanks.
thanks.
are KEH grades ...
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PaulW128
Well-known
Paul;
I've purchase several camera bodies and lenses from KEH over the last couple of years and their grading system is conservative. A camera rated EX has been closer to mint in my experience.. I'm sure other Forum members will join in but my experience has been that the piece of equipment you purchase will actually be one grade better than KEH rates it.
Good luck, what are you thinking of buying?
Best
Paul
I've purchase several camera bodies and lenses from KEH over the last couple of years and their grading system is conservative. A camera rated EX has been closer to mint in my experience.. I'm sure other Forum members will join in but my experience has been that the piece of equipment you purchase will actually be one grade better than KEH rates it.
Good luck, what are you thinking of buying?
Best
Paul
dave lackey
Veteran
Good morning, Paul. I have dealt with KEH for years and highly recommend them. Some say their grading is conservative. Maybe, maybe not, it really depends. Generally, yes.
The best thing is, when you get the order, you can return in 14 days no questions asked. And you get a 6-month warranty.
Cannot beat that!🙂 Ask for Arthur.
Oh, be careful on any purchase. Years ago I paid a premium for an EX+ Nikon F3/T Champagne. Found out 8 months later it had a non-original black back instead of titatnium. I objected and KEH eventually replaced it with a correct camera not just a swap-out on the back. So, they are not 100% perfect but who is? Just be happy with your purchase or send it back immediately.
meso
Established
I have bought a few items from Keh, some BGN some EX, the EX items were almost indistinguishable from a a new item,
and the BGN items were most in very good condition only minor cosmetic issues, which I do not care about as long as they work properly.
and the BGN items were most in very good condition only minor cosmetic issues, which I do not care about as long as they work properly.
paulfish4570
Veteran
thank you, guys. KEH's prices are very, very competitive with what i see on bay ...
semrich
Well-known
Paul, I've found that whatever I have bought from KEH is always better that they have graded it at. I never hesitate buying from them.
dave lackey
Veteran
I certainly prefer them over any Ebay auction. But, we are talking about old, right, OLD cameras. Sometimes they work or not. Sometimes they have blemishes where you don't want them or not. Or shutter speeds are off or not. Just make sure you like the item upon delivery. BTW, I have purchased new items as well. Great experience.
Either way, I trust them and prefer to buy from KEH except for the fact that one cannot visit their store and look at a purchase before actually paying for it and waiting for delivery. But that is how it is done there. You can't even pick it up when you live 5 minutes away!
astro8
Well-known
I bought an 'ugly' grade lens shade of KEH and was very surprised with the condition it was in. I've seen 'minty' (as some like to call them) examples on that auction site in far worse condition than my 'ugly' one.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
I also have had great experience with KEH, in fact they went well above good service by getting me a screw for a Nikon F that I had bought from them a year earlier! Calling them was a hail Mary pass that worked!!
paulfish4570
Veteran
does KEH take paypal? my photo money is tied up there ...
yossarian123
Sam I Am
batterytypehah!
Lord of the Dings
Paul, as a KEH bottom feeder, I usually shop in the ugly or as-is range. Haven't regretted a buy yet. Once or twice I had bargain grade items that I could have sworn were as new, just missing the Japanese inspection sticker or some such silliness. Of course, I have absolutely no collector's interest.
I agree that browsing should be easier but they've been introducing the 360 view lately which helps.
I agree that browsing should be easier but they've been introducing the 360 view lately which helps.
yossarian123
Sam I Am
This has been my experience as well. I've had some cameras show up DOA or in much worse condition then BGN. But their sales & return staff have never let me down and you can always just return it.
yossarian123
Sam I Am
How has your experience been as a "bottom feeder"? I bought an AS-IS Rollei once and fixed it myself but I've never bought an UG lens. I've always been tempted though.
batterytypehah!
Lord of the Dings
I wouldn't hesitate but then I don't wager much on each item. I've bought a few "dead system" SLR lenses over the years, K mount and Konica AR, which can be ludicrously cheap in the low grades. I think my Hex 40/1.8 pancake was under $20 and looked new, minus that sticker. An "ugly" Elmar 90/4 LTM for $40 was another very nice surprise.
Of course, even "ugly" qualifies for the return policy. For "as-is," their prices are such that there's very little risk IMO, once you factor in re-selling here or on the bay.
hudsong
Member
I've also had good experience with KEH. Every item that I've bought from them with "EX" or "EX+" is always flawless, as far as I can tell. They allow returns for 30 days, too, no questions asked... I wish I had that with the broken CLE I just blew 800$ on : (
Guaranteed
Well-known
I've picked up a few BGN items myself without any issues and I usually check them everyday to see if anything interesting comes in. I've got a CV 35 C coming in from Adorama otherwise I would have picked up the one at KEH.
gb hill
Veteran
Paul, I bought a bgn lens from KEH & it was pristine to my eyes. KEH comes highly recommended. Heck even Charles Stanley buys his camera gear from there.
In a lot of cases they are better than eBay. The rating system is true or even conservative, everything they sell should be fully functional, and they have a no questions asked return policy.
richardhkirkando
Well-known
On older items, BGN could have issues that aren't very obvious. My M2, for example, has a slightly sticky preview lever, and I sometimes have to give it a little push when I mount a 90mm lens.
My one UG purchase was a large format lens with some Schneideritis. It was perfectly fine otherwise, and an incredible bargain. AS-IS items actually are bad in some way, but you can find some good deals if there's something you know how to fix.
My one UG purchase was a large format lens with some Schneideritis. It was perfectly fine otherwise, and an incredible bargain. AS-IS items actually are bad in some way, but you can find some good deals if there's something you know how to fix.
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