Bargain grade Leica body from KEH?

[northeast16th]

Considering a bargain grade Leica body from KEH. I don't really care what it looks like, just as long as it is functioning at 100%. Can anyone pass along any experience with buying from them as far as functionality? Like I said, I'm not concerned with what it looks like, just as long as it works right. In fact, sometimes shooting on the street or out in public you are at an advantage if the camera looks like a piece of crap, people don't take you seriously I've found, so if bargain grade looks not so nice but performs well, I'll be happy!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[kid_a]

I've been absolutely impressed by their grading scale, it's very conservative. BGN stuff is usually in perfectly fine shape.

 

[ethics_gradient]

I don't think they test bodies very extensively, have gotten a BGN SLR body that turned out to be a dud. It was only about $120, but between shipping both ways and batteries it chewed up I was out about $30-35. I'd hesitate to buy a lower-end BGN body from them again, but with something high ticket like a Leica I think their return policy is worthwhile.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

KEH has great grading policies. Even better are their return and warranty policies. I've bought a lot of BGN grade stuff from them and they have usually turned out great, with the items condition usually in pretty good shape. Much better than what you would normally find on that auction site.

There was one instance when I ordered an RB67 and they sent me a dud, this happened 3 times. Each time they took the camera back and shipped me a new one. Until the last instance when I insisted they repair it instead of sending me another. They had no problem taking it in for repair. It ended up taking a few weeks but the peace of mind was worth it.

The prices are decent, not the cheapest but they do make good on your purchase. If somethings wrong your not left out in the cold.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Never had any trouble with KEH, even the UGLY-rated stuff was perfectly usable.

Funny, I was browsing their Leica M body section yesterday.

 

[sienarot]

I don't believe I've ever bought anything from KEH that wasn't BGN grade and I've been very happy with their stuff thus far. My M6 classic was purchased from KEH as BGN grade and except for a line of paint wear (not even deep enough to be called a scratch), the camera looks pretty dang good for a 23 year old camera. You wouldn't think it was older than a few years. Functionally, the camera is perfect.

 

[colyn]

I've yet to get a dud and most of my purchases have been bgn grade..even bgn grade lens have made it to me in far better condition than their grade..

 

[djonesii]

I use them pretty frequently .... One nikon BGN lens needed returned, of the 7 or so other purchases, have been just fine functionally. I did just get some film holders, that while quite ugly, are light tight, I would have called them UG, not BGN, but at $5 each, who really cares!

Dave

 

[Ken Ford]

All my BGN experiences have been good... or great. As an example, this was my BGN M3DS:

 

[kermaier]

I've never bought a body from KEH, but a number of lenses and accessories. I think their reputation is good, but I find their grading much less conservative over last few years. I've returned lenses marked BGN and EX that had haze and/or mechanical issues requiring CLA. In fact, one of their salesmen told me on the phone, when I called to complain about an EX grade $725 Summaron 35/2.8 that had stiff/rough focus and internal haze, that if I wanted to make sure gear wouldn't need any service to buy only EX+ or higher. Overall, I've had better success buying on RFF and about the same hit rate on eBay as I've had at KEH. Bottom line, in my opinion: they have a good return policy, but their prices are often high and their quality is average.

::Ari

 

[chris00nj]

Not to throw another option in the mix, but I've had good experiences with Collectible Cameras.

While you can always return keh equipment if you don't like it, you can't call them and talk to them about a particular item that you may buy. You get a stock photo and a price. So you play roulette with the shipping charges if you don't like camera.

Collectible cameras (ritzcam.com, not affiliated with the Ritz chain) give actual photos, identified some things that reduce its grade, and if you call them, they will go and look at the item and answer questions. Before they sent the IIIf I bought, they re-tested it out to make sure it functioned properly.

i'm not saying keh is bad. I still look there, I'm just giving you another option.

 

[feenej]

I have had mixed results with Keh. BGN grade that was like new, and EX grade that was beat. The grade seems to have no relationship to the condition in my experience.

That said, they are still my first gear buying choice.

 

[bean_counter]

I bought an M4-P BGN grade from KEH about 18 months ago; a little paint loss on the back door, a couple of scuffs on the top plate, otherwise great. And since it is pre-scuffed, I don't worry about cosmetics - I can just use it.

I like KEH because of the return policy; had to send an SLR auto-winder back once.

I have bought gear from Collectable Camera, too, good experience.

 

[grainhound]

If you buy a BGN Leica body from KEH, as I did, check it out thoroughly with at least a test roll as soon as you get it. From my experience, they don't do much of a check before shipping it out. For example, the most minor problem with mine (there were several problems, one serious) was the lack of a take up spool. They apparently depend on their generous return policy for customer satisfaction. As I live in Canada, I won't buy from them again; the costs of the exchange rate, shipping, and Canada customs add up significantly, especially if you have to return it. In that case, you end up with nothing for the expense.

 

[Mcary]

Purchased severel BGN items from KEH over the past few years including most recently a M4-2 and Summerit 50 1.5 so far I've only had to return one item.

Just made my first purchase from Collectable Camera, Pre-order customer service is excellent in helping you get what you're looking for.

 

[oldoc]

BGN grade at KEH is a Mint- at ebay.

 

[kermaier]

BGN grade at KEH is a Mint- at ebay.

If you mean that some eBay sellers label items "mint-" that are really not that clean, then that's undoubtedly true. But if you're trying to say that what KEH calls "BGN" is usually in much better condition, Then I'm sorry bit my experience says that's just not the case. In recent years, at least, KEH BGN-grade is just that.

::Ari

Edit: I don't mean to blast KEH - I've bought a couple dozen items from them, and likely will buy from them in the future - but they're not some miraculous oasis of higher-than-normal standards.

 

[Rayt]

I suspect from time to time they send the wrong item. If there is an item available in several grades and you ordered the one in BGN they sometimes goof and send you one in a higher grade. I tested out this theory once with a tri-elmar purchase. There were two in EX and LN-. I bought the LN- and it arrived with whole bunch of marks on it so I returned it and while the package was in transit I then bought the EX and it was like brand new.

 

[Mephiloco]

Not to throw another option in the mix, but I've had good experiences with Collectible Cameras.

While you can always return keh equipment if you don't like it, you can't call them and talk to them about a particular item that you may buy. You get a stock photo and a price. So you play roulette with the shipping charges if you don't like camera.

Collectible cameras (ritzcam.com, not affiliated with the Ritz chain) give actual photos, identified some things that reduce its grade, and if you call them, they will go and look at the item and answer questions. Before they sent the IIIf I bought, they re-tested it out to make sure it functioned properly.

i'm not saying keh is bad. I still look there, I'm just giving you another option.

Bill at Collectible Cameras is pretty great. I bought my M2 on ebay, and it happened to be from Collectible Cameras. Auction ended with reserve not met, camera had some pinholes in one curtain but otherwise in working order, all of this was identified. He ended up selling it to me for $410 shipped, I patched the curtain myself and voila, I now have a Leica. I was kind of hard up on cash when I bought it and asked if he'd hold it for me, as I didn't want someone else to get it. He had no problem waiting a couple weeks until my next film started and I was no longer conserving funds.


More related to KEH rankings, I've bough a lot of Canon FD gear in BGN and UG condition and it was all fine with the exception of a 28/2.8 that had slightly stiff focusing, nothing serious. Also bought some non functional AE1 Programs for like $3 just so I could salvage the focus screens which otherwise sell for $50+ on ebay