KEH and their "Bargain" rating

[photobizzz]

I recieved a 9cm Elmar pre-war black lens today from KEH, among other things. I bought the bargain rated lens due to money constraints, but I guess bargain means almost perfect to KEH. I did have to wait 1 1/2 weeks for the shipment even to leave their warehouse due to a missing item I had ordered, but it was well worth it. This lens was manufactured in 1937 but it is coated and does not have even one little cleaning mark. I mean the glass is perfect, dust free, scratch free, and the barrel only has the slightest brassing on the knurled focus ring. The FIKUS shade was also ordered in bargain condition but is in almos as good shape as the lens. Needless to say I am very satisfied. I will post some photos in the database with the serial numbers for the project.

😀

 

[Rayt]

I read these testimonies alot but never happens to me. I buy from KEH often but the bargain rated stuff *always* looked like a dog had chewed on it. I only buy EX or above and do get screwed at times. Speaking of FIKUS, I got one from KEH a few months ago in Bargain and most of the paint had flaked off and the front rim was pushed in. My bad luck I guess.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I agree with Photobizzz 100%
I've bought all my leica parts from them (except the 3,5cm elmar), most of it at their Bargain rates. I guess it only means that the item is not in collector's grade condition; perfect finish, no scratches etc.

The 9cm elmar I bought from them had the same brassing on its focusing ring, but apart from that it was in perfect condition like yours.

Heck, I bought 13,5cm Hektor in UGLY condition from them and I was afraid it would have scratches on the lens, but the only thing wrong with it was the condition of the paint on the barrel and it was flaking off the f-stop ring. Again, the lens was in perfect condition.

🙂

 

[photobizzz]

This was my first time ordering from them but I guess I got lucky...

 

[noimmunity]

I recently picked up a Nikkor 85/2 from them that was BGN listed. It wasn't perfect by any means. The lens had a couple of cleaning marks on the outer element, but it was virtually spotless inside and the action on the aperture and focus was good. I did a flare test pointing right at the reflection of the sun coming off a glass tower, and the lens handled it well enough. I'm satisfied, and the BGN classification seems fair. Too bad the price of those old Nikkor lenses seems to be going up, however!

Also bought a CY Planar 50/1.4 listed as LN that was absolutely pristine! On my Contax Aria it makes a size package that easily rivals or beats most rangefinders.

Jon

 

[mnmleung]

I bought some Nikkor lenses from KEH. The most recent BGN (Nikkor AI 20mm f/3.5) was disappointing because it seems to me the lens was dropped with bent prongs and also near the mount was bent. But the first time was good. I also avoid BGN, especially when taking shipping cost to Australia into account.

 

[JNewell]

I read these testimonies alot but never happens to me. I buy from KEH often but the bargain rated stuff *always* looked like a dog had chewed on it. I only buy EX or above and do get screwed at times. Speaking of FIKUS, I got one from KEH a few months ago in Bargain and most of the paint had flaked off and the front rim was pushed in. My bad luck I guess.

Same here. No complaints, though. BGN means anything that is between EX (which is very clean) and UGL (which usually is really beaten). There's a big lottery factor!

 

[feenej]

I bought a lens from them one time that was graded UGL. It was so badly fogged that it was not usable. I got them to take it back, but they were kind of crabby about it.

 

[landsknechte]

Earlier this year (May, if memory serves), I bought a BGN IIIc and Elmar 50/3.5 from KEH. I can't complain. The "T" setting doesn't work, but that was mentioned in the listing, and I certainly can't fault them for that. Both the lens and the camera look and function great in all other regards.

 

[sanmich]

Frankly, I don't think this kind of rating is very helpful.
first, being so very hyper conservative makes things useless.
You are used to buy "bargains" and get mint stuff. and one day you get a real "bargain" and you are disapointed.
second, I think that kind of scale would be easily changed to a multi-parameter grade:
cosmetics, optics, mechanics and so on
This way, one can really pay exactly what he wants for.
Maybe I'm looking for a beater in perfect working condition. Or on the opposite, I might be looking for a beauty for a DYI CLA...
I've always been happy with KEH though...
Just my 2 cents

 

[timrobson]

KEH's ratings are mostly cosmetic. I've bought a lot of stuff from them and in my experience, LN- is extremely clean, EX+ is very clean, but obviously used, EX is average, and BGN is a bit of a grab bag. I've received BGN items with nary a bright mark which were graded on the basis of a bit of haze in the lens. You'll also get the odd bit with missing paint or a lot of bright marks, which is justifiably BGN graded. In general, I think they've been pretty resistant to "rating inflation", but there are always exceptions to that rule. Frankly, they get a lot of credit for conservative ratings, but I think they're simply honest, and when they're wrong, they sort it out.

 

[Rob-F]

I have bought the following from KEH, all in bargain condition:

50mm Distagon FLE

Leica R5

180mm APO-Telyt

28mm PC-Nikkor

All these looked like they were either like-new or EX+.

If you don't like what they send, you can send it back, no questions asked.

 

[bigdog]

I had purchased a new Canon EOS camera body there a few years ago and service was fine...more recently I sent them a Canon 28-135mm IS lens for cash. I have to say I was a bit dissapointed. They quoted me over $250 for the lens after I gave them a detailed decription of the lens including any problems which may need to be addressed. Then after they received the lens the quote dropped to $100. I told them I had described the lens accurately on the phone and they should not have quoted such a high price. I took the $100 which probably was a mistake. I should have just sold it on Ebay and I probably would have gotten at least double what KEH gave me. I just did not want to deal with it at that time.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I had purchased a new Canon EOS camera body there a few years ago and service was fine...more recently I sent them a Canon 28-135mm IS lens for cash. I have to say I was a bit dissapointed. They quoted me over $250 for the lens after I gave them a detailed decription of the lens including any problems which may need to be addressed. Then after they received the lens the quote dropped to $100. I told them I had described the lens accurately on the phone and they should not have quoted such a high price. I took the $100 which probably was a mistake. I should have just sold it on Ebay and I probably would have gotten at least double what KEH gave me. I just did not want to deal with it at that time.

They tried that trick on me a few yrs ago on a Mamiya TLR and 3 lenses, only offerred $100 for all of it, which they'd have turned around and asked $1200 for. Their original offer on the phone was $500. I told them to F--K Off. I don't like dishonesty....especially when they tried telling me my equipment was beat up garbage not worth a thing and I should be happy to take anything. I took $800 from a friend who still uses the stuff every day with no problems.