Anyone buy bargain lenses at Keh?

mark · Feb 13, 2006

They have what I want but it is listed as bargain. I have heard that their idea of bargain is another persons idea of exellent. But, this was on items that were not lenses. I've seen places where bargain lens means glass cleaned with brillo pad so I am a bit hesitant.

By the way, their new site is slick.

Nick Zentena · Feb 13, 2006

Do they have other kinds of lenses? Bargain is just fine from KEH.

Mongo · Feb 13, 2006

What Nick said.

I've purchased a lot of lenses from KEH (35mm up to 8x10) and all have been Bargain. Some have been hard to tell from new, and some have had some marks on the barrel or shutter...but all have had fantastic glass and have performed flawlessly. Don't worry about buying Bargain from KEH.

I've even heard of people buying Ugly cameras that functioned fine but that had lots of brassing or a few dents. My Bargain grade RB67 had a few marks on the back of the camera body, but otherwise looked to have had little use.

KEH's bargain grade is one of the best deals going, considering the breadth of their selection.

Travis Nunn · Feb 13, 2006

Nick and Mongo pretty much what I was going to say. My entire RB67 kit (2 lenses) was bargain grade. One of my lenses looked like new to me and the other looked to be EX. Bargain is all I'll buy.

CraigH · Feb 13, 2006

I just got a Vivitar 20mm F3.8 that KEH rated as ulgy. Except for a few very minor scratches on the focusing collar & no lens caps, I do not see any problem with the lens.

Craig

esanford · Feb 13, 2006

mark said:
They have what I want but it is listed as bargain. I have heard that their idea of bargain is another persons idea of exellent. But, this was on items that were not lenses. I've seen places where bargain lens means glass cleaned with brillo pad so I am a bit hesitant.

By the way, their new site is slick.

I've bought a 50mm and a 150mm for my Hasselblad. Both of them were rated BGN and both take exquisite pictures. My experience is that BGN items from KEH are of a higher value. Also, I believe will accept returns on a 14 day basis for any reason.

mark · Feb 13, 2006

well that seals the deal. Thanks folks.

Sanjay Sen · Feb 14, 2006

Here's another one: I got a 'bargain' Nikon 200/4 from KEH and it was in really good condition - the glass was very clean and there were just some minor marks of usage on the barrel. I would not hesitate to buy another 'bargain' lens from these folks. There you go ...

Troy Ammons · Feb 14, 2006

Yes, bargain grade at KEH is about like "almost like new" on ebay and a lot more conservative at B+H used. A B+H 8+ would be a bargain grade or ugly at KEH.

If you do get a ugly or bargain grade lens that looks perfect, it is best to check it out.

I got one bargain lens that was mint, but the aperture tape was off mark or the shutter was dragging.

I barely caught it only because i shot it next to another lens.

Overall there is nothing wrong wiith bargain grade from KEH.

Loose Gravel · Feb 14, 2006

'Bargain' can mean most anything. Call them and ask them why a particular item is bargain. I got a camera awhile back that was perfect except someone had taken the markings off. It was rated 'bargain' because it was no longer a collector item, but to me it was a perfect condition.

Phillip P. Dimor · Feb 18, 2006

I only buy bargain unless exc. is only slightly more.. I've always been pleased, every single time. Never bought a lens though.

I've heard some scary things about B&H used...

mikebarger · Feb 18, 2006

I've bought non lens items and have been happy with BGN. But, I've got two hasselblad lens from them and returned both.

One had to many marks on front and rear glass for my taste, and one had very stiff focussing after you went past 10 feet.

In their defense, they took both items back and it seems I'm the only one thats had that problem.

I will order BGN again if they have something I want, the return privilege kinda seals the deal for me.

Mike

removed account4 · Feb 18, 2006

i've bought 35mm cameras/lenses and lf lenses from keh - all "bargain".
couldn't have been happier with the choices i made.

roteague · Feb 18, 2006

Nice to hear all this. I've been considering getting a 300mm lens (for my 4x5). I mainly use wide angle lenses, so I don't want to spend too much for something I may not use much.

Stephanie Brim · Feb 18, 2006

If what I want stays there long enough (the Canon 35mm f/3.2 Serenar rangefinder lens), I'll be doing this later on as well.

firecracker · Feb 18, 2006

I bought a few items at KEH a few years ago. One bargain lens I got still beats the quality of others at the higher ratings, and I don't know why.

But I remember that a bargain camera body they sent me was a piece of junk, so I ended up ordering an exellent one, returned the body, and paid the difference.

Anyone buy bargain lenses at Keh?

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