Buying Equipment from KEH

[williaty]

Does anyone have experience buying from KEH via the auction site, I'm looking at a lens that is difficult to find and not inexpensive but is rated as ugly. Still returnable and garanteed according to the auction. What kind of expectations should I have?
Thanks!
P.S. I know the rating system. I am asking about the reality of it at this time. The reliability of it has varied considerably over the years.

I've done it a couple of times in the last few years. Ugly can be anything from "it looks like it's been in a garbage disposal" to "It's perfect but it's not worth my time to really deal with this thing".

 

[abruzzi]

I have a bunch of “ugly” lenses bought for pennies from kehoutlet on eBay. Most I have been happy with. My favorite was a Kodak Ektar 203mm f7.7 on a Compur shutter. It’s one of my favorite 4x5 lenses and it cost me a little over $50. I don’t know about other formats, but KEH seems to rarely be interested in dealing with LF lenses, so they just rate them ugly or as-is, to get them out the door. Some have been in good condition, the Ektar, just needed the shutter exercised for a bit.

 

[lecarp]

The images of the lens look to be at least excellent by most dealers standards.

 

[juan]

I have a number of UG lenses. One is a 100-year old in Compur shutter and the lens is fine but the only dependable shutter speed is 1/25 which is reliably 1/20. Another is a barrel lens in which the glass and aperture are fine but the outside has paint chips and scratches that make the aperture markings hard to read. Another has some haze on the glass. Clearly, I like lenses with individual character. If you are looking for usable but not perfect lenses, the UG ones can be bargains.

 

[lecarp]

Thanks for the input so far!
Juan, I also prefer a lens with character, this particular lens is very hard to locate which is the only reason I'm considering an ugly lens that's well north of a grand.

 

[bdial]

I bought a tele converter for Hasselblad that was rated UG, it was flawless. As others have stated, sometimes it seems as though the UG rating is used for clearing things out.
In your case, it may more accurately describe either the cosmetic or functional state of the lens. For that sort of money, it's probably best that you have a chance to look it over in person for making a final decision, and plan on possibly exercising their return policy. The pictures may not show elements of it's condition that you care about.

 

[Main_Cogg]

I just received my first purchase from the Outlet, a Canon Power Winder that was rated as ugly. I just wanted it for the battery holder to get another one up and running. It's in perfect condition, not a single mark on it. I'm still trying to figure out how they made any money on the deal, the price was $5 with free shipping.

 

[Pieter12]

I would be hesitant buying Ugly/Bargain from KEH for certain items that might have hidden damage or be on the verge of unrepairable. Such as a Hasselblad body (subject to alignment issues, but repairable) or items with little motors (like big autofocus lenses that can be difficult to find parts for), much less repair). Sometimes "Ugly" can mean heavy professional use, sometimes heavy professional abuse. After all, for most professional photographers these were tools that were worked hard and replaced as part of the regular course of business, not trophies.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I bought a nikon 105 micro f/2.8 AF lens from KEH. I paid less than the lens has sold for on ebay (using the completed auction search) and the lens is immaculate. Service was excellent (Arthur was my cust rep), packaging was fine and dandy and the lens arrived right on time. In as much as we all tend to look at ebay first, you might be surprised if you compare it to KEH. When it is important (this lens was bought for a job shooting rare books, sheet music and maps) and you can't swing new, KEH is an excellent choice.

Next up my amazing copy stand story

Always unhappy with KH.

 

[AnselMortensen]

"UG" large-format lenses can have fungus, haze and/ or a misbehaving shutter...especially vintage items.

 

[pbromaghin]

I just bought a Minolta ring flash. It was out of stock on their website but perfectly available on the Ebay store. Don't they coordinate the two?

 

[Sirius Glass]

I just bought a Minolta ring flash. It was out of stock on their website but perfectly available on the Ebay store. Don't they coordinate the two?

I think what they sell on eBay is not offered in the online store.
Bargain grade seems to be their popular eBay grade.

The two are separate entities.

 

[flavio81]

Many shops around the country sell used gear, though it’s something of a sideline for many. Usedphotopro, AKA Roberts Camera is another used gear specialist. One advantage they have is that their pictures are of the actual item.

A huge advantage! I've bought from them. Shipping (to my country, outside the US) is more expensive than other US sellers, but their item prices are very reasonable.

 

[jtk]

Have dealt with KEH occasionally over the past decade.

Just returned an "Excellent" $160 lens...paid $60 for extended warranty thinking it might be as good as the $300 #1 lens I'd also just bought without warranty.

KEH credited me for that #2 and for its warranty...no questions asked. #2 was fine but I kept #1.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Have dealt with KEH occasionally over the past decade.

Just returned an "Excellent" $160 lens...paid $60 for extended warranty thinking it might be as good as the $300 #1 lens I'd also just bought without warranty.

KEH credited me for that #2 and for its warranty...no questions asked. #2 was fine but I kept #1.

So it this a positive or a negative report? I do not have a copy of the program so I do not know who is on first.

 

[jtk]

So it this a positive or a negative report? I do not have a copy of the program so I do not know who is on first.

KEH's "program" is clear on its website.

I'm happy and a great company is happy to have me as a customer.

 

[jtk]

A huge advantage! I've bought from them. Shipping (to my country, outside the US) is more expensive than other US sellers, but their item prices are very reasonable.

I have not dealt with Roberts in recent years but I did buy a pair of Canon P bodies from them...Canon P were notorious for shutter wrinkles and problem rangefinder patches but each of my Roberts pair were excellent...used them with Nikon and Leica glass. If I missed any film equipment this would be the lot.

 

[redbandit]

KEH can do great... it can also do things that make you sit back, drink a beer, and want to throw the empty at the dog.

the excellent rating, almost always means its going to be fine. just got an auto bellows from them, going by the actual condition of the item, and the fact that the little ruler scale has no wear to it,, i am actually surprised it did not come with the original factory package.

But i have also gotten "bargain" rated items that well, "held together with hope and a prayer and chewing gum" comes to mind.

 

[Donald Qualls]

But i have also gotten "bargain" rated items that well, "held together with hope and a prayer and chewing gum" comes to mind.

I've never bought anything BGN rated from them that wasn't fully functional; yes, a couple items were visually a little rough, but as long as you avoid "UG" rating, they guarantee full function (or did last time I bought from them).

 

[Graflex Garage]

I bought several things from them over the years and I've always been impressed With how more nice the items were per their description

 

[choiliefan]

I just received a 65mm wideangle lens on baby Pacemaker board which turns out to be quite nice. My only gripe with KEH is their use of FEDEX shipping.
Here's the box before opening:

 

[Dan Fromm]

I just received a 65mm wideangle lens on baby Pacemaker board which turns out to be quite nice. My only gripe with KEH is their use of FEDEX shipping.
Here's the box before opening: View attachment 330365

For curiosity, which 65 mm lens did you get?

 

[choiliefan]

For curiosity, which 65 mm lens did you get?

Leitmeyr Munich. Glass looks great, shutter sticks at 1/10 and below.
Their pix don't do it justice:

Weitwinkel O Anastigmat 65mm f/6.8 Georg Leitmeyr Munchen Lens - slow speeds bad | eBay

Product images are of the actual item up for sale.

www.ebay.com

 

[abruzzi]

My only gripe with KEH is their use of FEDEX shipping.

yeah, the only thing worse would be UPS shipping. More and more, I'm trying to push all shipping towards US Post--they're slower, but for me the most reliable.

 

[redbandit]

probelm is, on many things UPS gives packages to the local post office for actual delivery