KEH bargains...

Hikingman · Apr 20, 2010

The Sales group at KEH relies heavily on the Tech. folks to properly evaluate cameras for potential issues before they are listed for sale. And, 'Sales' cannot grab cameras during phone calls-like the old days (to further describe cosmetic condition).

Sirius Glass · Apr 20, 2010

OH, good, we were missing the regular flow of new KEH threads! I am glad that they are back in style.

Steve

lxdude · Apr 20, 2010

Yep, everything is O-KEH.

nolanr66 · Apr 20, 2010

I have a bargain grade Nikkormat FT2 that should arrive on Friday. I have purchased some stuff from them before and have returned some stuff also. From my experience they seem to rate low and that way you are pleased with your purchase cosmetically. Function has been a problem with some of the stuff I have bought from KEH. I was fortunate to have Camera West in Monterey that always had a lot of cool stuff but they left town for Palm Springs. Pretty much mail order for all camera items now as well as film.

Sirius Glass · Apr 21, 2010

Once I saved,
then I found KEH.
Thus my wallet became lost.
Now I am an indentured servant to KEH!

My money has been deleted.

Steve

Q.G. · Apr 21, 2010

If it had been, Steve.
KEH would have set the bailiff on your trail.
Ad if he catches up with you, you'll spend your life in jail.

brucemuir · Apr 21, 2010

Got 2 reasons why I cry away each lonely night,
first ones name is Distagon and the way she sees the light.
second one is a fast Planar and I'm sure she'll render right,
only problem is the fact that wallets feelin tight.

(cue mandolins)

Q.G. · Apr 21, 2010

That's the one. Nice!

Sirius Glass · Apr 21, 2010

Sirius Glass said:
Once I saved,
then I found KEH.
Thus my wallet became lost.
Now I am an indentured servant to KEH!

My money has been deleted.

Steve

As Tenessee Ernie sang: I owe my soul to the company store ...

Steve

Ralph Javins · Apr 21, 2010

Good morning;

Well, I may as well join in with Steve (Sirius Glass), Q. G., Bruce Muir, and others, and risk invoking the wrath of "The Moderators," by mentioning that you KNOW that you have a serious (or is that "sirius?") problem with photographic addiction when KEH sends you a Christmas card.

lxdude · Apr 21, 2010

^^

^^

My problem ain't addiction to internet pornography sites-it's internet photography sites that get my time and money. Well, maybe a little camera porn now and then...

Me chase after fast women? Naaaa. Fast lenses, well.... :rolleyes:

nolanr66 · Apr 22, 2010

I just received my Nikkormat FT2 from KEH that I order last week. It is a bargain condition camera and it was $53.00. The dome is caved in and the flash would list about 20 degrees off to the right. The eyepiece is missing. Other then that I would be ok with it. Scratched everywhere but the leather is intact. The shutter works as far as I can tell. I do not have a lens or a battery for it so it's hard to say what else is going on. I guess I will send it back and scrap the Ft-2 idea. I definately would like to have one for display and occasional use but it's to much trouble to ship camera's back and forth.

BobSnoody · Apr 22, 2010

Overall, I've been very happy with the stuff I bought from KEH. I bought a 35-105 AI zoom BGN for $63.00 and it look and performs very well. I recently purchased a Nikkormat FTN EXC for $49.00 and it's a beauty, the meter and shutter are good. I was so impressed with the FTN I decided to try a BGN Nikkormat for $19.00 and a N90 BGN for $19.00. The N90 looks and performs perfectly, the only thing I see is that there is no rubber grip on the back just smooth plastic, everything else is perfect. The Nikkormat has a bad meter and shutter speeds are all off. Is it worth it to send back a $19.00 camera, or just save it for parts? Maybe they know that it just not worth the trouble and most people will just eat it.

lxdude · Apr 22, 2010

nolanr66 said:
I just received my Nikkormat FT2 from KEH that I order last week. It is a bargain condition camera and it was $53.00. The dome is caved in and the flash would list about 20 degrees off to the right. The eyepiece is missing. Other then that I would be ok with it. Scratched everywhere but the leather is intact. The shutter works as far as I can tell. I do not have a lens or a battery for it so it's hard to say what else is going on. I guess I will send it back and scrap the Ft-2 idea. I definately would like to have one for display and occasional use but it's to much trouble to ship camera's back and forth.

Geez, that sounds more like an UG. I have had them make a mistake and ship me an UG instead of a BGN. Even for $53 it should be better than that, IMO.

nolanr66 · Apr 22, 2010

Geez, that sounds more like an UG. I have had them make a mistake and ship me an UG instead of a BGN. Even for $53 it should be better than that, IMO.

I was thinking UG also. I will call in the morning and drop if back in the mail.

John Koehrer · Apr 24, 2010

Any of their stuff should be fully operational unless noted, shouldn't it?
If the camera's got a bad meter & the speeds are off it's not operational. call 'em & tell 'em for $20 they may tell you to toss it & they'll send a different one. You might even kick in a couple of bucks more & upgrade.

lxdude · Apr 24, 2010

Direct quote from KEH:

All used equipment is guaranteed to be fully operational, regardless of cosmetic condition. All used equipment, except items listed AS-IS or UNTESTED, are covered by KEH's 60 DAY WARRANTY.

Sully75 · Apr 25, 2010

Just bought a bgn Mamiya C330 body and an excellent 80mm 2.8 lens. I'll report back when I get it.

nolanr66 · Apr 25, 2010

Yes, KEH will refund you price. I called on the Nikkormat and they said send it back and if I include my shipping charges on the back of the invoice they will refund that also. KEH has always been nice and a no hassle type place. I do not think KEH is guaranteeing that the camera is fully functional. I think they will give you your money back if you ask for it for whatever reason you may have. The old camera's show up at your doorstep needing a service. I was going to have the Nikkormat serviced at Garrys camera but since it has no eyepiece and the prism is caved in I thought that I should just return it or toss it into the trash. My wife tossed out my box and the invoice with the recycling so I may just throw the camera in the trash as a $50.00 camera is only worth so much effort.

lxdude · Apr 25, 2010

nolanr66 said:
Yes, KEH will refund you price. I called on the Nikkormat and they said send it back and if I include my shipping charges on the back of the invoice they will refund that also. KEH has always been nice and a no hassle type place. I do not think KEH is guaranteeing that the camera is fully functional. I think they will give you your money back if you ask for it for whatever reason you may have. The old camera's show up at your doorstep needing a service. I was going to have the Nikkormat serviced at Garrys camera but since it has no eyepiece and the prism is caved in I thought that I should just return it or toss it into the trash. My wife tossed out my box and the invoice with the recycling so I may just throw the camera in the trash as a $50.00 camera is only worth so much effort.

Well, I posted a direct quote; I think "fully operational" is fairly unambiguous. Sure, a camera may need still need service to have it work optimally, and "fully operational" isn't necessarily the same as "works like new".

But don't throw it out! Someone will buy it from you for parts, or you could offer it here for the cost of shipping. Those parts aren't being made anymore, and stuff like good resistors are always needed.

nolanr66 · Apr 25, 2010

Well, I posted a direct quote; I think "fully operational" is fairly unambiguous. Sure, a camera may need still need service to have it work optimally, and "fully operational" isn't necessarily the same as "works like new".

I see what you mean. A direct quote is pretty good. I have found that people selling things always are talking about something different then what I am hearing. To me fully functional means it works as new. It's that word "fully" which means to me that it lacks nothing in function. I was planning on having it serviced but replacing the top piece of the camera and buying an eye piece in addition to having it serviced is a bit much for the old clunker. I guess thinking about it I should have just not bought it. That will be my plan for the future.

NormanV · Apr 25, 2010

I wish that I could tell you stories about my experiences with KEH but as they only ship with UPS who do not deliver to the Falkland Islands I have nothing to say.

nolanr66 · Apr 25, 2010

I wish that I could tell you stories about my experiences with KEH but as they only ship with UPS who do not deliver to the Falkland Islands I have nothing to say.

Well I think mostly people are pretty happy with what they get. Lot's of good things said about KEH here. I think BHPhoto ships out of country? IT's a good outfit.

lxdude · Apr 25, 2010

nolanr66 said:
I see what you mean. A direct quote is pretty good. I have found that people selling things always are talking about something different then what I am hearing. To me fully functional means it works as new. It's that word "fully" which means to me that it lacks nothing in function. I was planning on having it serviced but replacing the top piece of the camera and buying an eye piece in addition to having it serviced is a bit much for the old clunker. I guess thinking about it I should have just not bought it. That will be my plan for the future.

To me "fully functional" means everything works, that I can go and start taking pictures with it as soon as I receive it. But to me it also means that it might not be as smooth as when new, or mechanisms might not be as tight as when new.

I have an F3 that I got for almost nothing that spent most of its life as a professional's machine, and it's evident in things like the wind lever having some excess play. But it's fully functional, and the shutter and meter are accurate. As many know, the meter illuminator seldom works like new after a while, and that's the case with mine as well, but it's a known characteristic, so I didn't expect it to.

Ralph Javins · Apr 28, 2010

NormanV said:
I wish that I could tell you stories about my experiences with KEH but as they only ship with UPS who do not deliver to the Falkland Islands I have nothing to say.

Good morning, Norman;

KEH Camera Brokers also uses FedEx, not just United Parcel Service. You might check to see if there is a carrier in Stanley who has connections with either of them. There is also the possibility of someone else, such as DHL, but they may be more expensive; still I would ask. I am sure that there is a way. Perhaps inquiries could also be made directly with people at the airport south of Stanley.

I will also make a check from this end through a friend to see if there have been any shipments in the past to the Falklands or a similar location.

KEH bargains...

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