KEH bargains...

ozphoto · Apr 28, 2010

I too have bought BGN equipment from KEH and they have all been eyepopping. Each piece was more in line with -LN or +LN save for no caps or boxes supplied.

Wouldn't hesitate in recommending them to anyone looking for well priced, used gear.

faustotesta · Apr 28, 2010

A couple of years ago i bougth a contax 167mt in "As is" condition (meaning they did not guarantee whether it worked or not) for 5$.
It had marks and signs of use (but it was in much better conditions than my original contax 167 i bougth in 1992).
It has been collecting dust until i traded the RTSIII with a pentax 67. Went to a Kyocera technician who inspected my two 167 mt and adviced me to throw away the original one (it had shutter problems) and using the "American" one.
It's a couple of months i'm using it.
It's ok.
So far KEH is the best photo-shop i encountered in my life.
Highly-highly recommended.
A must for analog lovers.
The only problem is the atlantic ocean between me and them.....
Ciao

ContaxRTSFundus · May 2, 2010

I can't praise KEH highly enough. I've bought Contax and Mamiya RB/RZ gear from them and have been amazed at the quality of items listed as BGN (Bargain) - generally much better than many respected ebay traders who list equivalent items as 'top condition'.

I've just bought a 65mm Sekor M L/A for my RZ for $199 (!!) listed as BGN with filter ring damage....I can't wait to get my hands on it as. if previous purchases are any guide, it should produce superb images. I've also recently bought a lens-vise so all being well I should soon have that filter ring working.

Here in the UK I'd probably have to pay at least £380 for this super-sharp wide angle with its floating elements. Just waiting on good old FedEx....

2F/2F · May 2, 2010

IME, KEH BGN stuff is hit or miss, to the point where I would probably avoid something of that grade in the future, especially a lens. I have been unhappy with BGN purchases several times (meaning that I thought it should have been labeled worse than bargain, but not badly enough to bother complaining and making a return). I have never once been unhappy with an EX or EX+ purchase.

They do have a good, hassle-free return policy, however, and I have only had good experiences with their customer service.

I think part of the problem is that BGN is sort of a "wide" grade. It takes a lot for KEH to call something worse than BGN, and a lot for KEH to call something better than BGN. Therefore, a lot of stuff that is not quite UG makes it, a lot of stuff that is not quite EX makes it, and a lot of stuff anywhere in between makes it. IMHO, the BGN category is really more like 60-84 percent, instead of the 70-80 percent that they state. I think EX is more like 85-95 percent, and EX+ is 95-98 percent.

lxdude · May 2, 2010

^^I second that^^

amade1974 · May 3, 2010

had mixed results with KEH,
however, I was able to land a Contax G1, with the 45 and 90 mm lenses for 109, 99 and 79 dollars respectively...camera while used, works perfectly. Also, had to reorder the 45 as they sent me the 35 F2 instead of the 45 (for 109 dollars)... had that happen a couple of times...

2F/2F · May 3, 2010

I think KEH needs a grade in between BGN and UG. I think that it would solve a lot of the inconsistency of BGN grade equipment.

lxdude · May 3, 2010

Or between BGN and EX.

photomat- · May 5, 2010

BGN+ or -EX? Trouble is there is usually a big difference in price between BGN and EX for items I am looking at.

I just ordered another BGN lens yesterday, I'm 2 for 2 in my purchases thus far.

lxdude · May 5, 2010

lxdude said:
Or between BGN and EX.

Or both.

Price helps with judging relative condition, but still...

ContaxRTSFundus · May 5, 2010

Well, I received the BGN Mamiya RZ M 65 f4 L/A from them and as I suspected, with the exception of the advertised damage to the filter mount, the lens is immaculate - perfect glass, clean aperture blades and what appears to be an accurate shutter. Even the overall cosmetic appearance is excellent - no scratches, paint loss... No complaints at all from me.

It took twenty minutes with the lens vise to repair the filter ring and the lens now boasts a 1A filter. It came without caps but was safely packed and the FedEx service took only 3 working days from pick-up in the US to clearing UK Customs. I have to say that KEH continues to deliver as far as my own experience with them is concerned.

Once I get the bill from FedEx for UK Customs and their own clearance charges, I reckon the lens will have cost me around £195 - a pretty fair price when a new one over here costs over £1200.

Hikingman · May 5, 2010

ContaxRTSFundus said:
No complaints at all from me.

Another happy ending w/ int'l. shipping, too!

-John

Chris Lange · May 6, 2010

I bought a Hasselblad 500 EL/M with waist finder, battery, and charger for $175, it has essentially no external wear and the auxiliary shutter curtains are in great condition. The only things that might have contributed to its BGN grade were the composition lines drawn in sharpie on the focusing screen, and a bit of gaffer tape on the front of the motor drive that came right off.

lxdude · May 6, 2010

Just got a well used but fully functional BGN Nikon N8008s for $16. And a little Sunpak 1600A for $1.79. Used with a short hot-shoe cord, just right for having along when I need just a splash of light for shooting handheld macro or late in the day. It even has a tilt-head. And 2 auto modes, not that I'll use them.
And a LN in original box gen-u-wine Tokina RH672 rubber petal hood for my 17mm f/3.5 RMC - 19 bucks.

NJS · May 17, 2010

I received ME prism for Bronica SQ-A few days ago, BGN. Took the time to test it today and it adds +2 EV. I have to set 400 on the back to expose 100 asa film properly. This is rather impractical for anything above 800asa. Tried with another back, no changes.
tried with new battery, nothing.
Since I live in Europe, sending it back is not an option.

I also received 80/2.8 PS, BGN. looking good except for the few marks on the rear element, looking like some spots, probably fungus 'hatching'.

this was my first keh order, needles to say - I'm pretty much dissapointed.

jglass · May 17, 2010

Yes, NJS, I would not really buy a BGN from KEH, esp. a lens, if international shipping was involved.

I recently bought a BGN grade Leica 90mm from them that had lots of cleaning/coating marks on the front element, sticky aperture and focus ring and looked pretty . . . well, ugly. Although the film I ran through it came out pretty good, I returned it within the 14 day return period and said I thought it should have been an UG. Tech dept. at KEH wholeheartedly agreed with me and they refunded purchase price AND my one way shipping. Pretty cool. But, again, becs. BGN grade is so broad, I would not pursue it with a lens or a complex camera. Just go for EX and be happy!

Stregone · May 19, 2010

NJS said:
I received ME prism for Bronica SQ-A few days ago, BGN. Took the time to test it today and it adds +2 EV. I have to set 400 on the back to expose 100 asa film properly. This is rather impractical for anything above 800asa. Tried with another back, no changes.
tried with new battery, nothing.
Since I live in Europe, sending it back is not an option.

I also received 80/2.8 PS, BGN. looking good except for the few marks on the rear element, looking like some spots, probably fungus 'hatching'.

this was my first keh order, needles to say - I'm pretty much dissapointed.

WHat kind of back are you using? Do you have the kind with the exposure compensation dial on it? Also, are you sure you are lining up the dial properly? Sometimes the mark you need to line up to gets rubbed off.

NJS · May 19, 2010

@Stregone - I'm using old SQ back (non sq-ai), you know the impractical one where the EC wheel is hidden under the prism. I tried with another back (same older version), same thing: +2EV. I also tried with other ASA values.
I started another topic in this subforum for that problem, but thanks.

also, I took the 80/2.8 PS to my local repairman and those marks aren't definitely dirt or fungus but still looks nasty, the coatings actually wore off (and it looks bit scratched), he said it's impossible to repair it since it's not physical but chemical cause.
for $50 shipping + 28% of total gross for custom services and VAT, this was one really expensive purchase, I must say. I;m not sure if I'd jump for EX next time, really.
I think the Keh staff are just being good at Selling - since they surrely assumed I won't be sending it all back to them because of the costs.

sanking · May 21, 2010

I have bought several BGN items from KEH and they were all in what most people would call EX condition, with only small signs of wear and fully functional. In fact, I just received this morning a Fuji GSW690 that I bought at a real bargain price of less than $500 and it is in great condition. If I were selling or buying this camera item on ebay it would definitely be rated as EX+.

If I want to purchase an item I generally look first at the Buy it Now options on ebay, then compare prices at KEH. My impression is that most of the time the price will be better at KEH, though from time to time you can get a real killer deal on ebay.

Sandy King

knox · May 21, 2010

I now live in Atlanta. I have been to KEH many times. Old and new location. Though you are only suppose to go there for to pick up items or sell items, tech work. I have always had a great experience. Everything I have bought has been better then the ratings described. I have returned one new scanner (expensive item) and there were absolutely no questions asked (of course it was still in box unopened). The return had nothing to do with KEH, but a choice of mine to go in a different direction. I have bought lenses, backs, camera bodies on and on, both new and used. No store is perfect, yet overall I would say I have seen their ratings roughly 95% favorable when I read threads on them. For me and my personal experience over the years it would be 100% favorable. I can't think of any other store that sells used who comes close to that rating.

Hikingman · May 21, 2010

Knox, they recently moved to a third location that is not open to the public? Though, the phone ordering experience works well for me.

knox · May 21, 2010

yes it's a nicer place then the last. Again, they do not have a showroom . . . but you can go there to pick up items.

Hikingman said:
Knox, they recently moved to a third location that is not open to the public? Though, the phone ordering experience works well for me.

ulysses · May 25, 2010

I just got two Bronica ETR prisms I ordered from KEH. One an AE-II (BGN) and the other a plain prism (BGN with engraving.) I would call the first EX++ and the second EX or better but for the engraving. Definitely both "bargains". The latest of many purchases from KEH, not all of which have turned out this well, although none have turned out really badly. The worst of them I actually held in my hand before buying and was overcome with GAS which later turned to buyer's remorse. Can't blame KEH for that...

Ulysses

photomat- · May 26, 2010

I just bought an "engraved" Hasselblad A12 back in EX that was close to BGN pricing. The engraving was the number 12 written in gold marker pen in the area where you put the film box tab. Comes right off

KEH bargains...

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