KEH Grading is very generous

[ToddB]

Hey guys,

I just got in a Summiron 35mm F2.8 Leica lens with goggles today. They are generous with grading. They were marked BGN and swear it's perfect condition. Do find they are very generous with what you received?

Todd

 

[snapguy]

I bought a BGN Graphex 135mm f4.7 Optar lens for my Crown Graphic and had a devil of a time trying to figure out what was not perfect about the lens. There was a little scale or something on the strobe flash terminals which flicked off with my fingernail. I am very happy with the company, Sounds like you got a really swell deal, and lens. Enjoy.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I've bought UGLY stuff from them that most anyone else would post on eBay as MINT-. No hesitation on BGN from them anytime.

 

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

That's par for the course with KEH. I've bought from them for 18 years and they have never disappointed me.

 

[summicron1]

Hmmm. Well, I just had to send back a BGN Nikon F2=S because it was definitely not that good, more like an UG (BIG dent by film advance lever, possible warped back), and not an F2S because it had a DP-1 finder.

They're paying the shipping both ways and promising to make sure the exchange is an EXC (at extra cost to me) AND an F2-S, but still ....

some days you hit below par, I guess. I'm told they have new owners. New ownership rarely bodes well, in my experience. Gotta pay off that debt somehow...

 

[Hatchetman]

I had some luck with Ugly stuff in the past. However, the last two purchases were mixed. one lens had some pretty significant fungus and haze. I returned it. One had separation but I kept it since it was minor - I hope it stays that way.

 

[wildbill]

I wonder how many times someone has said this on apug. Yes, they are generous.

 

[M Carter]

There's a massive "buying from KEH" thread. My experiences have all been excellent.

 

[trythis]

got a Nikon FA @ bgn that was not generously described. Its missing more parts than the description stated but cheaper than ebay auctions at the time so not complaining.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

I sent them a Fuji 135mm for CLA and they returned it without shipping cost saying they did not have the parts to adjust it. ???

 

[tkamiya]

I did buy BGN grade lens before. At first look, they looked pristine. On second look, it looked great. On third look, I noticed some internal haze. Shipped it back and received a refund.

I usually buy EX+ or higher. They do make mistakes. I had non-functional, mixed up shipping, etc, etc, etc. But they stood behind their promise. In the end, no loss or little loss on my side. I still buy from KEH.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yet another weekly new thread praising KEH.com.

And they richly deserve the praise.

 

[Fotoguy20d]

I can't say I've ever had a bad experience with them. I've bought a fair amount of BGN stuff with very few issues. Last purchase, I bought a couple of Leica lenses (50/2.8 Elmar and 35/3.5 Summaron) that both went back. The Elmar was pretty much as described but once I was sending back the Summaron the Elmar went too. The Summaron was shown as having goggles - it didn't though. They said their pictures are generic and the text would have said something about goggles. I also don't like the fact that because the pictures are generic you often dont know the vintage of what you are buying, and, you don't know what it looks like. You also can't call them and ask questions since the stuff is in a warehouse and they can't go look at it (or so they tell me). I also find lately that their prices are getting inflated.

 

[shutterlight]

I received a BGN condition 80/4 lens from them for my Mamiya 7, and I could not tell any difference between it and a new one. Certainly it's performed at a stellar level for over two years, so that's what matters.

 

[MattKing]

At the risk of nit-picking ....

I think that the OP is actually saying something opposite to the meaning of the thread title.

IMHO, a "generous" grading is one that is higher than warranted. I believe that the OP is actually saying that KEH Grading is very "Conservative".

From my experience, KEH Grading is very Conservative.

 

[BenJT]

I've only purchased from their ebay recently, managed to get a mint condition autocord for $100 last year, sometimes there's real deals to be had.

 

[andrew.roos]

I bought a BGN grade Gossen Starlite from them recently. It took me about 10 minutes to figue out that it was BGN not EX because of a slight graze in the soft plastic cover on the bottom of the meter. Not something I would normally notice at all.