KEH lenses rated Ugly

Huss · Dec 5, 2018

Temptation and curiousity got the better of me. Just ordered an Ugly Hasselblad 50-110 lens. Price was about 50% less than the next cheapest one on ebay. The pics that had of it made it look remarkalbly nice - v little cosmetic wear. If it really is a haze fungus filled piece of junk with blown helicoils I have 30 days to return it.

Will report back for those who care once it shows up!

Theo Sulphate · Dec 5, 2018

Unless things have changed, the photos on KEH aren't of the individual item being sold.

Kino · Dec 5, 2018

Theo, that's true if yo go to the KEH site. However, if you find something you are interested in on KEH (used, of course), chances are they also have that same item listed on Ebay and those auctions DO have exact photos of the items being sold.

I have had luck doing this several times...

wyofilm · Dec 5, 2018

Kino said:
Theo, that's true if yo go to the KEH site. However, if you find something you are interested in on KEH (used, of course), chances are they also have that same item listed on Ebay and those auctions DO have exact photos of the items being sold.

I have had luck doing this several times...

I have done the same using the KEH store on ebay. In fact, I prefer looking at the ebay version.

Theo Sulphate · Dec 6, 2018

Heh -- I never knew they had an ebay version! Something for me to remember next time I look at their site.

wjlapier · Dec 6, 2018

Only ugly lens I bought from KEH was a Nikon 20mm UD lens and it wasn't too bad actually. Glass didn't have fungus--my biggest concern--and no heavy scratches. Could have used a lube...

RalphLambrecht · Dec 6, 2018

You will be surprised how good it will look;KEH is known for being extremely conservative with their ratings; the products are always better than rated and they don't buy anything unless it's nearly mint.

Johnkpap · Dec 6, 2018

I have had a lot of luck with UG and AS-IS :-I bought a bronica lens once that had a loose front element i fixed that in 10 mins and a Pentax LX motot winder for $12 that just had dirty batt contacts, the best one a mint black Nikon FE that just need new foam $13. I did get one or two duds but that is risk you take......its a gamble

Johnkpap

Huss · Dec 6, 2018

Theo Sulphate said:
Unless things have changed, the photos on KEH aren't of the individual item being sold.

It was on ebay with actual pics. Maybe it's trashed when it shows up, maybe not. They pay for return shipping etc if you're not satisfied, so there's not much downside here.

Mr Flibble · Dec 6, 2018

Haven't bought anything from KEH in a while. But they're generally pretty reserved in their grading system.
Bought an ugly-marked lens, and that cleaned up fine.
Bought an 'inoperative' camera, and that was perfectly 'operative' when it arrived.

AgX · Dec 6, 2018

Maybe due to "shaky repair"...

abruzzi · Dec 6, 2018

I've never ventured below "bargain" grade, but some of my bargain grade lenses were almost indistinguishable from new.

bdial · Dec 6, 2018

I think that sometimes they downgrade stuff just to move it out. I've had similar experiences with bargain and ugly stuff that I bought for parts but were in fine functional and cosmetic shape.

Sirius Glass · Dec 6, 2018

wjlapier said:
Only ugly lens I bought from KEH was a Nikon 20mm UD lens and it wasn't too bad actually. Glass didn't have fungus--my biggest concern--and no heavy scratches. Could have used a lube...

But they will service the lens for free after you buy it, if you speak up. It just takes time and shipping cost.

Helios 1984 · Dec 6, 2018

Did anyone ever purchase one of their As-Is cameras (let say a 9$ Pentax H1a) and send it straight away for a CLA?

Sirius Glass · Dec 6, 2018

If it is offered by KEH, that means that they cannot fix it.

abruzzi · Dec 6, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
If it is offered by KEH, that means that they cannot fix it.

or do not find it worth their time or effort. I can imagine an "as-is", $9 camera that would sell for $25 in "bargain" condition wouldn't be worth their time unless it could be fixed in 1/2 hour or less. Also if its the sort of camera that will sit there for 2 years before someone buys it, a throw-away price might be a better option.

Helios 1984 · Dec 6, 2018

abruzzi said:
or do not find it worth their time or effort. I can imagine an "as-is", $9 camera that would sell for $25 in "bargain" condition wouldn't be worth their time unless it could be fixed in 1/2 hour or less. Also if its the sort of camera that will sit there for 2 years before someone buys it, a throw-away price might be a better option.

There's not much that can be done in such a short time...light seals?

Theo Sulphate · Dec 6, 2018

We eagerly await photos of this now-famous lens once it arrives!

Huss · Dec 6, 2018

Theo Sulphate said:
We eagerly await photos of this now-famous lens once it arrives!

Ha you and me too! Will show up some time next week.

aoresteen · Dec 7, 2018

I have bought a lot of bargain stuff from KEH. All of it was good. Never bought any Ugly stuff though. One thing I like about KEH is that they sell all the hard to find accessories. I bought a lot of body caps, prism caps , top covers etc from them when eBay is dry. You pay a bit more but you get them.

John Galt · Dec 9, 2018

I have only purchased EX+ from KEH. Two Hasselblad 500CM bodies and a 250mm T* lens. They were virtually indistinguishable from new, really. I am intrigued now from what I have read in this thread. I need a wide angle for the 'Blad . . .

Sirius Glass · Dec 9, 2018

John Galt said:
I have only purchased EX+ from KEH. Two Hasselblad 500CM bodies and a 250mm T* lens. They were virtually indistinguishable from new, really. I am intrigued now from what I have read in this thread. I need a wide angle for the 'Blad . . .

I almost always buy EX+ and CF lenses from KEH, but sometimes the prices are just too good to pass up on C lenses. My 500mm and Fisheye are C lenses.

Huss · Dec 11, 2018

Ok, it arrived today. Aaaaand, it's going back. The focusing helicoids are grinding and occasionally slipping when I try to manually focus. Interestingly in AF it seems fine, but slow.
There was no mention of this in the rating - for UGLY they say the outside is beat up and the glass has flaws. The glass is completely clean, and the casing would be too if I cleaned off all the packing tape/scotch tape residue that for some reason is all over the lens.
I have no idea why someone would tape up the lens (it arrived with the tape removed, but the residue there which is why I think it was rated UGLY. KEH just didn't want to clean it). The zoom does not slip, so it wasn't to hold that.

Of note, even if this lens was fine I would send it back. I knew it was going to be big and heavy, but after 10 minutes of walking around with it testing focus etc, it just was not fun to use anymore. It is stupid heavy and bulky and unbalances the camera.
I get it for studio use, but even (especially?) then you would have the luxury of picking the correct prime lens. A 50mm prime is coming to replace this.

And so my UGLY KeH experiment ends!

Greg Heath · Dec 11, 2018

Huss said:
Temptation and curiousity got the better of me. Just ordered an Ugly Hasselblad 50-110 lens. Price was about 50% less than the next cheapest one on ebay. The pics that had of it made it look remarkalbly nice - v little cosmetic wear. If it really is a haze fungus filled piece of junk with blown helicoils I have 30 days to return it.

Will report back for those who care once it shows up!

Fungus is GREAT. IT can be removed.

KEH lenses rated Ugly

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