Midwest Photo Exchange = great service

DrPhil · Feb 3, 2004

I just received my new lens from MPEX and am so pleased I had to write.

After numerous orders Jim has always been willing to answer questions and ship promptly.

BTW - My "new" Fujinon 400T looks brand new. The only flaw I found was a very small scratch on the mounting ring. Besides that it looks new.

Steve Hamley · Feb 4, 2004

Yep, same experience here. One of the very best places to do business, and THE best place for used LF gear. You need to check the site fairly often though, they really turn over the LF gear. I recently had a problem with a new camera purchased there (a manufacturer's problem) and support was outstanding. One of the best "tests" of a dealer is the support you get when you do have a problem.

Thanks!

Steve

Donald Miller · Feb 4, 2004

I have dealt with Midwest on a couple of items. The results have always been outstanding service and merchandise as described. I like this place... a great business.

veriwide · Feb 4, 2004

Ditto! MPX has always been a trusted source of LF gear for me. When I bought my first 4x5, a Speed Graphic at the local flea market, I needed a lens. I called them from their ad in Shutterbug (in my pre computer days), told them I was new to LF and was looking for an lens I could get started with. I got a 135mm Ektar in a supermatic shutter, in the original box, with the 1941 Kodak inspection paperwork, for under $50. It didn't have a scratch on it, and it is still a valuable lens that I use to this day.

I have since bought 8x10's, 5x7's, and more 4x5 gear than I probably should have. They are always the second place I send people after my local shop here in Raleigh, NC, Southeastern Camera.

Patrick

lee · Feb 4, 2004

I concur as I have spent several thousand dollars there over the years and the service has been great and the products even better.

lee\c

Jim Chinn · Feb 4, 2004

I don't remember exactly where, but somewhere on photonet there is a forum that contains feedback from customers on virtually every photographic retailer. Of all the retailers I don't know if there was a single negative comment about MPEX.

If you ever think about ordering something through the mail, I advise you to go to that site and get a feel for who you may be dealing with It could save you a lot of money and headaches. There is also some very funny posts by individuals who have gotten burned by various less than honest operations.

Dave Mueller · Feb 4, 2004

And luckily they're a short 3 hour drive from Pittsburgh. I find an excuse to go there every spring and give them my bonus check. It's also an excuse to get to BD's Mongolian Barbecue. I got hooked in Reading UK few years ago, we don't have a decent one in here.

David R Munson · Feb 6, 2004

I got spoiled going to school in Athens and having MPEX an hour and a half away! I can't think of a single complaint. Great to deal with in person or over the phone. I bought my Linhof from them back in high school and more recently got a whole strobe system through them and they are far and away the best dealers I've ever had the pleasure to do business with. A quality operation to the last detail.

KenM · Feb 6, 2004

DrPhil said:
I just received my new lens from MPEX and am so pleased I had to write.

After numerous orders Jim has always been willing to answer questions and ship promptly.

BTW - My "new" Fujinon 400T looks brand new. The only flaw I found was a very small scratch on the mounting ring. Besides that it looks new.

Dude! Did you happen to win that lens via auction on eBay? I was bidding on a lens from MPEX, but decided to purchase a newer version from them directly - the auction actually went slightly over their retail price, so I ended up saving a few bux.

I'm still waiting for my lens, however. There was a shipping snafu that delayed the shipping a week. Not happy about that, but it happens. Hopefully I'll get it today, since I'm heading to the mtns. this weekend, weather permitting.

And I'll agree with what you said about Jim. Very helpful.

DrPhil · Feb 6, 2004

The lens was listed in their Garage Sale flyer. I don't even think that the lens made it to their website. Within an hour of the flyer's arrival I had secured spousal approval and placed the order. With my wista 4x5 now partly broken, I'll have to start shopping for a new camera too! MPEX, here comes more of my money!!

KenM · Feb 6, 2004

When was that, exactly? I purchased mine on the 21st of January, and I'm still waiting for it....

They had three for sale on their website, one sold via eBay, I purchased one, and you bought one. The one sold on eBay was the older of the two cheaper 400mm lenses - I was told I purchased the newer version (for $699), and the 'New' one is still there, for $999. The numbers just don't add up.

I explicitly purchased the 'Like New' version.

Hmmmm.

DrPhil · Feb 6, 2004

I placed the order on the 29th. Mine was also listed as "like new." The impression that I got from Jim was that this one had just become available. Thus, it may never have been on the website. In the flyer it was listed separate from the other lenses. Maybe it was a late addition? MPEX seems to often have different prices for the same item. When I purchase items from their flyer I often save a few bucks. I paid 589 for my lens.

KenM · Feb 6, 2004

DrPhil said:
I placed the order on the 29th. Mine was also listed as "like new." The impression that I got from Jim was that this one had just become available. Thus, it may never have been on the website. In the flyer it was listed separate from the other lenses. Maybe it was a late addition? MPEX seems to often have different prices for the same item. When I purchase items from their flyer I often save a few bucks. I paid 589 for my lens.

D'oh! :evil:

Ah well, no worries. What I paid was still cheaper than what the one went for on eBay, and Jim said the lens was practically new.

The bummer is I'll have to wait until next week. Canada Custom's is *so* annoying.

Eric Rose · Feb 6, 2004

They found out you drive a BMW Ken LOL!!

KenM · Feb 6, 2004

EricR said:
They found out you drive a BMW Ken LOL!!

Yeah, buggers. Ah well. Good things come to he who waits.

Right?

RIGHT?

glbeas · Feb 6, 2004

No, you gotta get out and rattle some cages, then run like hell! ;-)

KenM · Feb 6, 2004

I can almost touch it:

Dead Link Removed

So close. So very close.

And trust me, I'll be on the phone Monday trying to track it down. Not sure what I can do to track it tho, since it's a US tracking number, and it's now in the Canadian Postal System...

MikeK · Feb 7, 2004

Midwest customer service is awesome. Today I tried ordering a lens just to get a working shutter. Jim would not let me order the lens until I checked with a contact of of his who might repair my broken shutter which he thinks might be a cheaper option. In this day and age, that is amazing reminds me of the movie "Miracle on 34th Street" where the Macy's santa sent a customer to another store.

I spent a few minutes chatting with Jim - he is the large format guy. He has a passion for large format and quality customer service.

I have made a number of darkroom and lens purchases with these guys, and guess what I am going back. Monday I am going to order my 5x7 with lens adaptor board. :twisted:

- Mike

dr bob · Feb 7, 2004

So far, my business has been minimal but their help with technical issues was excellent even though the item was only $30.
Truly, dr bob.

DrPhil · Feb 7, 2004

Ken,

That looks just like mine. You're going to love it.

Phil

KenM · Feb 7, 2004

DrPhil said:
Ken,

That looks just like mine. You're going to love it.

Phil

That's a photo I borrowed from Badger Graphics. And I've used one before. I have a G-Claron 305mm, and it's a wonderful lens, but the first time I put the 400mm on my camera, and looked at the glass, it was immediately obvious that I had to get this lens.

What I saw in the scene was what I saw on the glass - no cropping required.

Eric Rose · Feb 7, 2004

Should have spent the extra bucks and had it FedEx'd. I've never had to pay any GST or anything when I get stuff FedEx'd. And I get it right away and the tracking system is fantastic.

Shmoo · Feb 8, 2004

I whole-heartedly agree with you all...MPEX is terrific. Another couple of names who are great to work with are Tom W. who's very encouraging to talk with, and Cassie in shipping who knows where everything is going!!!

KenM · Feb 8, 2004

EricR said:
Should have spent the extra bucks and had it FedEx'd. I've never had to pay any GST or anything when I get stuff FedEx'd. And I get it right away and the tracking system is fantastic.

Boy, I'd sure like to know what you're doing to get stuff GST free via FedEx. I have *never* avoided GST when having items shipped via courier.

But, no worries. The status was updated, and the lens has just cleared Customs. Pr*cks. I sure could have used it today. Ah well, that's what cropping is for :-D

KenM · Feb 9, 2004

Just thought I'd post an update - the lens arrived today. Purolator just left it sitting on my front step - oops. Not their fault, we've left a sign telling Purolator to just leave packages when nobody is home - I was home, but I was in the darkoom.

Good thing I live in an honest neighborhood

So, chalk up another good review of MPEX. The lens is not only like new, it's brand new. Original box, wrapping, manual, etc. There's not a mark on the lens.

The one interesting thing is the Copal shutter - on my other lenses with Copal shutters, the aperature adjustment is on the top of the lens, with the bottom housing the pointer - on this lens, the adjustment knob is on the bottom with a pointer, and there's a another pointer on top of the lens. When I was playing around with the lens, I kept reaching for the top of lens to drop it down, instead of the botton. Erk!

It also appears that they've went with the same knobs on both shutter and aperature adjustment. That's probably why they moved the aperature adjustment to the bottom, since there wouldn't have been enough space to house them on the same side of the lens.

I'll get used to it.

Waa-hoo! Time to head for the hills!

Midwest Photo Exchange = great service

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency