Nikon FE2 - Used from KEH or New from Ebay?

[Naples]

Hello,

I am looking to buy a Nikon FE2. There is one for sale on Ebay from a U.S. seller than claims the camera is "New" and "Unused". In the photos it certainly looks brand new, and the seller has top ratings. However, I have a hard time believing a camera that old is still in "new" and "unused" condition today. There is also one for sale at KEH in "EX+" condition for roughly half the price. Any thoughts and experiences with buying cameras from Ebay or KEH? Assuming both FE2s are described accurately, is a new FE2 worth almost twice the price of an "EX+" from KEH?

Thanks!

 

[Les Sarile]

Does the ebay seller offer guarantees like KEH?
Bought many from KEH so if it's listed as EX+ then I would expect it's like brand new.

 

[Naples]

Does the ebay seller offer guarantees like KEH?
Bought many from KEH so if it's listed as EX+ then I would expect it's like brand new.

The eBay seller offers a 30 day return. The listing says the camera has been checkout out etc. and everything is perfect.

Thanks.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Well, it may be not as 'new' as claimed:

• The body cap is wrong - new cameras came with a white translucent push-on cap and one of the first acts of a new owner is to get rid of this cheap bit of Tupperwear and instead put on a proper body cap;
• The base protector is missing - there is a small plastic tray that the base of the camera sits in, it is disposable;
• The strap rings are already on the lugs - the cameras came with the rings in a separate bag;
• The 'litter' is missing - Nikons came with brochures, guides to accessories, warranty slips, and such like in the box;
• The manual is scuffed and someone has written "Use [unintelligible] only" with a ballpoint pen on the cover;
• The box says 'For sale in Japan only ... Japanse language instruction manual enclosed." - but the manual is in English and the camera is located in Downer's Grove, Illinois.

OTHO, a camera that sat in a box for 40 years is likely all gummed up, the camera does look in excellent shape with no scratch or rub marks, and it does look as close to new as never-no-mind.

RED FLAG: The seller has another 'New' FE2 for sale, many pictures of the two are identical, however the serial #s appear to be different. It looks like the seller bought a collection, and taking the same pictures over and over again probably did get really tedious. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ss...lxmzd1226&_oac=1&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

(I can't remember if Nikon's came with a little bubble pack of two batteries. Bringing to mind you may want to ask for a picture of the inside of the battery compartment just to make sure batteries haven't been in the camera for 40 years.)

 

[Pioneer]

I buy every used camera with the assumption that it will need to be serviced first, before I put it to work; no matter how it looks. So far that rule has held up pretty well.

 

[Les Sarile]

The eBay seller offers a 30 day return. The listing says the camera has been checkout out etc. and everything is perfect.

Thanks.

I see an EX+ FE2 on KEW for $338 and the other is double that?
KEH offers 21day money back and 180day warranty. That other one better be great. Good luck!

 

[GregY]

I see an EX+ FE2 on KEW for $338 and the other is double that?
KEH offers 21day money back and 180day warranty. That other one better be great. Good luck!

I'd go with the extra safety of the KEH warranty.....

 

[Sirius Glass]

Does the ebay seller offer guarantees like KEH?
Bought many from KEH so if it's listed as EX+ then I would expect it's like brand new.

I see an EX+ FE2 on KEW for $338 and the other is double that?
KEH offers 21day money back and 180day warranty. That other one better be great. Good luck!

I'd go with the extra safety of the KEH warranty.....

I too would go with KEH and I have done it may times. If there is a problem the refund, repair or replace at your choice.

 

[Naples]

Thank you all. I'm going with the EX+ from KEH. Looks like there are some questions about the eBay seller (so how are the seller's ratings so high?).

Below are the two FE2 eBay listings the seller has now. In addition to Nicholas' astute observations above, I noticed that the second FE2 listing below (no box) has a photo - 8th photo - showing a partial serial number - 212764. This is the same partial serial number showing in the 7th photo of another FE2 the seller sold on June 6, 2023 (eBay Item # 275823622924). I asked the seller to explain but have not heard back.

** NEW IN BOX, UNUSED ** Nikon FE2 35mm SLR Black Camera W/ Titanium Shutter | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ** NEW IN BOX, UNUSED ** Nikon FE2 35mm SLR Black Camera W/ Titanium Shutter at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

** NEW , UNUSED ** Nikon FE2 35mm SLR Black Camera W/ Titanium Shutter | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ** NEW , UNUSED ** Nikon FE2 35mm SLR Black Camera W/ Titanium Shutter at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Les Sarile]

I'd go with the extra safety of the KEH warranty.....

I too would go with KEH and I have done it may times. If there is a problem the refund, repair or replace at your choice.

I can understand the thrill of a "new" classic

 

[Naples]

I see an EX+ FE2 on KEW for $338 and the other is double that?

Yup.

 

[Naples]

• The box says 'For sale in Japan only ... Japanese language instruction manual enclosed." - but the manual is in English and the camera is located in Downer's Grove, Illinois.

Ouch.

 

[Les Sarile]

Yup.

I always check CL first because of better price for package and see this listing, "Nikon FE2 MINT, used once. - $450 (san rafael)". Interesting but you're in the opposite coast. Canera looks good, package is good albeit mediocre included lenses.

The lure of a new camera you like is hard to resist.

 

[Naples]

Well, it may be not as 'new' as claimed:

• The body cap is wrong - new cameras came with a white translucent push-on cap and one of the first acts of a new owner is to get rid of this cheap bit of Tupperwear and instead put on a proper body cap;
• The base protector is missing - there is a small plastic tray that the base of the camera sits in, it is disposable;
• The strap rings are already on the lugs - the cameras came with the rings in a separate bag;
• The 'litter' is missing - Nikons came with brochures, guides to accessories, warranty slips, and such like in the box;
• The manual is scuffed and someone has written "Use [unintelligible] only" with a ballpoint pen on the cover;
• The box says 'For sale in Japan only ... Japanse language instruction manual enclosed." - but the manual is in English and the camera is located in Downer's Grove, Illinois.

OTHO, a camera that sat in a box for 40 years is likely all gummed up, the camera does look in excellent shape with no scratch or rub marks, and it does look as close to new as never-no-mind.

RED FLAG: The seller has another 'New' FE2 for sale, many pictures of the two are identical, however the serial #s appear to be different. It looks like the seller bought a collection, and taking the same pictures over and over again probably did get really tedious. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ss...lxmzd1226&_oac=1&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

(I can't remember if Nikon's came with a little bubble pack of two batteries. Bringing to mind you may want to ask for a picture of the inside of the battery compartment just to make sure batteries haven't been in the camera for 40 years.)

Great work. You pretty much saved me. Thanks.

 

[AnselMortensen]

@Nicholas Lindan is spot-on.
I bought a brand-new FE-2 back in 1984(?) and that is exactly what it came with. Not sure about batteries, either....it was a while ago.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I've had great luck with ebay but even better with KEH, so would likely go with them. If it was new-old stock at a Nikon authorized retailer, then it would still have the Nikon new product warranty. But since it's at a store in the USA but came from Japan, it has to be used, by definition. It 's a used camera in great shape.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Sometimes when KEH goes to fulfill the order, the grade I ordered is out of stock and KEH sends the next higher grade that they have in stock at no extra charge.

 

[Naples]

"since it's at a store in the USA but came from Japan, it has to be used, by definition."

Good point. No US Nikon retailer would sell a Nikon that on its face is to be sold only in Japan. So it had to be sold new in Japan and later resold, eventually ending up in the US.

"KEH, so would likely go with them"

I did, arriving tomorrow.