It's used gear, so you never know. Allow me to add another positive for KEH. I've bought a new Canon lens from them, and a bunch of used Mamiya gear--all BGN. In fact I just got a WLF this week, and I honestly cannot tell why it was rated BGN, looks new to me. Guess I better head over to resellerratings & help boost their score.
I have bought a few items from KEH and have had no complaints. I bought a Canon 100 2.8 listed in BGN, and the lens looked EX+. It had a few marks on the barrel, but overall was in really nice condition. I also bought a 5D grip at KEH also in BGN condition, other than a scratch on the bottom, again it was really nice.
I've heard time and time again that KEH tends to under-rate, and in my limited experience that has been the case.
I would not hestitate to do business with KEH again -- I've found their ratings to be fair, and customer service to be excellent. I can't say the same for the other place you mentioned.
Well, the lens arrived today, and seeing the original hard case it came in, I was actually excted for a moment.
The condition of the hardase wasn't so great but i didn't spend a lot, i open the hardcase and i see the rear cap, awesome, (often KEH's BGN don't come with either), but then i get the lens out of the case and its in there w/o a front cap, and the front element is full of marks, some looked like wet marks, and they did indeed clean up, some i couldn't clean away.
The zoom is a little stiff with some really tight spots. That i guess makes Adorama's "(V)ery Good" closer to KEH's "(UG)ly", since even without lens caps, they always ensured to ship it with the lens elements protected on those BGN lenses that came w/o caps.
Now i can agree that Adorama is far too optimistic in their lens assessments.
Now if had bought the lens from KEH in EX condition it had cost me $179, i spent $44 on this copy, and since i wanted to compare a Zuiko lens to a lens i already own, wasn't willing to spend this much. I'm not a collector, i want to use the lens, and i will be able to use it, the focus is smooth, the optics are good (marks on coating are not visible in images) and for $44 i file this under "KEH is better and i'll order from them unless Adorama has a "Very good" for under $50 that KEH only has as a much more expensive EX"
I have purchased numerous items from KEH over the years and always thought they were conservative in their ratings. I've only had one problem and they rectified it immediately and I can recommend them.
I don't know about BH or KEH, but I do know a fact that never buy used lenses from Adorama. Their rating is far from reality. One friend got a "mint" lens from Adorama, it turns out the front element was scratched noticeably. Returned, but they still charged 15% restocking fee. Called, a sales person answered and claimed the lens was "mint" so they had to follow their return policy. I doubt they probably hire some high school students in their used department. Those people know nothing about photo equipment.
Over the past seven years, I've bought six lenses (new and used) from B&H, two from KEH and one from Adorama. All have been satisfactory, and were more-or-less as described.
I called the used dept directly and i was issued a full refund. I would not stand for a re-stocking fee. Restocking fee on a new lens i can understand since they cannot really sell it as new but something already used and mis-advertised?
phuang3 wrote:
I don't know about BH or KEH, but I do know a fact that never buy used lenses from Adorama. Their rating is far from reality. One friend got a "mint" lens from Adorama, it turns out the front element was scratched noticeably. Returned, but they still charged 15% restocking fee. Called, a sales person answered and claimed the lens was "mint" so they had to follow their return policy. I doubt they probably hire some high school students in their used department. Those people know nothing about photo equipment.
Update here, jpeter wrote:
Ordered a 17f3.5, ex rtg tokina with case from adorama last week. Recieved a 18mm3.5 sigma without case today. The lens did not work at all. I would rate it below a level ex from physical appearance alone.
Conclusion to this story: Adorama credited all my shipping (incl the final ship of the correct lens), sent me a mailer, refunded the original purchase, and produced the correct lens. The condition of the lens was in line with the ex rating. Happy customer.
