Who has expericience with KEH lens grading?

[eddie gunks]

i buy most of my stuff from KEH in bargain. that said.....i no longer buy film backs in bargain! i spend the extra cash so i do not ruin any of my film. i bought a lens in excellent condition once....looked new! them one day i was shooting in Myanmar i dropped it! big ugly damage on my front element! now it is "ugly" but still working.....

[JMC1969]

Dear jerk.
Always do a search first.
Lots of APUG threads about KEH.

Your answer is here.

Never a problem.

tim in san jose

Well thanks for the helpful words Tim, but I always do a search when visiting a forum. I too found lots of threads about KEH and people seemed to be happy with there items. I didn't, however, see that too many people (in those threads) mentioned what condition KEH had graded the item they purchased, only that it was in great condition. I didn't feel that answered my question. For all I could tell people were buying items that were graded EX,EX+,LN,LN- and happy that they were what they said they would be. Not my first time in a forum Tim and people didn't mind giving there opinions/experiences including 3 councils members and 1 moderator. I understood KEH was recommended by lots of people here which is why I visited it to begin with, but I had a specific question I didn't feel was answered.

[k_jupiter]

Sorry you took offense.

Most people in the forum do NOT buy EX+ from KEH, myself included. Most threads announce how generous the graders are at KEH and that buying an Ugly unit means you have something that works, usually a unit you don't mind showing your face with, even to your father in law.

You will find that most people here, myself included, don't mind answering questions for the 478th time. That's the kind of people we are. Just search first please.


tim in san jose

[BrianShaw]

I've purchased bgn and EX. EX is like new bgn has tended to be excellent.

I've read this many times and have no doubt that some find it to be true, but that has not been my experience. While KEH grading is extremely honest, in my opinion it is not significantly different from other LEGITIMATE equipment resellers. KEH grading is a world away from most ebay sellers -- who wouldn't know a "minty" from a Certs (or whatever your favorite breath freshing candy is)! I must be the odd-man-out because I buy EX+ or, rarely, higher grade to ensure I get goods that work reliably.

p.s. jd, I'm not quoting you to quibble difference of opinion in any way... just using your statement as an recent exemplar of the frequently heard comments on KEH's grading generosity.