terpfan Loc: central coast, California

I have always purchased new from B&H. I'm considering a used Fuji 50-140 from either B&H or KEH. I have sold used equipment to KEH and been happy with them. Would I be better off buying used from KEH or B&H? Is there a rating level I should stay above? Is excellent OK for KEH or should I stick with Excellent + or better? Same for B&H 9 or 9+ or better? Or should I just bite the bullet and buy new? Thanks in advance for your replies.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The EX / EX+ rating from KEH is essentially 'like new', within the context of how old the equipment is. I've bought only one LN item from KEH, it came with an original box as the only telling difference. B&H equipment is the same quality, and being the same, I think it's unnecessarily more expensive.

Most of my equipment is used, with at least one item from nearly every used option from private sales, to ebay through B&H. Buying from someone with a return option is the best option, just make sure you review and confirm your keep / return decision within that formal return window.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

If you opt to buy used, make sure to thoroughly inspect and test the lens within days after receiving it. Even if you don't need to use the lens anytime soon, don't put off testing it! If there is an issue with it, you will be able to return it in a timely manner. Also, familiarize yourself with the supplier's return policy. Contact them if you are uncertain about these terms.

If you follow this procedure, the risks that come with buying used equipment will be minimal. Especially when dealing with a reputable company, such as B&H or KEH. Of course there is a possibility that the lens will fail months later, but that is true with buying new lenses as well.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Both of these organizations represent the highest level of integrity. They will make every effort to resolve any problems. One thing to note with KEH is to read very carefully and understand exactly what accessories and support items are included with your item. If it's not listed, you aren't going to get it. My experience buying used from B&H is more limited, but I would expect the same from them.

josquin1 Loc: Massachusetts

You might also consider MPB. I have had only good experiences with them.

KenProspero

I've bought used from KEH, MBP, B&H, and Roberts. In all cases the physical appearance of the equipment equalled or exceeded the description. I've never had to return anything -- though it was recently a close call on a lens I got with Roberts. When I spoke with Roberts, they were professional, and I'm sure they would have taken the product back. If you add Adorama to that list, you have a nice group of sellers that generally have a good reputation.

That being said -- make sure you check the return policy (they differ amongst the sellers) including the obligation for return postage.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

Good advice, Paul. I bought a used lens offered to me from another UHHer. He seemed like a decent enough person. I took it "for granted" that it was in very good condition. My bad. I usually ask a lot of questions whenever I purchase anything. It was in "fair" condition at best. Paint was worn off, there was cake or bread in the barrel grooves and it rattled when shaken. I responded that I wasn't happy with the purchase and he told me that he already spent the money on another lens (jeez, I've never heard that one before ;-) ) and that it was my responsibility to ask the pertinent questions (he's right). This guy was a real Jeykll and Hyde. I guess to ease his guilt he returned $25 to me. I wouldn't sell the lens to anyone, so I sold it to MPB (as they check everything thoroughly and pay accordingly). I lost a few bucks but learned a valuable lesson. Trust no one that you don't know, ask questions as Paul suggests and find out the return policy. This was the one time I didn't heed my own advice. (Side note: I was offered <and purchased> the same lens, for the same price from another UHHer and it was mint.)

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

You might also consider looking at Robert's Camera used department at usedphotopro.com. I've bought from them, and they are excellent.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

KEH typically includes a 180 day warranty versus B&H’s 90 day warranty. I have never had a problem with any used gear purchased from KEH.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I just purchased a used lens from B&H that was rated at 8+. It came in the original box, still had the instruction booklet, and had no discernible wear. The box was a little beat up. It works perfectly and takes great images. I saved $400, tough to beat!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I've bought used gear from both. Both are going to put conservative ratings on their gear. The "Excellent" KEH gear I bought looked spotless and I would have given it "Like New" rating. The "Like New" gear I bought from B&H probably had been a demo.

KEH sometimes has a better warranty, so read the fine print.

The only time I buy new is when I can't get it used and can't wait any longer.

Look up and understand the phenomenon of the "Bathtub Curve" of product failure/reliability. It helps reassure you that buying gently used can be a GOOD thing.

Depreciation of new equipment is at least an immediate 15% "re-stocking fee" when it leaves the store, and values fade fairly quickly from there.

Warranties only fix things that break due to manufacturing defects. Unless you pay extra for damage coverage, if YOU break it, you pay to get it fixed.

Manufacturers make good equipment now. They don't want it back. Their distributor doesn't want it back. So if you treat it well, chances are good that it will outlast the warranty and a lot longer. If you buy a year old camera with low shutter count, it will probably last until you want to get a new one, unless you are a working pro in a war zone or something.

BARRY COWAN

Aside from all the other good information posted, check to insure the item you want to purchase was originally marketed in the U.S., Some of what B&H sells is used gray market equipment. They do not tell you, you have to ask. Nikon USA will not touch gray market regardless of where you go it. Other brands may have similar policies.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I’m a big fan of it used, for lenses especially. I usually only buy a new lens if it’s a really good sale or it’s such a new release that used aren’t available, (most of my Z mount are new). I’ve bought from KEH, MPB and B&H and always found their descriptions to be conservative. I even bought “ugly” once. It was an old Nikon 35-70mm “push zoom”. It really wasn’t bad but obviously used. The function and glass were great though.

williejoha

I have had good luck with both of them. In recent years I have bought strictly used or factory refurbished and was never sorry for doing so.
WJH

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Over the years I've bought used from both B&H and KEH (as well as a number of others)...

In my experience, there is little difference between the two stores. Both are EXCELLENT in terms of customer service, care in shipping, etc. They also both are conservative in their condition ratings... things are usually better than I expected.

So if you find the same item in similar condition at both, maybe just consider differences in price and warranty.

Finally, does Fuji have a factory outlet online where they offer refurbished items? I don't know because I don't shoot with modern Fuji gear (used some of their large format lenses back when I was shooting film).

The reason I ask is because Canon USA now sells refurbished gear direct via their website (they used to offer it through their largest authorized dealers such as B&H and Adorama). Stuff comes and goes there rapidly, but on more than one occasion I've seen refurbished items selling for less than used items at the retailer websites. Also Canon's warranty for their refurbished is same as new. (Nikon also now sells their refurbs direct, but doesn't offer as good warranty.)

So it might be worth investigating... Not that there is anything wrong with either B&H or KEH. Both are among the very best sources of used gear.

When it comes to rating levels... I steer clear of "poor" or "as is, no warranty" and certainly away from "parts only" rated gear! So long as the optics and functions are all good, I don't mind a little cosmetic stuff. After all, I'm going to be using the gear myself and will be putting some wear and tear on it.

I will buy the "newest" looking when there's not too big difference in price, simply because that suggests "low mileage" on the gear and/or it was given reasonably good care.

I always inspect thing carefully myself as soon as I receive it. I'm pretty sure both those stores have 14 day right of return, no questions asked, if dissatisfied in any way.



This is no longer true of Nikon USA. They will repair gray market items now... No warranty, of course, so it will be at the customer's expense.

However, not to worry.... Nikon USA has other restrictive policies in place regarding repairs. For one, they discontinued all their "authorized repairer agreements" a couple years ago. There were 15 or 20 of those, in addition to Nikon's own two or three USA repair facilities. Now there are only those Nikon facilities. Another policy that effects repair greatly is Nikon won't sell most parts to the public or independent repair shops. Online there's a relatively short list of mostly cosmetic, external parts such as replacement rubber grips, replacement battery covers and similar that they do offer... fewer than 100 items total. But between all the Nikon cameras and lenses, there are probably tens of thousands of parts that you cant purchase to make a repair, even if you are a trained person working in a shop. Citing a concern about maintaining repair quality, Nikon essentially does their best to monopolize the repair of their modern products, whether under warranty or not.

Don't know how Fuji compares... or doesn't.