Consider Getting an LX, and Have Some Questions

butangmucat · 09-30-2018, 05:55 PM

I have to admit it... I absolutely want an LX, it's now my dream camera. And I have been browsing eBay lately, and the KEH outlet have two LX bodies lying around. One is in "bargin" and has an FA-1 finder, for 299 USD. Another is in "ugly" and has an FA-1W finder for 209 USD. My plan is to buy it, and send it to Eric immediately for a full CLA. I am also going to purchase the Winder LX (not the motor drive) at some point.

I have never bought anything rated "ugly" from KEH, so I don't really know how bad it could be. Shall I get the "bargin" or "ugly" if I am sending it to Eric?

Sincerely

lytrytyr · 09-30-2018, 06:02 PM - **1 Like**

Touch base with Eric first. Seems like he's taking it slow these days.

butangmucat · 09-30-2018, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

Touch base with Eric first. Seems like he's taking it slow these days.

Just dropped him a line, thanks.

nickthetasmaniac · 09-30-2018, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by butangmucat

I have never bought anything rated "ugly" from KEH, so I don't really know how bad it could be. Shall I get the "bargin" or "ugly" if I am sending it to Eric?

Sincerely

Your miles may vary, but I’ve generally heard very good things about KEH’s ‘ugly’ stuff. Having said that, I’d be cautious of any LX that hasn’t been CLA’d and thoroughly tested...

butangmucat · 09-30-2018, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

Your miles may vary, but I’ve generally heard very good things about KEH’s ‘ugly’ stuff. Having said that, I’d be cautious of any LX that hasn’t been CLA’d and thoroughly tested...

I know that, and that's why I am sending it immediately to Eric (probably with one or two of my lenses too) once it gets into my hands. But I am not sure how bad can a KEH "ugly" camera body get.

johnha · 09-30-2018, 06:25 PM

Not familiar with KEH's grades so can't help on that. The FA-1W finder has a larger diopter adjustment than the FA-1 if that's important. The winder is much more practical than the motordrive, only takes 4 AA batteries (the motordrive uses NiCds that will almost certainly be goosed - unless you go for the pistol grip which takes AA's) and still offers powered film rewind.

butangmucat · 09-30-2018, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by johnha

Not familiar with KEH's grades so can't help on that. The FA-1W finder has a larger diopter adjustment than the FA-1 if that's important. The winder is much more practical than the motordrive, only takes 4 AA batteries (the motordrive uses NiCds that will almost certainly be goosed - unless you go for the pistol grip which takes AA's) and still offers powered film rewind.

Do they both have the ADR window for reading the aperture scale?

johnha · 09-30-2018, 06:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by butangmucat

Do they both have the ADR window for reading the aperture scale?

Haven't seen an FA-1W but all my documentation suggests it does - the FA-1 definitely does.

garywakeling · 09-30-2018, 08:23 PM

Originally posted by butangmucat

Do they both have the ADR window for reading the aperture scale?

yes it has the ADR window

LesDMess · 09-30-2018, 09:33 PM

I've bought many items from KEH but never an "ugly" one. All the "bargain" condition that I've bought would require very close inspection to see a nick or two. If it is not identified as "as-is not working", I expect it will be fully functional and accurate. And of course they have money back guarantee. They're also on ebay as kehoutlet with a couple of LX's at different prices.
To date, I've only returned one item with an issue that they ended up replacing with one listed at a higher price. I've even bought an item listed "as-is not working" and it was fully functional and accurate even today and all it needed were batteries. No doubt there is always a matter of chance when it comes to used electro-mechanical products.

abruzzi · 09-30-2018, 10:19 PM

I’ve never bought “ugly” from KEH. I’d be afraid to since they say it may have fungus, which I won’t abide. I’ve gotten “bargain” items, that look practically new (including a Kodak Retina from 1958 that was in impeccable condition.)

LesDMess · 10-01-2018, 09:35 AM

BTW, I bought my first LX - EX condition, from KEH 10 years ago now and it continues to be factory accurate today having fully exercised all functions with many rolls of all film types.

And I also got an EX condition 50mm f1.2 from them as well not long after . . .

Ediz7531 · 10-01-2018, 01:03 PM

Your mileage may vary, but I bought an Excellent-grade LX from KEH a few months ago. I felt it was a stretch on their end to label it EX; bargain would have been more appropriate so I sent it back. Ended up buying one on eBay from a trusted seller for less $. Eric inspected it and found it in good working order as well.

**twilhelm** · 10-01-2018, 08:15 PM

My experiences with KEH has been they are conservative with grading and usually grade an item one lower than most other places. My latest purchase, a battery grip for my ZX-5, arrived 2 days ago and was rated as a good item. I was unable to find any indication that it had been used at all.

**TomB_tx** · 10-02-2018, 02:24 PM

I've bought a lot from KEH, and agree their grading is generally conservative - compared to eBay sellers. I have bought an "ugly" lens for parts that was better than the "Bargain" bought earlier that I was working on. I've also bought "Excellent" times that weren't as nice as some "Bargain". But in any case their return policy is excellent.

09-30-2018, 05:55 PM	#1
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709	Consider Getting an LX, and Have Some Questions I have to admit it... I absolutely want an LX, it's now my dream camera. And I have been browsing eBay lately, and the KEH outlet have two LX bodies lying around. One is in "bargin" and has an FA-1 finder, for 299 USD. Another is in "ugly" and has an FA-1W finder for 209 USD. My plan is to buy it, and send it to Eric immediately for a full CLA. I am also going to purchase the Winder LX (not the motor drive) at some point. I have never bought anything rated "ugly" from KEH, so I don't really know how bad it could be. Shall I get the "bargin" or "ugly" if I am sending it to Eric? Sincerely

09-30-2018, 06:52 PM - 1 Like	#8
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	Originally posted by butangmucat Do they both have the ADR window for reading the aperture scale? Haven't seen an FA-1W but all my documentation suggests it does - the FA-1 definitely does. Last edited by johnha; 09-30-2018 at 06:53 PM. Reason: Clarification

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09-30-2018, 06:02 PM - 1 Like	#2
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Touch base with Eric first. Seems like he's taking it slow these days.

09-30-2018, 06:10 PM	#3
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709 Original Poster	Originally posted by lytrytyr Touch base with Eric first. Seems like he's taking it slow these days. Just dropped him a line, thanks.

09-30-2018, 06:21 PM	#4
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Originally posted by butangmucat I have never bought anything rated "ugly" from KEH, so I don't really know how bad it could be. Shall I get the "bargin" or "ugly" if I am sending it to Eric? Sincerely Your miles may vary, but I’ve generally heard very good things about KEH’s ‘ugly’ stuff. Having said that, I’d be cautious of any LX that hasn’t been CLA’d and thoroughly tested...

09-30-2018, 06:24 PM	#5
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709 Original Poster	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac Your miles may vary, but I’ve generally heard very good things about KEH’s ‘ugly’ stuff. Having said that, I’d be cautious of any LX that hasn’t been CLA’d and thoroughly tested... I know that, and that's why I am sending it immediately to Eric (probably with one or two of my lenses too) once it gets into my hands. But I am not sure how bad can a KEH "ugly" camera body get.

09-30-2018, 06:25 PM	#6
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	Not familiar with KEH's grades so can't help on that. The FA-1W finder has a larger diopter adjustment than the FA-1 if that's important. The winder is much more practical than the motordrive, only takes 4 AA batteries (the motordrive uses NiCds that will almost certainly be goosed - unless you go for the pistol grip which takes AA's) and still offers powered film rewind.

09-30-2018, 06:27 PM	#7
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709 Original Poster	Originally posted by johnha Not familiar with KEH's grades so can't help on that. The FA-1W finder has a larger diopter adjustment than the FA-1 if that's important. The winder is much more practical than the motordrive, only takes 4 AA batteries (the motordrive uses NiCds that will almost certainly be goosed - unless you go for the pistol grip which takes AA's) and still offers powered film rewind. Do they both have the ADR window for reading the aperture scale?

09-30-2018, 08:23 PM	#9
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,773	Originally posted by butangmucat Do they both have the ADR window for reading the aperture scale? yes it has the ADR window

09-30-2018, 09:33 PM	#10
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	I've bought many items from KEH but never an "ugly" one. All the "bargain" condition that I've bought would require very close inspection to see a nick or two. If it is not identified as "as-is not working", I expect it will be fully functional and accurate. And of course they have money back guarantee. They're also on ebay as kehoutlet with a couple of LX's at different prices. To date, I've only returned one item with an issue that they ended up replacing with one listed at a higher price. I've even bought an item listed "as-is not working" and it was fully functional and accurate even today and all it needed were batteries. No doubt there is always a matter of chance when it comes to used electro-mechanical products.

09-30-2018, 10:19 PM	#11
abruzzi Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New Mexico Posts: 788	I’ve never bought “ugly” from KEH. I’d be afraid to since they say it may have fungus, which I won’t abide. I’ve gotten “bargain” items, that look practically new (including a Kodak Retina from 1958 that was in impeccable condition.)

10-01-2018, 09:35 AM	#12
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	BTW, I bought my first LX - EX condition, from KEH 10 years ago now and it continues to be factory accurate today having fully exercised all functions with many rolls of all film types. And I also got an EX condition 50mm f1.2 from them as well not long after . . .

10-01-2018, 01:03 PM	#13
Ediz7531 Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 155	Your mileage may vary, but I bought an Excellent-grade LX from KEH a few months ago. I felt it was a stretch on their end to label it EX; bargain would have been more appropriate so I sent it back. Ended up buying one on eBay from a trusted seller for less $. Eric inspected it and found it in good working order as well.

10-01-2018, 08:15 PM	#14
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	My experiences with KEH has been they are conservative with grading and usually grade an item one lower than most other places. My latest purchase, a battery grip for my ZX-5, arrived 2 days ago and was rated as a good item. I was unable to find any indication that it had been used at all.

10-02-2018, 02:24 PM	#15
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	I've bought a lot from KEH, and agree their grading is generally conservative - compared to eBay sellers. I have bought an "ugly" lens for parts that was better than the "Bargain" bought earlier that I was working on. I've also bought "Excellent" times that weren't as nice as some "Bargain". But in any case their return policy is excellent.