"BGN" products from keh.com ... any good?

[epp_b]

I've been looking (and loosing) at a lot of auctions on eBay for a Nikon FM (or variant). keh.com seems to have some pretty good deals on models marked "BGN" ("bargain"). They describe bargain products as "70-79% of original condition. Shows more than average wear. May have dents, dings and a goodly amount of brassing and finish loss. Glass may have marks that should not affect picture quality."

I don't mind some meaningless cosmetic damage on the camera, but does "glass" refer to the finder and/or mirror box or is glass in this reference only applicable to lenses?

 

[tsaraleksi]

I've never bought anything from keh marked bgn, but I know people who have, who were quite happy with what they got-- keh is known for underrating their merchandise. The lens I bought from them that was supposed to be at something like 85% of the original is totally indistinguishable from new.

 

[epp_b]

Great, thanks!

 

[ksmattfish]

The key to getting great stuff from KEH is to call them and talk to a real person. They will go get the gear, and explain to you exactly why it's bargain. Sometimes it's purely cosmetic.

 

[Mike_E]

+1!

 

[keith204]

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135855&highlight=eos-3

The above link contains a few pictures of an EOS-3 that I bought BGN from KEH

 

[frXnz kafka]

I bought a BGN Nikon SB-28 from KEH this summer. A few scuffs on the body, but the thing works perfectly.

 

[bhop]

I've bought a couple things from keh and they've all been BGN items. They usually have a few scratches, but work great.

That description they have on their site is general for everything they sell. Glass refers to lenses. In this case, since you're looking for a camera body, that probably wouldn't apply.