Buying and Selling Used Photo Gear with KEH Camera
KEH Camera is well known in photography circles, but we still meet plenty of photographers who are unfamiliar with it. Camera equipment can be expensive, and KEH offers another option beyond paying full price for new gear or buying directly from an individual seller.
KEH sells inspected and graded used photography equipment, including digital cameras, film cameras, lenses, and accessories. Each item receives a cosmetic grade that affects its price. Except for equipment specifically sold As Is, the gear is expected to function properly.
I initially leaned toward higher grades such as Excellent or Like New. With older cameras and lenses, though, those grades may be difficult to find. I eventually tried several Bargain items and learned that KEH’s grading tends to be conservative. The gear often looked better than I expected based on the description.
Camera Gear I Have Purchased From KEH
Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6, Excellent
This became my go-everywhere zoom lens for a couple of years. It arrived in nearly new condition, as far as I could tell.
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G, Bargain
This little lens showed a bit of use on the barrel but was otherwise in very good condition. The marks did not affect its performance, and I would have added my own scuffs soon enough.
Nikon 105mm f/2.8D Micro, Excellent
Excellent was the only grade available when I purchased this lens. The previous owner had written “105” on the lens cap, and the barrel had a few light marks, but the lens worked beautifully and produced stunning photographs.
Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR, Excellent
This was my largest KEH purchase and one I felt more comfortable making through an established used-gear company. I chose an Excellent copy because I wanted the caps and tripod collar included. When it arrived, it looked almost new, just without the original box. I added a lot of wear on this lens, and then actually sold it back to KEH when I upgraded my kit!
Yashica Mat-124G, Bargain
After searching thrift stores and estate sales for a couple of years, I finally bought a Yashica Mat-124G from KEH. The Bargain body was beautiful when I opened the box. If I had graded it myself, I would have called it Excellent.
Mamiya 645 1000S, Bargain
The Mamiya arrived in lovely cosmetic condition but developed a shutter problem. After two rolls, I began seeing marks and shadows across the film.
I contacted KEH customer service and had a replacement camera in about a week. Problems can happen with decades-old equipment, but the quick replacement showed me how much easier it can be to buy from a company that stands behind its used gear.
Fujifilm X100T, Bargain
The X100T was the first digital camera I bought from KEH. I planned to carry it everywhere and put it through plenty of use, so buying a pristine copy did not seem necessary.
Some of the finish was worn, which is common on plated cameras, but it arrived with its accessories and worked perfectly. I still love this tiny camera.
More KEH Purchases in 2025 and 2026
Years after I originally wrote this post, I am still buying camera gear from KEH.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, Like New Minus
I recently added the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter for my Sony E-mount setup. It was listed as Like New Minus and included both caps and its case. A teleconverter is the kind of specialized accessory I especially appreciate finding used, since it lets me extend the reach of a compatible telephoto lens without paying full price for a new one. It looked brand new when I received it.
Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G, Like New Minus
I also purchased a Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G full-frame lens in Like New Minus condition. The listing included the caps and hood. It is a compact wide-angle lens that adds a very different option to my Sony kit.
Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, Excellent
For my Nikon F100, I found an Excellent-grade Nikon 70-300mm lens with its caps and hood. It gives the F100 a versatile telephoto range while still offering the autofocus and vibration-reduction features of a more modern Nikon lens.
Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8D, Like New Minus
I also added a Nikon 50mm f/1.8D for the F100. This one was listed as Like New Minus and came with both caps. A small 50mm lens feels like a natural match for the F100 when I want a simpler film setup without carrying a larger zoom.
These recent purchases are a good indication of how well my earlier experiences have held up. I started buying from KEH for older film cameras and Nikon DSLR lenses, and I still turn to them for everything from compact Sony lenses to accessories for bird photography.
Why I Buy Used Camera Gear
Every item I have purchased from KEH has either worked as expected or, in the case of the first Mamiya body, been replaced without difficulty. Those experiences gave me confidence in the grading system and made Bargain gear feel like a practical choice rather than a risky one.
Buying used saves money and keeps working cameras and lenses in circulation. It also makes older film equipment easier to find without relying entirely on thrift-store luck or listings from unfamiliar individual sellers.
Selling Gear to KEH
KEH purchases used equipment for its inventory and holds buying events around the country. I have attended several of their buying events at a local camera store in California with items to sell.
The buyer inspects everything at a small table and makes an offer. It was fair and actually higher than I expected. I accepted the offer and received a check on the spot. The entire process was quick and easy, and my unused gear had a chance to end up with someone who would put it back to work.
A Note About My Connection to KEH
For full disclosure, I worked as a paid content contributor for KEH Camera for a couple of years. I was proud to share photography stories with their readers, but that relationship did not change my assessment of the equipment or customer service described here.
Buying used camera equipment always requires some judgment, particularly when the gear is several decades old. My experiences with KEH have given me a reliable place to look first, whether I am searching for a modern digital camera, a long lens, or an old film camera I have been unable to find anywhere else.
