a person holding a camera in their hand.

KEH Camera: A Comprehensive Guide for Photographers

Buying secondhand or used cameras and lenses needn't be a worry with sites like KEH Camera. Here's everything you need to know about its services.

Learn | By Jeff Collier | Last Updated: December 11, 2023

Are you a photographer or filmmaker on the hunt for high-quality camera gear that won’t break the bank?

KEH Camera is an online store that wants to put rare and quality secondhand cameras in the hands of fellow creatives.

keh
KEH Camera

#1 place to buy & sell used lenses and cameras with the most competitive resell rates and expert help.

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KEH camera store has been the leader in buying and selling used photography gear for over 40 years.

Its extensive catalog offers a wide range of brands and products helping you find exactly what you need to capture stunning shots.

In this guide, we take a deep dive into why you should consider buying your next used camera, lens or accessory at KEH.

What is KEH Camera?

Pros
  • 60,000+ items in stock
  • Up to 40% below retail pricing
  • 180-day warranty
  • 5% student discount
  • Helpful gear experts
  • Best resale rates
  • Free shipping
  • Free gear appraisals
Cons
  • Free front-door pickup in US only
  • Collectible gear not covered by warranty

The story of KEH Camera starts with its founder, King Grant Jr. In 1979, he used to buy and sell camera gear through magazines.

Then that quickly developed into catalogs. This allowed customers to purchase various products through mail-order.

Over the years, the business grew into the giant we know and love today.

KEH Camera is a one-stop shop for all your secondhand camera gear needs, including an impressive inventory of over 60,000 items most of which are up to 40% below retail.

(That means you’ll get the gear you need at a fraction of the cost!)

KEH Camera is highly committed to sustainability.

The company prioritizes the renewal and recycling of old equipment, ensuring that no valuable resources go to waste.

By placing these items in the hands of other photographers, they actively promote reuse and contribute to minimizing their environmental impact.

KEH sets the standard for inspection in grading you can trust. Its team of expert technicians meticulously examines each item before it’s put up for sale.

From there the items are graded on a scale from new to as-is, providing you full transparency about the gear’s condition.

In addition, KEH Photo offers a generous 180-day warranty, protection plans and a reliable 21-day return policy for your peace of mind.

Finally, if you happen to face any issues with your purchase, its dedicated customer support team are ready to provide outstanding customer service.

Let’s take a closer look at why you should consider shopping at KEH Camera in 2023.

How to Buy Used Cameras and Lenses From KEH Camera

a number of different types of cameras on a table.

Now that you’re familiar with what  KEH can offer you, let’s take a look at how to shop their products. In this section, we’ll walk you through the steps to make a purchase.

Navigating the Website

Your first step is to visit KEH.com where its massive catalog of 60,000 items awaits you full of renowned brands including:

  • Nikon
  • Canon
  • Sony
  • Fujifilm
  • Leica

You can choose to manually browse through the catalog, or you can use one of their many filter options provided to simplify your search and help you find the perfect item.

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Types of Cameras Available

KEH offers a wide selection of products in their inventory. These come in all shapes and sizes, with different features and functions.

Here are some of the most popular types of products they sell:

In addition to their main inventory, they also provide a limited selection of lighting equipment.

While stock can be limited, the experience of searching for lighting equipment can be an exciting treasure hunt. Act quickly before it’s gone!

Product Condition Grading System

KEH photography and videography gear sections have ratings such as KEH Like New Minus (LN-), Like New (LN) and Excellent Plus (EX+) , giving you a fair idea of the product condition. Once you pick out an item you like, you can check the item’s grading options.

Each KEH used camera or any other used product comes with a grade that determines its condition.

KEH grades its equipment on a scale from new to as-is. These include:

  • New (N): Not previously owned or used
  • Like New (LN): 99% to 100% new
  • Like New Minus (LN-): 97% to 99% of original condition
  • Excellent Plus (EX+): 90% to 96% of original condition
  • Excellent (EX): 80% to 89% of original condition
  • Bargain (BN): 70% to 79% of original condition
  • Ugly (UG): Multiple impressions in metal with excessive finish loss and brassing
  • As Is (AI): May or may not be functional (usable for parts only)

Advantages of Buying From KEH Camera

At this point, you may be wondering, why should I buy a used camera from KEH?

There are many benefits to purchasing used gear from KEH. These include:

  • Better value for all of your camera gear
  • You’ll be able to buy more equipment for the same budget
  • Environmentally responsible choice
  • Products are all expertly evaluated, which ensures excellent quality
  • Countless options in each category
  • It’s commonly regarded as the best place to buy and sell used cameras

KEH Camera Return Policy and Warranty

Before you take the final plunge and buy KEH used cameras and lenses, it’s important to understand their return policy.

KEH Camera offers a generous 21-day return policy. If you’re not 100% happy with your chosen gear, you can return the items, no questions asked. Truly there is no risk.

Along with your purchase, you’ll also receive a 180-day warranty on qualifying items. This covers any repairs or replacements that your camera may need.

On top of that, you can purchase an extended product protection policy. That offers customers a plan that covers accidental damage. This protection plan extends gear protection after KEH’s free warranty expires.

Now that you’re ready to commit to your purchase, you’ll be surprised to see that KEH also offers free shipping on US orders over $75.

Need more time to pay for your purchase? KEH offers a few different payment plans. Using Affirm, you’ll have access to plenty of financing options.

How to Sell and Trade Used Cameras and Lenses to KEH Camera

a wooden table topped with two cameras and a wallet.

Now that you have your new-to-you camera gear, it’s time to sell or trade in some items you no longer use.

KEH will take camera equipment off your hands. So, if you’re interested in selling or trading your gear, KEH can help you out.

Selling Your Camera

Buying camera equipment can be quite an investment. That’s why it can be tough to part ways with your gear.

Yet, KEH makes the process simpler for you. If you have equipment that you don’t use or need, then you can sell it to them.

All you have to do is inspect the condition of your camera. Then go to the KEH SELL page and use their quick and easy SELL Wizard to create and submit your quote. After that, you can sit back, relax, and wait for KEH to send you your offer for which you can get paid via PayPal or check.

Trading Your Camera

Instead of selling your camera equipment, you can trade it in. That means you’ll swap whatever gear you have on hand for credit toward new items.

To do that you first need to create a quote just like in the KEH SELL process. After that, you can give KEH a call to reserve the item you want to purchase.

If you prefer, you can handle the entire transaction on the phone with a KEH associate or even schedule a video chat to complete your gear evaluation and order creation face-to-face with an expert KEH buyer.

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As soon as your offer is ready, they’ll reach out to complete the transaction and they’ll get your new purchase in route straightaway.

Finally, you can kick back and wait for your new items to arrive!

Benefits of Selling or Trading to KEH Camera

There are countless advantages to selling or trading camera equipment that you don’t use. Here are a few of the most notable benefits:

  • Receive a 10% bonus on the value of your equipment.
  • Enjoy free returns.
  • Choose between payment options such as Check, Venmo, or PayPal.
  • Get free shipping on quotes of $50+
  • Experience the convenience of free Front Door pickup for quotes of $300+.
  • Utilize the user-friendly web quote SELL Wizard for anytime self-service.
  • Schedule virtual appointments for live Zoom calls, providing a more personalized experience, accurate quotes, and expert advice
  • KEH enables you to invest in practical items, promotes environmental sustainability through equipment recycling, helps declutter your camera equipment storage, eliminates the hassle of public auctions, and saves you time by providing easy access to the products you desire.
  • Experts take care of exactly what to check when buying used camera lenses

Other Beneficial KEH Camera Services

A person repairing a DSLR camera.

In addition to their buying and selling of camera equipment, KEH offers a range of additional services that can be beneficial to you.

Let’s take a brief look at these services and how they can assist you.

1. Camera and Lens Repairs: KEH has a team of skilled technicians who can repair a wide range of equipment (see below) including both modern digital equipment and vintage film gear. They offer free repair estimates and all their repair work is backed by a 180-day warranty. KEH repairs:

2. Trade-In and Upgrade: If you’re looking to upgrade your camera gear, KEH offers a trade-in service. You can trade in your old gear for KEH store credit, and then use that credit to purchase newer or higher-quality equipment from their inventory.

3. Affiliate Program: KEH offers an affiliate marketing program. If you have a photography blog, YouTube channel, or a large social media following, you could earn a commission by promoting KEH and referring customers to them.

That means, no matter what you need fixed, KEH should be of assistance.

KEH operates on a first-come-first-served basis. Repairs typically take anywhere from two to three weeks.

The duration may vary depending on the specific issue with the equipment.  equipment.

Final Words on KEH Camera

KEH offers numerous benefits and services for photographers of all expertise levels and niches.

Being able to purchase used gear at significantly reduced prices allows you to acquire more gear for the same budget.

Additionally, the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability is evident through their equipment recycling initiatives.

KEH caters to photographers of diverse backgrounds, ensuring that everyone can find equipment that aligns with their unique style and requirements.

The company takes pride in serving a wide range of customers, from beginners to advanced users, and embraces the artistry of photographers at every level.

KEH is an invaluable resource for both aspiring and experienced content creators and influencers.

While investing in gear can be expensive, it’s important to remember that you don’t necessarily need the latest and most expensive equipment to produce exceptional content that resonates with your audience.

KEH offers a cost-effective solution without compromising on quality or creativity.

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