KEH Camera Blog

Burke & James Orbit 4x5 Monorail

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Burke & James Inc. was a Chicago, IL based camera dealer and manufacturer that operated between 1897-1981. Burke & James specialized in view cameras, portrait cameras, fingerprint cameras, lenses and darkroom sinks. The Orbit 4x5 Monorail is a type of large format view camera produced by Burke & James.

The 1963 Burke & James Photographic Equipment and Instrumentation catalog available HERE (courtesy of Bonus Manuals) has a great vintage advertisement for the Orbit Monorail Camera. The Orbit boasts features such as a construction of all metal with an "improved design" and corrosion resistance "for use in any climate", plus the eye catching red bellows make the camera an interesting part of photography history.

Click HERE to view the Burke & James Orbit 4x5 monorail camera on the KEH Camera Outlet on eBay.

Zeiss Ikon Contarex Bullseye

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

The first Contarex, also know as the "Bullseye" or "Cyclops", is a 35mm SLR camera that debuted in 1958. It was widely available to consumers between 1959-1960, and was produced until 1966. The "Bullseye" name is derived from the distinctive selenium cell light meter located on the front of the camera. The Contarex was manufactured by Zeiss Ikon to compete with the Leica rangefinders that dominated the professional 35mm camera industry at the time.

Zeiss Ikon was known for producing top quality cameras, and the Contarex Bullseye was no exception. It features a rugged construction, and weighs approximately 2.6 lbs. It is also mechanically complex with over 1,100 parts. The Contarex it is a well built camera with impeccable attention to detail, and is a desirable piece for collectors.

Click HERE to view the Contarex Bullseye on the KEH Camera Outlet on eBay.

Featured Items of the Month

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Items selected from the KEH Camera website:

Pentax AF200FG (GN65) Shoe Mount Flash w/ Case. LN-, $84.00.

Nikon 55-300mm f4.5-5.6 G ED DX AF-S VR Zoom Lens. Refurbished, LN-, $249.95.

Pentax 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 SMC DA AL II Digital Zoom Lens. LN-, $89.00.

Pentax D-BG3 Battery Grip w/ Vertical Release (for Pentax K200D). LN-, $45.00.

Minolta X-700 Manual Focus 35mm Camera Body. EX, $59.00.

Mamiya RB 127mm f3.5 KL L Manual Focus Lens w/ Adapter (Pro S, SD), Hood, & Caps. LN-, $179.00.

Items selected from the KEH Camera Outlet on eBay:

Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Sonar OneStep. Buy It Now, $149.00.

Polaroid 900DF Razzle Land Camera (Modified) w/ 150mm f5.6 Fujinon-W Lens. Pink, Buy It Now, $549.00.

Pelican 1500 Hard Camera Case w/ Blue Dividers & Foam Lid. Orange, Buy It Now, $139.00.

Vintage "Hippie" Camera Strap. Red, Blue & Black, Buy It Now, $14.99.

Colorful Cameras For Spring

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Now that Spring is here, the flowers are blooming and there's no better time to enjoy the beautiful colors of the season. If you're looking to add a vibrant touch to your photography gear, be sure to check out some of the colorful camera equipment available on the KEH Camera website.

Pentax Optio S1 14 M/P Digital Point & Shoot Camera w/ Cables, CD, Battery & Charger. Green, LN, $79.00.

Pentax K-X 12.4 M/P Digital SLR Camera Body w/ 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 DAL AL Lens. Navy, LN, $325.00.

Nikon One J1 10.1 M/P Digital SLR Camera Body w/ 10-30mm f3.5-5.6 VR Lens, Battery & Charger. Red, LN, $225.00.

Pentax K-01 16 M/P Digital SLR Camera Body. Yellow, LN, $275.00.

Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS 14.1 M/P Digital Point & Shoot Camera w/ Battery & Charger. Pink, EX, $99.00.

Pentax K-X 12.4 M/P Digital SLR Camera Body w/ 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 DAL AL Lens. Purple, LN, $325.00. Camera also available in Black, Beige, Blue & Pink.

Pentax Optio RZ10 14.1 M/P Digital Point & Shoot Camera w/ Cables, CD, Battery & Charger. Lime, LN, $94.00.

Free Shipping + Reduced Prices

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Now through Sunday, enjoy FREE shipping on your order of NEW or USED equipment of $100.00 or more. We are also in the process of reducing prices on thousands of digital items. This is a great opportunity to save big on all your favorite digital bodies, lenses and accessories!

To qualify for free shipping, place an order of $100.00 or more of NEW or USED equipment online or by phone between Friday, May 10 and Sunday, May 12 (promotion ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time), and receive FREE shipping via FedEx Ground anywhere in the contiguous United States. Qualifying international and expedited shipping orders will receive a credit of $9.95 towards shipping costs. Promotion is not applicable to prior purchases or existing orders.

Shop now by visiting us on online at www.keh.com, or by contacting our sales department via telephone at (770) 333-4200. Our friendly and knowledgeable sales representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m - 9:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.

Blog and Social Media Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The KEH Camera Blog and Social Media Department will be on a mini "vacation" between Wednesday, May 1 and Wednesday, May 8. Our blog and social media activity will resume on Thursday, May 9.

For immediate sales/customer service inquiries, please contact the KEH Camera Sales Department at (770) 333-4200. Sales Department hours are Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.

We look forward to returning next week!

T-Max Semi Stand Development Process

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

In this article I will explain a technique for using T-Max developer in a high-dilution solution to extend development times and provide a generally foolproof development strategy, not only for T-Max film, but also other film.

All of the images for this article were scanned on a Screen Cézanne flatbed scanner and edited as needed in Photoshop CS5. Please refer to the image caption for specific technical details regarding the equipment and development process used for each photograph.

Example 1: Nikon F4, 55mm f/2.8 Micro AF Lens, T-Max 100 35mm film rated at ISO 50, T-Max RS developer at 1:19 dilution, semi-stand development.

Kodak's T-Max film and corresponding T-Max developer (or T-Max RS for sheet films) is a combination formulated specifically for high resolution, low grain photos. Despite having a relatively straightforward development routine, T-Max film and developer can be a frustrating combo without rigorous testing and strict adherence to time and temperature controls.

Example 2: Nikon F2, 20mm f/2.8 AF-D Lens, T-Max 100 35mm film rated at ISO 50, T-Max RS developer at 1:32 dilution, semi-stand development.

Kodak's recommended dilution for T-Max developers is 1:4, or 1:9 for longer development times. What I have experimented with is using dilutions of 1:19 up to 1:50 with "semi-stand" development. With semi-stand development, I would add the diluted developer to the tank and agitate for 30 seconds, and then leave the tank alone for 30 minutes. At that time I would do another 30 seconds of agitation and leave the tank for another 30 minutes (total of 1 hour). Finally, I would fix and wash as normal. This hands-off development procedure is very simple, and generally the temperature of the solution is not critical (it was generally between 65 and 70 degrees F).

Example 3: Nikon SP, 50mm f/1.4 Lens, T-Max 100 35mm film rated at ISO 50, T-Max developer at 1:32 dilution, semi-stand development.

Using the developer in this way was also conducive to one-shot development. I diluted the developer to the proper dilution and used it once, and then threw out the chemicals. Due to the high dilution, a 1-liter stock solution should last you for many, many rolls of film (probably around 100 35mm rolls of film).

Example 4: Mamiya 645 PRO, 80mm f/1.9 Lens, Tri-X 400 120 film rated at ISO 200, T-Max developer at 1:32 dilution, semi-stand development.

My findings concluded that, generally speaking, every film should be shot at about half the recommended ISO or ASA. For T-Max 100, I shoot it at 50. For Tri-X 400, I use ISO 200. The dilution of the developer determined contrast, similar to what one would do with time and agitation, a la the Zone System (refer to Ansel Adams' seminal book The Negative for more information).

Example 5: Mamiya 645 Pro, 45mm f/2.8 Lens, Tech-Pan 120 film rated at ISO 25, T-Max RS developer at 1:40 dilution, semi-stand development.

For N development (normal contrast, what most shots need), a dilution of 1:32 worked well. For increased contrast (N+), the 1:19 dilution was best. And finally, for less contrast (N-), 1:39 became my standard. A 1:50 dilution was generally too much, but for scenes with a lot of contrast, it might be appropriate. These dilutions worked the same whether using T-Max developer or the RS version.

Example 6: Chamonix 4x5, Schneider G-Claron 150mm f/9 Lens, T-Max 100 film rated at 100, T-Max RS developer at 1:39 dilution, semi-stand development.

As with any development recipe, you should definitely test and determine your own EI (exposure index). You may find that slightly different dilutions give you better results. These results reflect what worked best for me. I am continuing to experiment with this technique with different films and situations, so it is an ongoing "development."

I hope that this development recipe gives you another tool to use with your film photos.

Contributor Bio:
Bryan Garris is a musician, recording engineer and photographer in Valdosta, GA. He enjoys shooting film in all formats, from 35mm to 8x10, and teaches photography classes in the area. To see more of his film work highlighting the South GA area, visit his blog at valdostafilm.blogspot.com.

Free Shipping is Back!

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Free shipping is BACK for a limited time! This weekend only, enjoy FREE shipping on all orders of NEW and USED gear over $100.00. Start the season off right by stocking up on all the camera gear you'll need for Spring!

To qualify for free shipping, place an order of $100.00 or more of NEW or USED equipment online or by phone between Friday, April 26 and Sunday, April 28 (promotion ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time), and receive FREE shipping via FedEx Ground anywhere in the contiguous United States. Qualifying international and expedited shipping orders will receive a credit of $9.95 towards shipping costs. Promotion is not applicable to prior purchases or existing orders.

Shop now by visiting us on online at www.keh.com, or by contacting our sales department via telephone at (770) 333-4200. Our friendly and knowledgeable sales representatives will be happy to help you with all of your camera equipment needs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m - 9:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Eastern time.

Photos of the Month

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

All images submitted to and chosen from the KEH Camera Flickr Group pool. To view a photographer's profile, click on the image to be directed to their Flickr page.

Thank you to our Flickr members for the wonderful submissions. Please join our group, and your photograph might be featured in next month's post!


Sunflower, by Ben Davis


Spring Light, by Tammy Lee Bradley

Beauty Before Light, by John Cothron

Texture, by Eastview Photography

Untitled, by Ygalyk

Happy, by Swedish Fury

Hinge, by Enio Godoy


Wild Red Tail Hawk Portrait, by Kristofer Rowe

Clouds Over the Marin Headlands, by David W. Sumner

Blue Eyes, by M. Patrick Kavanaugh

Get Paid to Recycle Your Camera

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

As today is Earth Day, it's the perfect opportunity to recycle your old camera equipment. Instead of your camera collecting dust in your closet or basement, consider selling or trading in your old gear. Not only is it a great option for the environment, but you can make some extra cash too.

For 34 years, KEH Camera has been dedicated to reselling, reusing and recycling photographic equipment, and we are here to help you with environmentally friendly options regarding your used camera gear. Get paid to recycle by selling or trading in your used film or digital bodies, lenses, flashes and accessories.

We are not always able to make an offer to purchase certain older or broken items. However, we will be happy to help you recycle your used photographic gear in an environmentally friendly manner if you would like to donate them to KEH. We are able to recycle and repurpose countless photographic items.

The process is easy and free. All you have to do is contact our purchasing department via email or by telephone at (770) 333-4220 or (800) 342-5534. We always pay top market value for clean, used gear, and shipping is free.

Whether you decide to sell, trade or donate your used camera equipment, you'll feel good about saving time, money and helping the environment.

A Camera Technician's Testing Tools

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Just as the cleaning tools featured in A Camera Technician's Cleaning Tools are an important step in the equipment grading process at KEH Camera, our technicians utilize a variety of testing tools to thoroughly check the working condition of every piece of equipment before it is made available for sale. Below is a behind the scenes look at some of the testing tools used by our technicians to ensure that each item we sell will be in good working order once it reaches our customers.

What: Filter Ring Tool
Use: Repairs Slightly Bent Front Lens Rings

What: Spanner Wrench & Adjustable Spanners
Use: Remove Retaining Rings on Lens Boards

What: Light Box
Use: Creates Grey Scale for Checking Digital Sensor Imperfections

What: Unique Soft Edge Sensor Cleaning Swabs, D-SLR Brush, 7X Visible Dust® Sensor Loupe & Digital Sensor Cleaning Fluid
Use: Cleans Digital SLR Sensors

What: LensAlign® MkII
Use: Tests Back Focusing & Calibrates Focus of Lenses

What: Minolta Collimator RC 1000 III Machine
Use: Tests Focus & Infinity

What: ZTS Tester V & Light Standard
Use: Checks Shutter Speeds of Leaf & Focal Plane Cameras

What: Kyoritsu Tester
Use: Checks Shutter Speeds for Specific Tolerances on Hasselblad Equipment

- Omar Hosein

KEH's Most Wanted

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Featured below are a selection of KEH Camera's "most wanted" items of the month. We are currently seeking digital & film bodies, lenses, flashes and major accessories in all formats, but the featured items below are at the top of our "most wanted" list this month.

Canon EOS 5D 12.8 M/P Camera Body w/ Battery & Charger

Canon EOS 100mm f2.8 Macro L IS USM Lens

Canon EOS 60D 18.1 M/P Camera Body w/ Battery & Charger

Canon EOS Rebel T4i 18 M/P Camera Body w/ Battery & Charger

Nikon D700 12.1 M/P Camera Body w/ Battery & Charger

Rollei TLR Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Manual Focus Fixed Lens Camera

Minolta Flash Meter VI

Large Format 4x5 Toyo 45CF Field Folding Camera*

Bronica ETRsi Medium Format Camera Body*

* We currently need all clean, gently used medium format equipment & large format field cameras.

In addition to the photographic equipment featured above, we are also looking to purchase the following gear:

* Canon EOS: 7D, 40D, 50D, 5D Mark II, 5D Mark II, 6D and Rebel T3i

* Nikon: D300, D600, and D90

* Rollei TLR: Rolleiflex 2.8 F, 2.8 G, 2.8 FX and 3.5 F

* Lenses: All Canon IS and Nikon VR lenses

* Meters: Pentax Digital Spotmeter, Pentax Spotmeter V and Minolta Spotmeter F

To sell any of the above featured items (or if you have other gear you'd like to sell), please contact us via email or give us a call at (770) 333-4220 or (800) 342-5534. If you are unsure about an item, just ask! Your used camera equipment may be worth more than you think.

A Camera Technician's Cleaning Tools

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

One of the most important steps in the equipment grading process at KEH Camera is making sure the camera gear is fully cleaned in order to achieve the most accurate grade possible. Every piece of equipment is given a general cleaning before it even reaches a technician's desk. Some of the cameras and lenses we see on a daily basis are decades old, but with a thorough cleaning they can look as good as new.

Every technician has an air hose at his or her desk to blow dust off of the camera equipment. For more delicate items, we use a rubber air blower to remove dust and debris. It directs a delicate current of air to remove dust, and has a one-way valve to prevent dust from spreading back into the equipment.

Giottos® Air Blower

For more stubborn dirt and dust, we use a variety of brushes to clean the camera equipment. Toothbrushes with soft bristles can be used to scrub certain kinds of equipment. A good way to clean up the rubber on a camera grip or lens is to scrub it with a toothbrush. This cleans off the oxidation, which appears as a white residue.

Variety of Brushes for Cleaning

We also use a product by STP® called Son of a Gun!®, a protective polymer silicone formula spray that will moisturize and renew the rubber commonly used on cameras. Products like naphtha or lighter fluid can be used to de-grease metal parts or to remove any other material off of metal surfaces.

Cleaning Solvents for Rubber & Metal Surfaces

Some of the equipment we see will have battery corrosion. Heat from general use over time or from storing the equipment in warm or humid areas will cause batteries to expand and leak a chemical paste of potassium hydroxide. When the chemicals come in contact with the spring and terminal of the electronic it is powering, it produces a blue-green powder as it corrodes the metal. The best way to keep this from happening is to remove any batteries while the item is not in use. If we see that a camera or flash has battery corrosion we can use vinegar to remove it. Sometimes the equipment can be saved and sometimes the metal terminals are too far corroded to work.

Eraser Pencil Used to Clean Flash Hot Shoe

Often we will see electric contacts on flash hot shoes, lenses or camera bodies with dirt and corrosion. This can cause the flash to not fire, or the camera to not recognize when a lens is attached. A simple pencil eraser can be used to clean the contacts. We use eraser pencils, which can be sharpened to clean smaller areas.

Eraser Pencil Used to Clean Lens Contacts

Other liquids commonly found on a technician's desk are alcohol and Windex® to clean glass. We use a diluted mixture of Windex®, alcohol, and distilled water on most optical glass, which is great for removing smudges and marks without leaving streaks or residue.

Variety of Liquids Used for Cleaning

To clean optical glass we use cotton Q-tips® and Kimtech® tissues that are gentle and won't scratch the surface.

Q-tips® & Kimtech® Tissues for Cleaning Optical Glass

To clean the front or rear glass of a lens we dip the Q-tip® into the diluted Windex® mixture, gently wipe the lens in circular motions working from the center out, and then wipe it off with the tissue. It is very important to make sure there are no large particles of dust or debris in this process, which can scratch the glass.

Applying Diluted Cleaning Fluid to Q-tip®

Gently Cleaning Front Lens Element

Wiping Front Lens Element With Tissue

A quick cleaning can drastically improve the appearance and picture quality of a camera or lens. In addition to these tools and methods, the KEH Camera Repair Center offers sensor cleanings and internal glass cleanings for lenses with dust inside.

- Mollie Damon

For your camera equipment maintenance & repair needs, please visit the KEH Camera Repair Center online or contact them by telephone at (770) 333-4210.

Please note that the nature of this article is to be informative and we do not condone the repetition of its contents. If you choose to clean your own camera equipment, you do so at your own risk. We recommend that cleaning and repair services be provided by a trained technician.

Newly Added Digital Pentax Gear!

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:30:00 +0000

We've just added $600,000 in digital Pentax gear to our inventory. That's more than 2,500 digital Pentax items that are available now and ready to ship.

This huge addition to our Pentax digital selection is straight from the manufacturer, and includes tons of current and discontinued products in almost new condition.

Don't miss this opportunity to stock up on all your favorite Pentax DSLR bodies, lenses, mirrorless cameras, flashes and accessories!

To shop KEH Camera's selection of digital Pentax equipment, click HERE.

Your purchase is backed by a 14 day return privilege and 6 month KEH Camera warranty, so you can shop with confidence.

For additional information and reviews on Pentax equipment, be sure to check out the following websites:

* Official Pentax Product Website
* Pentax Forum Camera Reviews
* Imaging Resource Pentax Reviews
* Digital Photography Review (Pentax)

Featured Items of the Month

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Items selected from the KEH Camera website:

Leica Screwmount Nicca 3-S 35mm Manual Focus Body. EX, $245.00.

Nikon Rangefinder S2 Leather Camera Body Case w/ Strap. Black, EX, $225.00.

Mamiya 645 Auto Focus 22 M/P ZD Back w/ Battery & Charger. EX+, $2569.00.

Pentax 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 SMC DA AL Digital SLR Zoom Lens. EX+, $53.00.

Rollei 35 40mm f3.5 Tessar Chrome Manual Focus Fixed Lens Camera. BGN, $172.00.

Polaroid 185 Land Camera (Rare) Manula Focus Fixed Lens Camera w/ Front Cover. EX+, $3959.00.

Items selected from the KEH Camera Outlet on eBay:

Nikonos RS Auto Focus Underwater Camera w/ 50mm f2.8 Lens. Buy It Now, $719.00.

Minolta 200mm f2.8 APO Auto Focus Telephoto Lens. White, Buy It Now, $949.00.

Canon VT Rangefinder Camera Body. Buy It Now, $289.00.

Revere Stereo 33 35mm Film Camera. Buy It Now, $199.00.

An Introduction to Large Sensor Compact Cameras

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

In the last few years we have seen a new trend in compact cameras. Select manufacturers have decided to trade making a camera as small as possible for the higher image quality that comes with having a larger sensor.

The beneﬁt of a large sensor is improved image quality. It gives better dynamic range, better colors, and better low-light performance. To make the most of these sensors, the companies have also looked at the other aspects of the camera to make it appeal to a more discerning photographer. They are coupling them with a higher-grade lens that is able to optimize the photos coming out of the camera. They also have paid special attention to the controls. Some companies have gone for simple controls, while others try to pack the camera full of features. All of the cameras are designed for professional photographers who may want something smaller to have on the side, or for an advanced amateur who appreciates what these cameras offer.

The ﬁrst large sensor compact released was the Leica X1. The X1 has a 12 megapixel APS-C sensor that is the same size that many DSLRs use. The X1 was designed to be easy to operate, with the best possible image quality. They created a 24mm (36mm equivalent) f2.8 lens that was designed specifically for this camera. It is sharp, with great color reproduction. This is a camera for a person who likes to take their time when taking their photos, and is looking for the best possible image quality. Leica has followed the X1 with the X2. In typical Leica fashion, the X2 is an evolution of the X1. It offers a higher resolution of 16 megapixels, a faster auto focus system, and a few other improvements.

Perhaps the most popular of these new cameras has been the Fuji X100. It has a 12 megapixel APS-C sensor and 35mm equivalent lens and looks like a classic rangeﬁnder camera. Fuji incorporated a hybrid viewﬁnder into the X100 that is switchable between an optical or electronic viewﬁnder at the ﬂip of a switch. This allows the photographer to work in whichever way they prefer. The X100 has been widely adopted for the quality of it’s photos and innovative design. And like Leica, Fuji has recently updated the X100 to the X100s. Fuji has included it’s new 16 megapixel X Trans sensor that has a unique ﬁlter array to improve the overall resolution of the camera. Fuji has improved AF as well as the low light capabilities of the camera.

Canon took a different approach when designing the G1X. Instead of using an APS-C sensor, the sensor in the G1X is 20 percent smaller, but is still larger than other point and shoot cameras on the market. They also included a zoom with a 28-112mm equivalent range. Canon wanted this to be a good back up to photographers who are using their DSLR cameras. The controls will be familiar to someone who uses a Canon 5D Mark III or 7D. There is also an articulated screen for more versatility in composing photos or video.

Sony has made an exciting entrance into this market by releasing the RX1. It is the ﬁrst company to release a compact camera with a full frame sensor. This means that the sensor is the same size as a 35mm negative and the same as the top DSLR cameras. This allows the best possible image quality. They have mated it with a Carl Zeiss 35mm f2 lens that was designed especially for this camera. It has the photo quality of the best cameras on the market, but is small enough to ﬁt into a jacket pocket. Sony has delivered an unparalleled tool for photo taking. From it’s small size to it’s amazing photos, this is a camera for the photographer who wants the best compact camera available.

The new kid on the block is the Nikon Coolpix A. It has a 16 megapixel APS-C sensor and a 28mm f2.8 lens. They decided on a wider angle lens, to separate the Coolpix A from the pack. They have made it easy to use for someone using their medium range DSLR camera or the high-end point and shoots like the P7700. It has many of the features found in Nikon’s best cameras, including the Creative Lighting System for amazing TTL ﬂash photography.

This is a segment of cameras that I see growing over the next few years as camera phones continue to be used as the go-to camera for most people. People are going to need a reason to buy a compact camera instead of using their phones, and this just might be the answer.

- Josh Bearden

The (Rare) Polaroid 185 Land Camera

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Land Cameras were instant film cameras created in 1947 by scientist and Polaroid founder, Edwin Land. Although the idea of self-developing film was not new at the time, it was Edwin Land’s innovation in photography and optics that popularized the modern instant camera and made Polaroid a household name.

The Polaroid 185 Land Camera is one of the more rare cameras produced by Polaroid, and part of their professional series of folding pack film cameras. Not to be confused with the limited edition Model 185 manufactured by Polaroid Japan in 2000, the original 185 Land Camera was released in the 1960s. Polaroid also produced the superficially similar 180, 190, and 195 professional folding cameras around the same time period as the 185, but they are not as scarce.

One of the factors contributing to the rare nature of the 185 Land Camera is the presumption that Polaroid never released the camera for sale to the general public. Many camera historians and collectors believe the camera was created specifically as gifts for the relatives, friends, and business associates of Edwin Land.

According to McKeown’s Price Guide to Antique & Classic Cameras, approximately 30 of the original Polaroid 185 cameras were manufactured. However, there is speculation amongst camera historians and collectors that the actual number of 185 Land Cameras in existence is in the range of 50 to 200. Despite an official production quantity, the undeniable rarity of the camera coupled with the scarcity of available information adds to the elusive nature of the 185 Land Camera.

The Polaroid 185 Land Camera features a Mamiya 114mm f5.6 lens, a Copal mechanical leaf shutter, and a Zeiss Ikon single window viewfinder/rangefinder. The camera also has manual exposure capabilities, folding bellows, and a built-in coupled CdS exposure meter. Unlike other similarly designed Land Cameras that included a flat case, the protective shell for the 185 was specifically designed to fit securely around the Mamiya lens. The Polaroid 185 Land Camera also utilizes 100-series peel-apart pack film.

The faster glass lenses, mechanical leaf shutters, and manual exposure capabilities all attribute to the noteworthy quality of the professional series Land Cameras. Those qualities, paired with the rarity of the 185 Land Camera, make it a truly coveted model for Polaroid collectors and enthusiasts.

-L.M.

* We currently have one of these cameras (with the front cover) available for sale in EX+ condition. Click HERE to view the Polaroid 185 Land Camera on the KEH Camera website.

* In addition to selling rare and collectible items, we love to BUY them too! If you have any rare or collectible cameras or other photographic equipment that you would like to sell to us, please send us an email at purchasing@keh.com, or give us a call at (770) 333-4220 or (800) 342-5534.

New Extended Sales Hours!

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

In order to serve you better, we are offering new extended sales department hours.

Our sales department may be reached by telephone at (770) 333-4200 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time (6:00 p.m. Pacific Time). That's an extra 2 hours each weekday!

Our extended hours allow us to serve both our East and West Coast customers, as well as our customers all over the world, in the most convenient manner possible.

We are excited about this change, and look forward to providing a great customer experience!

Tips for Making a Purchase at KEH

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

As you know, there are two ways to order from KEH: you can order online, at www.keh.com, or you can call our main sales line (770) 333-4200. The Internet, wonderful thing that it is, is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – the sales line, with actual live humans, is available 8:30am-7:00pm Eastern, Monday thru Friday, and 10:00am - 4:00pm Eastern, on Saturday’s. The sales line is occasionally closed, but only on major US holidays.

Now I’m sure a lot of you are wondering what is ‘the best way to place an order’ is – well, I’m glad you asked, because I’m here to help you out with step-by-step instructions and hints!

Ordering online is very simple:

Ensure that your computer is turned on.
Put on sunglasses as you search the site, so the computer can’t look back in to your brain (You know that they’re watching you, don’t you?). You might also want to consider a tinfoil hat.
Make sure that on the day the items are to arrive, that you have taken the day off and are home – you never know what kind of crazy shenanigans a camera can get into while not being supervised, especially one that was ordered over the Internet.
Don’t answer the doorbell when the delivery person leaves the package – if you answer the door, then something will invariably be wrong with the order. However, you must make sure that the instant the delivery truck has left eyesight to bring in the package immediately, or the entire order could malfunction.
Remember, once you have received your order, send an email to 10 people about your experience (and pass along these hints!), or for the next 7 years, all of your images will be out of focus!

Ordering over the phone can be just as easy:

Make a list of everything that you’re looking for, including your dream items, and stick to this list regardless if the sales person tells you those items don’t exist.
Turn out all lights in the room you’re in, as you don’t want the sales person to see any confusion on your face.
Use as many languages and accents as possible during the transaction just to keep things interesting.
Ask the sales person to add a random item to your order and not tell you what it is in order to keep the final order and your package a big surprise.
Once you have received your order, call 10 people about your experience (and pass along these hints!), or for the next 7 years, all of your images will automatically be selective color and with someone else’s watermark on them.

I hope that this has made things much easier and more understandable. And, by the way, April Fools of course!

Related: A past 4/1 favorite, Awesome Photo Tips Nobody Ever Told You About

- SM

And The Giveaway Winner Is...

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Congrats Sarah! And thanks to everyone who entered!

* Winner was chosen at random via Random.org and Rafflecopter. Winner has been notified and has 10 days to claim their prize. In the event that the winner does not respond within that time period, another winner will be chosen.

How I Shoot the KEH Product Photos

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Todays post is from the KEH product photographer, Deborah Hodgin. She typically shoots anywhere from 200-300 items a day, primarily for our eBay store.

Lets start with gear. I shoot with a Canon EOS 50D paired with a Canon EFS 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens. The lens has a Canon EW-60C shade on it, and the hot shoe mount has a RPS Studio Series II remote attached. The settings always stay the same since the studio stays set up the same, and there are no windows with changing light conditions in there. Mine are set on ISO-100, aperture-25, and shutter speed-60. My off-camera gear consists of 2 Calumet light stands, 2 Travelite 750 speed lights, 2 Photoflex white umbrellas, and a RPS Studio Serries II receiver.

The basic set up is a table with a white backdrop coming down the wall and across the table creating an “L” shape. Attaching the umbrellas and speed lights to the light stands, I have placed one on either side of the table (as shown in the picture below). One speed light is set to go off when it sees a flash, while the other has the receiver attached. The remote goes on the hot shoe mount of the camera, and I’m ready to shoot!

The main focus when shooting my products is to stay inside the white. When shooting, it should be properly framed when I take the shot to cancel out any extra editing in the post-photo production. I make sure white is the only background in the picture. When I’m shooting larger objects than the space allotted, then editing can whiten out the space past the backdrop, but it will take more time and won't look quite as clean.

Depending on what I’m shooting, there may be issues with glare. This is a state of preference- I personally prefer cameras and lenses to be free of glare, as I feel this creates a sleeker look. There are tents you can buy to prevent glare, but I have built my own using white paper. It must be regular paper to allow the light to still come through. Card stock will be too thick and block the light.

Post-production is very simple since I use a droplet that has been created (In Photoshop, you can create a droplet with presets that you can add to every photo.). I simply select the photos I have just taken and drag them on to the droplet icon on my desktop. Photoshop does the rest for me. The presets I use on my droplet are open file, auto color, unsharpen filter, and close file. Unless I have to edit for going outside of the white background, I’m then done!

Photos of the Month Special Edition: People With Camera Gear

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

A special and additional "Photos of the Month" today with the theme of "People with Camera Gear". All images submitted to and chosen from the KEH Camera Flickr Group pool (join our group!). To view a photographers profile, click on the image to be directed to their Flickr page.

E6 35mm tests Ektachrome 200, by Fabio Ventura

Sam Leica 90 Cron Portrea 400, by Johnny Martyr

Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, by Debbie

Juli and the Nikon FE, by Chase Elliott Clark

Self and Rolleiflex, by berntln

Berlin 2012, by Richard Roca

Untitled, by Cole McDaniel

Lake Photographer- China, by Melvin Farris

My Office Work, by Paul Vecsei

How To: Turn a Photo Into a Coloring Book Page

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

This is a fun little activity to do with kids (or if you just like to color yourself)! Start by taking a photo, or letting your little one take a photo. It can be of anything, a person, a place, or a thing. A few suggestions are photos of favorite toys or of family members.

Open up the photo in Photoshop or other photo editing software. The following steps are for Photoshop users, but similar steps can be taken in other programs.

Convert your photo to black and white.

Adjust your levels and contrast settings to make your image pop a bit more than usual. This will help when you add your filter on. Next, go up to the filter menu, and choose artisitc, and poster edges. For the example below, I adjusted the edge thickness to 4, edge intensity to 2, and posterization to 5. Play with the settings until you get your desired effect, or you can go with my suggested settings. (Tip- If you plan on making a lot of these, you can create an action so that each time you open up a photo you want to turn into a coloring page, you just run it through the action and it will automatically complete all of the steps for you.)

Once your filter is on, adjust your levels again until you bump the contrast of the image up so that there's primarily white, black outlines, and a small amount of grey shading on the darker areas of the image.

From here, you can cut out the background if needed (for an individual object, or copy and paste multiple objects onto one page if desired). You may also wish to clean up any edges with the eraser tool, and do a bit of dodging and burning. These are optional steps and may or may not be needed depending on your image.

Now you're ready resize (to whatever size you want to print it as), print, and color!

A few additional tips- The best images to use for this are images with a lot of light colors or tones in it. It's much easier to take a light color all the way to white then it is if you have one with lots of dark colors. Pre-visualize how your original image will translate into a coloring book page. Objects tend to work better then landscapes.

To turn this activity into a more educational experience, add text to the bottom of your coloring pages before printing with the name of the objects. For example, if you're trying to teach a child the name of their toys, and are taking images of those for your coloring pages, label each one under the object- "horse", "ball", "doll", etc.

- Jenn Fletcher

KEH's Most Wanted

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Featured below are a selection of KEH Camera's "most wanted" items of the month. We are currently seeking digital & film bodies, lenses, flashes and major accessories in all formats, but the featured items below are at the top of our "most wanted" list this month.

We've raised the buy prices on digital and film equipment, which means we are able to offer more money for the purchase of your clean, used gear.

Canon EOS 7D 18 M/P Digital Camera w/ Battery & Charger

Canon PowerShot G11 10 M/P Digital Point & Shoot Camera w/ Battery & Charger

Canon EOS 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM Telephoto Lens

Canon EOS Speedlite 580 EX Shoe Mount Flash

Nikon 50mm f1.4 D Auto Focus Lens

Nikon 105mm f2.8 D Micro Auto Focus Lens

Nikon 85mm f2 AIS Manual Focus Lens

Contax 645 Auto Focus Medium Format Camera Body

Contax 645 Auto Focus AE MF-1 Prism

Pentax Digital Spotmeter

In addition to the photographic equipment featured above, we are also looking to purchase the following gear:

Canon EOS:

* 5D, 40D, 50D, Rebel T1i, Rebel T2i, Rebel T3i

* 20mm f2.8 USM, 50mm f1.4 USM, 50mm f1.8 AF, 100 f2.8 Macro L IS USM, 180 f3.5 Macro L USM, 35-350 f3.5-5.6 L USM, 50-200 f3.5-5.6 L USM, 70-200 f4 L IS USM, 70-200 f4 L USM

* All EX and EX II model flashes

Nikon:

* D600, D90, D3200

* 50mm f1.4, 50mm f1.4 G, 50mm f1.8, 50mm f1.8 D, 50mm f1.4 G, 60mm f2.8 G Micro, 80mm f1.8, 85mm f1.8 D, 85mm f1.8 G

Nikon Manual Focus:

* 85mm f1.4 AIS, 105mm f2.5 AIS, 200mm f4 Micro AIS

Contax 645 Auto Focus:

* 35mm f3.5, 55mm f3.5, 80mm f2, 140mm f2.8

* 120/220 film back

Pentax Auto Focus:

* 31mm f1.8 SMC FA AL, 43mm f1.9 SMA FA AL, 50mm f2.8 SMC Macro D FA, 50mm f2.8 SMC Macro FA, 77mm f1.8 SMC FA

Meters:

* Pentax Spotmeter V, Minolta Spotmeter F, Minolta Flash Meter VI

To sell any of the above featured items (or if you have other gear you'd like to sell), please contact us via email or give us a call at (770) 333-4220 or (800) 342-5534. If you are unsure about an item, just ask! Your used camera equipment may be worth more than you think.

We look forward to hearing from you!

It's Giveaway Time!

noreply@blogger.com (KEH Camera) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Prizes: A $25 KEH Camera Gift Certificate (not pictured), a Kodak Duraflex III beeswax camera candle, a Kodak Brownie Holiday beeswax camera candle, a vintage camera strap, and a selection of KEH Camera branded goodies.

The two camera candles are courtesy of Mower Photography Shop on Etsy. The Duraflex candle measures approximately 5" tall, and the Brownie candle measures ~ 3" tall.

Vintage camera strap courtesy of the KEH eBay Outlet Store.

Adjustable strap will fit on both film or digital camera bodies.

How To Enter: Leave a comment on your favorite KEH Camera blog post from 2013 between now and Wednesday, March 27th. Be sure to leave your name on the comment (the same name as you enter into the giveaway widget below). Then, fill out the Rafflecopter Giveaway Widget box and check off that you left a comment. All entries will be verified.

For extra entries, you can "like" KEH Camera on Facebook, follow KEH Camera on Twitter (be sure to enter your Twitter name in the box below), and/or Tweet about the giveaway (you can do this once a day and must paste the Tweet URL into the box below).

How to leave a blog comment: If you are unfamiliar with the Blogger commenting system, here are the steps to take to ensure that you comment correctly... Go to the bottom of the post you wish to leave a comment on and enter your comment into the "Post a Comment" box. Then, below that box, select who to comment as. If you have one of the listed blogging accounts, choose that. If not, you can choose the option "Name/URL". Enter your name, and if you have a website then you can enter the URL for it if you wish. Do NOT choose to comment as "Anonymous", or your comment will not be counted as an entry.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Details and Terms: Giveaway runs Monday, March 18th through Wednesday, March 27th at Midnight EST. The winner will be randomly selected, announced, and contacted within 48 hours after the close of the giveaway and will have 10 days to claim their prize. In order to win, a correct email address must be provided (but the email address will not be shared). All entries will be verified, so please use the same name on the giveaway widget as when you leave a blog comment to qualify. If entries cannot be verified, they will be deleted (IE if you "enter" for leaving a blog comment and there is no comment, it will not count as an entry). No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase a contestants chance of winning. Contestants must be at least 18 years of age to enter. Proof of age may be required from the winners. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. KEH Camera will not verify receipt of entries. Incomplete entries are void. KEH Camera is not responsible for entries that are lost, late, misdirected, incomplete, incomprehensible, undeliverable or delayed. We reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event that the original promised prize becomes unavailable. Prize pack is valued at $93. KEH Camera is not responsible for damage to giveaway items during shipping. The odds of winning will depend on the number of entries. Unless otherwise noted, all contests and giveaway prizes are awarded via random drawing. KEH employees and families are not eligible to win. Gift certificate must be used via KEH phone sales. Winners automatically grant the use of their name and likeness in the promotion of this and other KEH Camera contests. KEH Camera will not sell or distribute entrants personal information such as email and mailing addresses.