ZEISS Names KEH Exclusive Authorized Repair Partner for Photography Equipment in North America

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 2, 2026--

KEH Camera, the North American leader in buying, selling and trading pre-owned camera gear since 1979, and the ZEISS Group, a pre-eminent manufacturer of photo and video lenses worldwide, today announced an exclusive partnership with ZEISS naming KEH the exclusive authorized repair and service center for ZEISS photography lenses and equipment throughout the United States and Canada.

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Under the partnership, KEH will handle both in-warranty and out-of-warranty repairs for ZEISS photography customers across North America, covering equipment that spans from decades-old legacy lenses to the newest professional optics. Rather than navigating unknown and uncertified service options, ZEISS customers in North America now have one trusted, factory-backed destination for repair.

As the exclusive authorized repair partner, KEH technicians receive comprehensive training directly from ZEISS and perform repairs using genuine manufacturer parts, ZEISS-approved calibration tools and procedures. Every repair is designed to meet ZEISS engineering standards, so customers receive service that reflects the same quality as the products themselves.

"Premium camera equipment is built to perform for decades, and repair is core to photographers getting the most out of their tools," said Glenn Kaufman, chairman and CEO of KEH Camera. "We are honored that ZEISS recognized the quality and scope of our repair capabilities and asked us to serve in this exclusive capacity. And, we are excited to extend our best-in-class standard of care to all the owners of ZEISS lenses, some of the finest optics in the industry. It's also a natural extension of what KEH has always stood for: keeping great gear in circulation and out of landfills."

KEH repair capabilities extend across the range of camera and lens brands. And it is the only reseller with manufacturer-approved repair facilities in the camera industry, a portfolio that now includes ZEISS alongside existing authorized-repair partnerships with Sony and Sigma. Repairs are performed by factory-certified technicians with hundreds of years of combined experience, using specialized diagnostic equipment and manufacturer training.

“Because treasured optics require specialized care, we are pleased to partner with KEH Camera who has set the bar for lens repair,” said Tony Wisniewski, senior manager responsible for ZEISS Photography Americas. “We strive to partner with organizations that provide excellent customer support for our products the world over. Be they new or legacy ZEISS cameras and lenses, we are confident that KEH Camera has the skills necessary to provide value to our loyal optics owners, and we look forward to a long partnership.”

For ZEISS, the partnership extends the company's North American after-sales service organization through KEH's existing repair infrastructure.

Customers with eligible ZEISS photography equipment will be directed to KEH for factory-authorized service. More information on the partnership is available at https://www.zeiss.com/photonics-and-optics/us/photography/service.html. More information on KEH authorized repair capabilities is available at https://www.keh.com/shop/repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will the repair process work?

Eligible North American customers can initiate repairs through the dedicated ZEISS repair portal. KEH will receive the request and coordinate shipment with the customer to KEH’s repair facility. From there, KEH will perform the factory-authorized repair using genuine ZEISS parts and ZEISS-approved calibration tools, and return the equipment directly to the customer.

Is the repair process online or in person?

Repairs are initiated online at www.zeiss.com/photonics-and-optics/us/photography/service.html, but customers can also bring eligible equipment to KEH's retail location in Atlanta, Georgia, as an in-person option.

What ZEISS products does the partnership cover?

The partnership covers all ZEISS photography lenses and equipment, from decades ago to those manufactured recently and going forward.

Why was KEH selected as ZEISS's exclusive repair partner?

KEH combines decades of professional camera repair expertise with one of North America's largest technical service organizations dedicated to imaging equipment. KEH's technicians have serviced ZEISS optics across generations, from postwar ZEISS Jena lenses and the 1960s Contarex system to large-format ZEISS lenses built for Linhof and Graflex cameras to the newest professional optics such as the Batis and Otus ML lines. That range, combined with KEH's leadership in the circular camera economy and its existing relationships with other manufacturers, made it a natural fit to handle service for ZEISS customers.

About KEH Camera

Founded in 1979, KEH Camera is the North American leader in buying, selling and trading pre-owned photo and video equipment, with a core capability in inspecting and repairing products of all brands. KEH Certified™ product quality, decades-long expertise and assurance on all gear sold have made it the most trusted place to buy and sell pre-owned gear. And through its unmatched selection and commitment to quality and sustainability, KEH continues to empower creators worldwide to trade, upgrade and capture more, all while keeping great gear in circulation. For more information, visit www.keh.com.

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. For over 130 years, ZEISS has shaped the state of photography and mobile imaging with optical designs, construction principles, manufacturing processes, and the development of new application fields. With photo lenses for professional users as well as ambitious enthusiasts, and cinema lenses that are cherished by filmmakers globally, images and movies are created that shape our people’s perception of the world. Millions of consumers and professionals worldwide rely on ZEISS to enable their creativity thanks to intuitively usable, exceptional technology. ZEISS is based in Oberkochen, Germany, and is part of the strategic business unit Photonics & Optics.

ZEISS Names KEH Exclusive Authorized Repair Partner for Photography Equipment in North America

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Social Security Administration projected Wednesday that the annual cost-of-living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities will go up by 3.6% beginning in 2027, with some recipients complaining that is not enough to offset soaring prices.

The adjustment translates to $75 extra per month for the nearly 72 million people who receive monthly Social Security benefits and about 7.3 million beneficiaries who get Supplemental Security Income.

The announcement comes as inflation adds pressure on household budgets and businesses and as midterm elections are weeks away.

The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for retirees and disabled beneficiaries is financed by payroll taxes collected from workers and their employers, up to a certain annual salary. That is set to increase to $192,300 in 2027, from $184,500 in 2026.

The agency's commissioner, Frank Bisignano, said in a statement that the adjustment will give recipients “greater financial stability.”

Some older adults feel the increase is a drop in the bucket as inflation has eaten away at monthly savings. The government reported Wednesday that inflation accelerated in September, with the consumer price index rising 3.7% in September compared with a year ago and gas prices have spiked in the wake of renewed fighting between the United States and Iran.

Nancy Altman, president of the Social Security Works advocacy group, said the latest inflation data shows that “as important as the Social Security COLA is, it is not keeping up with prices.”

Lorrie Ufkin, a 71-year-old retiree who lives outside Rochester, Minnesota, said the COLA will not put a dent in her healthcare costs, which are set to increase after the Trump administration concludes at year's end a temporary Medicare Part D subsidy program that has helped offset premiums. Ufkin said that her premiums and drug cost are expected to rise, although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has projected a modest increase for most people.

The COLA “doesn’t even meet what they’re going to do for changes to Medicare,” she told The Associated Press.

She said one of the medications both she and her husband take will go from $11 per month for each prescription, to $200 per month, after Republican administration changes made to older Americans' healthcare programs. She said that was “catastrophic.”

Senior advocacy groups say the COLA is a strong reminder of the financial straits of many older people.

“There’s a lot on the line financially right now for older Americans — one in five have no retirement savings, and more people feel financially insecure this year than last. That makes Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment critically important,” said AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan.

Jaime Jakubczak, a 68-year-old resident of Buffalo, New York who retired early at 55, has recently gone back to work to make ends meet, specifically to afford rising property taxes. He said the COLA is insufficient because it is offset by high inflation and a proposed 3.9% property tax increase in his town.

Jakubczak called the 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment “a pittance," given how high food, healthcare and gasoline prices have become across the country.

“We were getting ahead a little bit with the COLA based on inflation, but the inflation is so high that it doesn’t offset what our COLA allowance is," he said.

Most older adults believe the COLA isn’t adequately keeping up with inflation, according to an AARP poll from September. That poll found that about three-quarters of those 50 or older disagreed with the idea that a 3.5% COLA in 2027 would be enough to keep up with rising prices.

The Social Security Administration faces a looming bankruptcy date if a funding shortfall is not addressed by Congress.

The June 2026 Social Security and Medicare trustees’ report states that Social Security’s combined trust funds — which cover old age and disability recipients — will be unable to pay full benefits beginning in 2034. After that, incoming revenue would cover about 83% of scheduled benefits.

While a permanent solution for shoring up the benefits program has not been passed into law, lawmakers on the Hill have called for new measures to replenish the trust funds.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, in June proposed lifting the Social Security payroll tax cap, which is a maximum amount of earnings taxable. Treating all income the same "would generate substantial revenue that would extend the solvency of Social Security for another generation,” they wrote in The New York Times.

The move is controversial because Republicans have traditionally criticized calls to raise taxes on the wealthy.

The Peterson Foundation estimates that lifting the payroll tax cap would add roughly $3 trillion into the program over the next 10 years.

Both the Trump and Biden administrations signed into law new benefits for retirees, which boosted their finances, but simultaneously accelerated the insolvency of the old-age benefits program.

The Trump administration, as part of Republicans’ tax and spending bill, gave a temporary tax deduction for people 65 and over, which applies to all income — not just Social Security. But those who aren't able to claim the deduction include the lowest-income older adults who already don’t pay taxes on Social Security, those who choose to claim their benefits before they reach 65 and those above a defined income threshold.

Additionally, Democratic President Joe Biden in 2024 repealed two federal policies — the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset — that previously limited Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people, including largely former public workers.

FILE - The Social Security Administration office is seen in Mount Prospect, Ill., Oct. 12, 2022.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)