Shutterbug Used Equipment
Ratings
These ratings are taken directly from Shutterbug
Magazine's classified advertisement section. Shutterbug ratings are widely
recognized and provide a relative measure of trust for both buyer and seller.
Each grade of equipment is well defined so you have a good idea what condition
the item should be in. The ratings are, from worst to best, UGLY, FAIR,
GOOD, EX-, EX, EX+, MINT, NEW. In advertising, some people precede the
rating with a "SB" to denote the fact that they are using the Shutterbug
rating system. I strongly recommend buying an issue of Shutterbug - the
large number of dealer advertisements makes the magazine a great price
quide to new and used equipment. Personally, I buy a copy every six
months or so both for the articles and to keep tabs on current used prices.
-
New : Never sold to a
customer and never used. New as shipped by the manufacturer or distributor
with all original packing and instruction manuals. Merchandise sold as
"NEW" must be elidgible for full warranty service from the authorized importer/distributor
in the USA.
-
MINT : 100% original
finish. Just like factory new, but may not include original packing material
or instruction books.
-
EX+ : 90-99% of original
finish. Used very little, but obviously used. No major marring of the finish
or brassing. Optics perfect. Mechanics perfect.
-
EX : 80-89% of original
finish. May have a finish flaw or two which detract from appearance, but
must be optically and mechanically perfect.
-
EX- : 70-79% of original
finish. May have relatively large flaws in finish which do not affect functional.
Must be optically and mechanically perfect.
-
GOOD : 60-69% of original
finish. Must be complete, but may be scratched or scuffed. Metal may show
wear but should have no corrosion, rust or pits. Must be optically and
mechanically perfect.
-
FAIR : 50-59% of original
finish. May or may not be perfectly functional, but all functional defects
must be clearly stated in the ad. Would not be attractive to the eye.
-
UGLY : 50% or less original
finish. Well used and worn. May have missing parts or may not be fully
functional. All defects must be clearly stated in ad.
NOTE: Shutterbug Standards and descriptions are copyrighted by Shutterbug
Magazine.
Return to
Used Camera Ratings Return
to Buyer's guide
Medium Format
Cameras - User's Guide to Buying and Shooting
by Peter Williams is
now available from
Amherst
Media!! [1/2001]