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.

* 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.