All equipment on this web site is sold in full working order. Minor technical flaws are always noted in the description. Items in average working and/or cosmetic condition (for whatever reason) are sold to collectors in the category called "Props". "Props" are items which during close inspection have failed to meet our standard of quality control. Each item is inspected prior listing on our website, and again before it’s shipped. The quality control includes all controls, shutters & meters, film drives etc. Here is a small chart on what is usually checked:

Naturally, there is no camera on the market that incorporates all the features listed here.

Cosmetics are graded separately. Such grading is primarly a subjective art, the condition of each item can vary enormously depending on who the vendor is or what kind of a mood that grader was in on that day. Here, a universal, numerical grading system is used. It’s hopefully more precisely than adjectival language, which has a little bit more elasticity and which can cover a broader horizon than plain numbers. Furthermore, it’s well known that a picture is worth a thousand words, so few of them are usually included in each item’s description.

Optics are described separately from cosmetics. All defects, which are difficult to detect on pictures like dust, fungus, lens surface blemishes or major cleaning marks are explicitly mentioned inside the description. If there is no such note, the lens is clean.

The technical condition grade chart looks very similar and is easy to understand. A 10/10 means all functions described above are in working order. A 9/10 means we´ve discovered a small flaw like a non-working power zoom. An 8/10 would mean two features are gone and so on. It´s self understood that each flaw is mentioned in the notes section. According to this chart we would rate a camera with a broken lightmeter as 9/10. Sounds quite confusing without further explanation...

All this might still not be enough for everyone to get the right picture of advertised item, so you are advised to ask any question either using the Ask Seller A Question link located in every description or through the Contact Us form.