Marty Kenny
> In many of the postings I see reference to equipment evaluation criteria
> and rating scales. Where can I find a book or site giving more
> information on criteria and the ratings?
Other than the listing of Shutterbug ratings before their classifieds,
I dunno, but I think the very best rating is an accurate, specific
description with each piece of gear... (This avoids absurdities,
like "SB Excellent Plus [SB EX+] -- 90 to 99% original finish."
Which means, I suppose, that up to 10% of the finish could be
completely missing [if the rest were "Mint"...], and still rate an
EX+ rating...;-) And, BTW, terms like "Mint+" and "Like New +"
are totally meaningless - "M" means as new, but the box and/or
instructions may be missing; "LN" means same as new
(unused, with all original factory packing and papers). Also
BTW, anything labeled "M" or "LN" which is anything other than
sparkling clean is mislabeled, since you cannot tell the finish
and glass condition unless it is clean. For conditions other
than "M" or "LN", which have very specific (though often
misused...) meanings, the rating system breaks down (EX
means what? To me it may mean absolutely perfect glass
and mechanics, with some evidence of handling/use wear
on the exterior - but to someone else it may mean that the
glass is serviceable, though not mint, the mechanics show
wear, and the finish is a mess, but who cares about that...?)
If someone tells me that the glass is perfect except for a few
dust specks inside and one spot in "X" location of "Y" size
and "Z" nature; that the mechanics are fine, except for a
slight looseness in "A"; and that the finish no longer has that
fresh, new look, but is without scratches or mars except for
three edge rubs at locations "B", "C", and "D", and one
scratch of "E" dimensions at "F" location, I have enough
useful information about the item's condition to make a
judgement about purchase. Also, it may often be better to
rate the item conservatively and have the purchaser
pleasantly surprised, than the other way around...
(And I have received items purchased through SB
classifieds [this has been less of a problem on r.p.m]
that were described as near mint or better, only to find them
in poor condition - which prompts me sometimes to want to
ask the person on the other end of the 'phone line while trying
to get a description of an item, "When you say that you see
'no marks', are your eyes open? Lights on? Glasses, if needed,
on? Does 'EX' condition mean that the lens was dropped onto
the road, and that it rolled down the hill, but it was not actually
run over by the truck?" ;-) In other words, the condition
ratings of "M", "LN", and "10" have specific meanings that
*should* be universally recognized, but other ratings really
don't have a lot of value...
Hope This Helps
David Ruether - http://www.fcinet.com/ruether