Many customers have asked exactly what my rating system is based on, so I’ve added this page to my store to try to quantify it.  I used the rating system used by Shutterbug Magazine as a departure point, with a little Adorama and KEH thrown in to help the mix.  Since corrosion is a fact of life on used underwater equipment, particularly that used in salt water, where it isn't on most above-water cameras, I don’t let any corrosion immediately drive a piece of equipment to "bargain" or “ugly” but rather I assess the impact it has and comment on it in the listing.

Here is my equipment rating scale:

NEW:  New as shipped by the manufacturer or distributor with all original packing and instruction manuals.  In most cases this designation is used where the equipment has not been used underwater at all, and shows no wear.  The equipment will not have any sort of manufacturer’s warranty, except in the case of the SB-105 strobes I get from Nikon.  Original boxes will most likely show wear, which may be significant for older equipment.

MINT:  100% of original finish.  Just like factory new, but may not include original packing material or instruction booklets or data sheets.

MINT-:  This is as high as most items I sell will be rated.  The item may have some very slight flaws from very light usage, but will appear as-new without close inspection.  For example, there may be some very light scratches or rub marks that do not go through the paint to metal from being handled, or there may be a slight bit of wear on a lens mount from being installed on a camera a few times.  The glass will be clean and will not have any water spots, cleaning marks or scratches.  The equipment will look nearly new.  Mechanically, electronically and optically there will be no flaws I have observed.  All flaws I have noted will be included in the item description!

EX+:  98-100% of original finish.  Used very little, but obviously used.  No major marring of the finish.  Very minor corrosion may be present on exposed metal surfaces, i.e. around the tripod socket on cameras, but it will not be corrosion that has worked its way under the paint or caused any pitting of the metal surface.  The glass will be clean and will not have any water spots, cleaning marks or scratches.  Mechanically, electronically and optically there will be no flaws I have observed.  All flaws I have noted will be included in the item description!

EX:  96-97% of original finish.  May have finish flaws which detract from appearance, i.e. wear or nicks to front edge of lens or on back or bottom of camera, but will still be optically and mechanically in great condition.  All flaws I have noted will be included in the item description!

EX-:  94-95% of original finish.  May have a few more finish flaws than EX grade but will still be optically and mechanically and electronically in great condition.  May be a few small dust particles inside lens that will not affect sharpness or cause any visible flaws in photographs.  All flaws I have noted will be included in the item description!

BGN+:  90-93% of original finish.  May have relatively large flaws in finish that are a bit worse than EX- grade equipment.  The flaws do not affect function.  The lens optics may have slight water spotting or slight flaws on the multicoating that will not affect photography.  Mechanically and electronically there will be no flaws I have observed.  May be a few small dust particles inside lens that will not affect sharpness or cause any visible flaws in photographs.  All flaws I have noted will be included in the item description!

BGN:  85-89% of original finish.  May have relatively large flaws in finish that are a bit worse than BGN+ grade equipment.  The flaws do not affect function.  The lens optics may have slightly more water spotting or slight flaws on the multicoating than BGN+ grade.  These flaws will not affect photography underwater.  Mechanically and electronically in great condition.  May be a few small dust particles inside lens that will not affect sharpness or cause any visible flaws in photographs.  All flaws I have noted will be included in the item description!

BGN-:  80-85% of original finish.  May have relatively large flaws in finish that are a bit worse than BGN grade equipment.  The flaws do not affect function.  The lens optics may have slightly more water spotting or slight flaws on the multicoating than BGN grade, or perhaps a few small scratches. These flaws will not affect photography underwater, but may produce highlights if used above water (when applicable).  There may be more pronounced issues like dings in the front edge of the lens barrel, but you will still be able to mount a filter.  Mechanically and electronically in great condition.  May be a few small dust particles inside lens that will not affect sharpness or cause any visible flaws in photographs.  All flaws I have noted will be included in the item description!

UGLY:  Worse than BGN-.  Usually has significant wear to paint or anodized surfaces.  May have significant flaws including fungus on some elements, scratches on glass, dings on front lens edge which prevent mounting of a filter, and so on.  May have larger dust particles inside optics.  Having said all that, most likely will still produce acceptable images with no visible degradation of the image detectable!  All flaws I have noted will be included in the item description.

By way of comparison, here's the original Shutterbug scale. THIS IS NOT THE SCALE I USE—PLEASE SEE RATINGS ABOVE FOR EQUIPMENT I SELL!!

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 eligible 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.