Re: Probs of Accurate Grading

[Soon Wai Hoe <adisoon@pl.jaring.my>]

Has anyone out there have a hotshoe on their M6 that is slightly slanting
off in one direction. It is as if it was put on properly enough. My titanium
M6 has this problem which I noticed after a few days since I bought it new.
Also, what is the possibility of removing fungus from the rangefinder
window? Cost?

- --Adi

At 07:52 AM 18-02-97 -0800, you wrote:
>Users like to know what it is they are buying as well as "picky"
>collectors.  After many years purchasing through the mail from individuals
>and stores, it is more of a problem with dealers rather than the
>individual.  The average Joe usually pleasantly surprises me with condition
>of user pieces.  And I am not so picky when I know it will probably be
>beaten up in use.  In this category the cameras are not investments.  So I
>am a bit more flexible.
>
>The problem that I run into with dealers is that the SB grading system does
>not stop at SB VG, but some % of dealers approaching 99% do not grade below
>SB VG.  The system goes to SB UG.  Dealers especially do not grade that
>low..... including Mr. Chatterton. Although they "all" have equipment in
>that category for sale.
>
>But when I buy user pieces through dealers, the grading becomes more
>bizarre than plus signs.
>Exc+ has been defined to have a severely scratched front element ( I bought
>the lens then sent it back.  The explanation offered was that I should have
>known better because the price was too low for the lens in Exc+ to BE
>Exc+).  Or a camera/lens that shows its 30 year age which is working just
>fine.  You can not tell from the same dealer even.  They are inconsistent
>because they are human, with all the good and bad connotations.. 
>I have never seen a camera marked SB Lousy, but I have seen cameras that
>are in that condition and sold for up to SB Exc-.  ( If you actually read
>SB's list of grades, there is no SB VG!  The system goes from SB Exc- to SB
>Good.  That's amusing on its own, but not the point.)
>
>VG can mean a wreck with the shutter speeds ridiculously off; or a lens
>with haziness.  My M3 came through with 40% of its leather missing and a
>jammed shutter.  It was marked VG.  ( To be fair, it has cleaned up real
>nice, and I knew about the shutter and leather.  But VG as a grading was a
>bit questionable... I would say SB UG would have been more fair.  After
>repair it will be graded SB G.  It does have dents and is brassed.  )
>
>I would like to recommend that if we are going to use SB grading, that we
>use the entire range of grades.  For the sake of argument, use the system
>twice, once for mechanical/optical condition, and again for asthetic
>condition.
>
>I have bought cameras from all categories.  Sometimes things are Ok and
>sometimes things go back.  But I believe the SB grading system has real
>merit.  Let's encourage its full use.
>
>And insist on a return privlege.
>
>Frank
>
>
>
>