Grading & Inspection
Every camera and lens we sell is inspected and tested by hand in Japan, one at a time, before it is listed. This page explains the grade you see on each product page and what our inspection covers, so you know exactly what you are buying.
Our six grades
The grade describes the cosmetic condition. Function and optics are reported separately on every product page (see below), so a "Near MINT" body still has every function tested.
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| NEW | New, unused, in original packaging where stated. |
| TOP MINT | Pre-owned but shows no signs of use at all. Indistinguishable from new on close inspection. |
| MINT | Almost no signs of use. At most a faint mark that you have to look for. |
| Near MINT | Minimal signs of use. Small scratches or light wear that do not affect the feel of the camera. Still very clean. This is the most common grade in our shop. |
| Excellent | Clear signs of use: scratches, paint loss or wear consistent with age. Fully working unless stated otherwise. |
| As Is | Sold for parts or repair, or with a known fault described on the product page. No function is guaranteed beyond what is written there. |
We do not use vague words like "good condition". If a defect exists, it is written in the Remarks on the product page and shown in the photos.
What we inspect
Optical condition (lenses and camera lenses)
Each lens is checked with a bright light from the front and the rear, and we report each item as None / Slight / Moderate / Heavy:
- Dust – internal dust particles. A few tiny specks are normal for vintage glass and do not affect images.
- Fungus – we report even slight traces. Slight fungus on a compact camera rarely affects photos, but we tell you where it is.
- Haze – fine clouding on internal surfaces. Moderate or heavy haze lowers contrast; we grade it honestly.
- Cleaning marks / scratches – fine marks on the coating.
Functional condition (cameras)
We load batteries, fire the camera and check every function that the model has. Each is reported as Works properly or Not working:
- Shutter (at several speeds where selectable)
- Flash (charge and fire)
- Auto focus (where fitted)
- Auto exposure / light meter
- Film winding and film rewinding (checked with a test roll)
- Self-timer
- Film counter
- LCD / display (date backs and digital models)
Light seals are inspected and replaced when they have deteriorated. Battery compartments are checked for corrosion. Any fault we find is written in the Remarks on the product page.
Appearance
Photographed under the same lighting from all sides. The serial number of the body is printed on the product page, so you can see exactly which camera you are buying.
What is included
Only what is shown in the photos. Caps, straps, cases and boxes are included only when they appear in the pictures or are listed under Including.
Our promise
- 30-day functional warranty. If the camera does not work properly within 30 days of delivery, or is materially different from its description, contact us and we will arrange a return and full refund. Changed your mind? You can also return any item within 14 days of delivery. See our Return, Refund & Warranty Policy.
- Shipped from Japan with tracking within 3 business days, by FedEx or DHL Express. Orders to the United States and Canada are shipped Delivered Duty Paid, so there is nothing more to pay on arrival. See our Shipping Policy.
- Questions before you buy? Ask us anything about a specific item at support@zencamerastudio.com. We will check the actual camera and reply.
A note on vintage film cameras
Most of the cameras we sell are 30 to 50 years old. "Works properly" means the camera works as it did when new, based on our test; it is not a guarantee that a decades-old electronic camera will never fail. We test carefully so that surprises are rare, and we stand behind our descriptions.