How the condition of a film camera
is actually graded.
Every piece in the collection is catalogued on the same scale (A+, A, B, C). It is the criterion I use to decide what stays, what gets restored and what is documented as a historical piece, and the same one shown on every camera put up for sale. It works just as well if you are grading a camera yourself.
The four grades
Practically flawless. No meaningful marks, mechanics and optics perfect. A display piece.
Minimal signs of use, everything fully working. Ready to shoot with no reservations.
Visible cosmetic marks but serviced, working mechanics. To shoot and collect at a fair price.
With a declared fault, mechanical or cosmetic. What fails is always stated. Price adjusted accordingly.
Every camera entering the collection is tested with a real roll of film whenever its mechanics allow it. If something fails, it goes on the listing: a rare piece with a declared fault is still a rare piece.
The five points that decide the grade
- Optics: fungus, haze, scratches and element separation. Checked against the light, not from the photo in the listing.
- Shutter: sticky slow speeds, pinholes in the curtains, leaf shutters seized by old grease.
- Bellows and seals: on folders and medium format, the bellows against the light; on 35 mm, the light seals turned to tar.
- Body: cracked or yellowed bakelite, pitted chrome, forced covers, screws that are not the originals.
- Originality: lens, cap and case correct for that model and year. A camera rebuilt from another one is worth far less.
Where the cameras in the collection are sold
OSCORP is a collection first. Most of what you see here is not for sale: it documents what each camera is, where it came from and what makes it rare.
When a piece does leave, it is published with its grade. The ones sold through this site are in the shop, carrying the same condition grade you see on this scale. Others go through Wallapop, with its buyer protection. Wallapop.