Crasis
Well-known
Consider this the uncyclopedia of buying camera goods. Feel free to add your own interpretations or suggest changes to the current ones and I'll edit them if I find them more amusing. Note: If they fit with the current phrases, use a current phrase with your definition.
Also, feel free to discuss, vent and generally break down crying.
General/Camera specific:
New in a box - Your only hope is that the previous user turned the box every month to move around the lubrication.
Mint - It's been tried out, possibly with a roll of film, so at least you know it worked at one time.
Mint minus - Minus your money, into their mint.
Excellent plus - Better than excellent, for the seller, since you'll pay more.
Excellent - Average. The most sensible choice which you will obviously ignore for something worse.
In great shape - Well, I suppose it IS a shape... and it is great... if it were modern art... (comp_wiz101)
Poor - See user. The dents add character and act as water caches for the rainy season.
Just CLA'd - Imagine a plumber using a hammer instead of a wrench; using a knife instead of a toothpick. That's what most repair people will do to your camera.
User - Used, very likely abused, and very likely repaired by someone inept.
- used by someone who had hammers instead of hands (Toby)
Small dents - Clutzy is trying to sell you their mistake.
Shutter speeds sound right - They make a sound. It's supposed to do that, right?
Fully functional with signs of wear - Will fall apart after the 7 day return period.
Camera worked well the last time I used it - It is not working now. (ray_g)
No battery to check meter - meter is dead. (ray_g)
I am not knowledgeable about cameras - don't complain to me when you get the item. (ray_g)
Sold As-is - you deserve what you will get if you buy this. (ray_g)
- Don't trust me. I don't trust myself.
Spares or Repair - there may be one part you can salvage, possibly a logo. (markinlondon)
Lens specific:
Cleaning marks - A small pebble, moved around the lens with a cleaning cloth. No, they're not scratches!
Haze - Too many people reproducing in the lens. Do you really want to touch that?
Fungus - The kind that grows in apartments can kill people. This lens wants its life back.
Scratches - Oops! That was the edge of the table, wasn't it?
Focusing is stiff - Most likely dropped, and dropped hard.
- Has been stored in a damp cellar (markinlondon)
Does not show up in pictures - Warning: May cause flare, fogging, loss of resolution, loss of contrast, and Herpes type II.
Also, feel free to discuss, vent and generally break down crying.
General/Camera specific:
New in a box - Your only hope is that the previous user turned the box every month to move around the lubrication.
Mint - It's been tried out, possibly with a roll of film, so at least you know it worked at one time.
Mint minus - Minus your money, into their mint.
Excellent plus - Better than excellent, for the seller, since you'll pay more.
Excellent - Average. The most sensible choice which you will obviously ignore for something worse.
In great shape - Well, I suppose it IS a shape... and it is great... if it were modern art... (comp_wiz101)
Poor - See user. The dents add character and act as water caches for the rainy season.
Just CLA'd - Imagine a plumber using a hammer instead of a wrench; using a knife instead of a toothpick. That's what most repair people will do to your camera.
User - Used, very likely abused, and very likely repaired by someone inept.
- used by someone who had hammers instead of hands (Toby)
Small dents - Clutzy is trying to sell you their mistake.
Shutter speeds sound right - They make a sound. It's supposed to do that, right?
Fully functional with signs of wear - Will fall apart after the 7 day return period.
Camera worked well the last time I used it - It is not working now. (ray_g)
No battery to check meter - meter is dead. (ray_g)
I am not knowledgeable about cameras - don't complain to me when you get the item. (ray_g)
Sold As-is - you deserve what you will get if you buy this. (ray_g)
- Don't trust me. I don't trust myself.
Spares or Repair - there may be one part you can salvage, possibly a logo. (markinlondon)
Lens specific:
Cleaning marks - A small pebble, moved around the lens with a cleaning cloth. No, they're not scratches!
Haze - Too many people reproducing in the lens. Do you really want to touch that?
Fungus - The kind that grows in apartments can kill people. This lens wants its life back.
Scratches - Oops! That was the edge of the table, wasn't it?
Focusing is stiff - Most likely dropped, and dropped hard.
- Has been stored in a damp cellar (markinlondon)
Does not show up in pictures - Warning: May cause flare, fogging, loss of resolution, loss of contrast, and Herpes type II.
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