— Condition Grading Guide
Know exactly what you’re buying.
Every item listed by FullFrameGear is physically inspected and graded before it goes live. The grade tells you how the equipment looks. A separate disclosure tells you how it functions. No ambiguity. No surprises. This is our condition grading guide.
5
Condition tiers
2
Verification axes
100%
Pre-listed inspection
Kochi
Kerala, India
How grading works
Two questions. One honest answer.
Most used equipment listings answer only one question — does it work? We answer both. Our condition grading guide answers what it looks like AND how it functions. Because a DOP needs to know what they’re putting in frame, and a filmmaker building their first kit deserves the same clarity.
Axis 1: Cosmetic condition
The grade (Mint, Excellent, Good, Working, As-Is) in our condition grading guide describes only how the equipment looks — scratches, paint wear, grip condition, marks, and physical damage. It says nothing about how the equipment performs.
Axis 2: Functional verification
Every item above As-Is has been bench-tested by our team before listing. Our condition grading guide requires any known quirk, limitation, or non-critical issue to be disclosed explicitly in the listing — not buried inside the grade label.
What this means for you: A Good-grade camera with perfectly working everything is exactly that. Our condition grading guide does not mask a sticky button inside “Fair” or hide a firmware glitch inside “Used.” The grade is purely visual. The notes are purely functional. Together they give you the complete picture.
The five tiers
Condition Grading Guide: Pick Your Grade, Know Your Price
Each tier in our condition grading guide reflects a clear, consistent cosmetic standard applied by the same eyes across every category — from a ₹9.5 lakh cinema body to a ₹5,000 filter. Discounts shown are typical ranges off original retail pricing.
Mint
Mint — Indistinguishable from new
10–20% off
original retail
Cosmetic — what you’ll see
- No scratches, scuffs, or marks visible under direct inspection
- Paint, coatings, and engravings pristine
- Rubber grips tight and clean, no compression
- LCD, EVF, and glass surfaces without marks
- Mounts clean with no anodizing wear
Functional — what we verified
- All functions bench-tested and confirmed
- Under 5% of rated lifetime use — hours or shutter count published per listing
- Accessories complete and unmarked
- Original packaging typically included
Excellent
Excellent — Light handling marks only
Most common tier
20–35% off
original retail
Cosmetic — what you’ll see
- Minor handling marks visible only under close inspection or direct light
- No dents, deep scratches, or paint chips
- Engravings and markings clear and legible
- Grips in very good shape, no tears or compression
- Mounts and contact surfaces clean
Functional — what we verified
- All functions bench-tested and confirmed
- Under 20% of rated lifetime use
- Any minor cosmetic quirk noted explicitly in listing
- Accessories in very good condition
Good
Good — Professional use visible. Works perfectly.
Best value tier
35–55% off
original retail
Cosmetic — what you’ll see
- Normal wear from regular professional use — scuffs, edge brassing, light paint thinning
- Possible small marks not affecting surfaces critical to image quality
- Rubber grips may show wear but remain functional
- No dents, cracks, or structural damage
- Filters: no coating damage in the central image circle
Functional — what we verified
- All primary functions tested and working
- All disclosed quirks are cosmetic only unless specifically stated otherwise
- Moderate use within normal lifetime expectancy
- Accessories included may show matching wear
Working
Working — Heavily worn. Still fully functional.
55–70% off
original retail
Cosmetic — what you’ll see
- Significant cosmetic wear — heavy brassing, paint loss, deeper scratches
- Grips may be worn, compressed, or partially replaced
- Mount wear or anodizing loss on contact surfaces
- Structurally sound — no cracks or damaged housings
Functional — what we verified
- All primary functions tested and confirmed working
- Higher sensor hours or shutter count — noted explicitly in listing
- Any non-critical quirks disclosed in writing in the listing
- Not recommended if cosmetic appearance matters to you or your clients
As-Is
As-Is — Parts, project, or repair. No functional claim made.
70%+ off
original retail
Cosmetic — what you’ll see
- Heavily worn or physically damaged — described and photographed in full
- Condition documented with exhaustive photos before sale
- No cosmetic minimum — buyer sees everything
Functional — what we disclose
- Not bench-tested for full functionality
- All known faults listed explicitly in the listing
- Sold for parts, servicing, or repair projects
- No returns, no exchanges — see our returns policy
What we check
Our Condition Grading Guide Differs by Category
A filter with a central coating scratch is a different problem from a camera body with paint loss on a corner. Our condition grading guide is calibrated differently for each category. Here is what our inspection actually covers for the major product types.
Camera bodies
FX9, A7S III, A7 III
- Sensor hours (cinema cameras) or shutter count (mirrorless) — published per listing
- Sensor inspected for hot pixels, dust, and surface scratches
- All ports tested: HDMI, SDI, USB-C, XLR, multi-interface shoe
- LCD and EVF checked for dead pixels, delamination, surface scratches
- All physical controls: buttons, dials, ND wheel tested for response
- Lens mount: tab integrity, flange depth, anodizing condition
- Battery contacts and door checked for corrosion or looseness
Cannot grade above Excellent if any port is intermittent
Cinema & photo lenses
XEEN CF, Sony GM, Zeiss Batis
- Glass: front and rear elements inspected with torch — scratches, coating wear, dust, haze, fungus, and balsam separation
- Focus, iris, and zoom rings rotated through full range — smoothness, hard stops, calibration to marks
- Iris blades inspected for oil and clean operation
- PL mount: flange flatness, steel insert condition, anodizing around housing
- E-mount: tab wear and shim integrity
Any detectable focus ring backlash = minimum Good grade
Filters & diopters
Schneider, Lindsey Optics, Vaxis
- Glass inspected at 45° under direct light for scratches, coating scuffs, water-spot etching, pitting
- Multi-coat condition checked for blotching, oiliness, or delamination
- Frame corners checked for bends that prevent flush seating in matte box trays
- Threaded filters tested for clean threading without binding
- IRND and graduated filters: colour cast checked under tungsten and daylight
Coating damage in central 70% of frame = maximum Good grade
Audio equipment
Zoom, Sony UWP-D, Sennheiser MKH
- Every XLR input tested for clean signal — no crackle on cable wiggle, phantom power verified
- Headphone outputs, screen pixels, and encoder smoothness on recorders and mixers
- Microphone capsule inspected for debris and diaphragm condition; test recording included per listing
- Wireless systems: RF performance verified, antenna integrity checked, body-pack door and clip intact
- Timecode boxes: crystal accuracy verified
Test recording conditions stated per microphone listing
Lighting
Aputure, Amaran, Kupo C-stands
- LED panels checked for dead or dim diodes; output consistency across the panel
- Dimming tested from 100% to 0% for flicker
- Fan noise noted if above normal spec
- DMX and wireless control responsiveness tested
- C-stands: knuckle tightness, riser action, weld integrity, base wheel condition
- Softboxes and modifiers: inner-fabric staining, frame straightness, hardware completeness
LED with colour shift outside spec = maximum Good grade
Support & accessories
Cartoni, DJI RS3, Tilta, SmallRig
- Tripods: leg lock integrity under load, fluid head drag at every setting, bowl and spreader condition
- Gimbals: motor integrity (no clicks or stalls at full pan/tilt), axis calibration, battery runtime noted
- Cages and rigs: every 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 thread tested, ARRI rosette flatness, NATO rail tolerance
- Sliders: bearing smoothness end-to-end, belt or cable wear
Stripped thread or broken lock = As-Is regardless of cosmetics
Our process
Every item inspected before it’s listed.
We do not list anything we haven’t seen and tested ourselves. This condition grading guide is not a marketplace standard — it is a curated, hands-on verification process.
01
Physical receipt
Item arrives at our location. Before applying our condition grading guide, we photograph it immediately — before any cleaning or assessment — to document its exact state on arrival.
02
Cosmetic grading
Under consistent lighting, we assess all surfaces, mounts, glass, and wear points against our condition grading guide criteria for the specific category.
03
Functional testing
Category-specific bench tests as per our condition grading guide. Use metrics recorded. Any quirks documented in writing. Test recordings made where applicable.
04
Listing published
Grade assigned per our condition grading guide. Functional disclosures written. Photos uploaded. Item goes live on our website only after this step is complete.
We never list gear we haven’t physically inspected. Our condition grading guide applies to everything — if a seller approaches us with equipment, it comes to us first. It does not go straight to listing from photos alone.
After you buy
Sony authorised service — Kerala & India
FullFrameGear does not provide in-house warranty or repair. We are a seller with a condition grading guide, not a service centre. What we do: connect you to the right authorised service partner for your brand.
Official Sony India — Professional Cinema
Sony India Pvt. Ltd.
National Authorised Service Centre for Sony Professional Cameras
Address: A-18, Mohan Cooperative Industrial Estate, Mathura Road, New Delhi – 110044
Phone: +91 (11) 6600 6600
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sony Authorised — Kerala
Madonna Sales & Service
Trivandrum region — Sony Authorised Service Centre
Phone: 98957 11832
Coverage: Trivandrum, Kollam, Varkala
Hours: Mon–Sat, 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
Important note on cinema camera servicing: The Madonna network is authorised for Sony consumer products. For professional cinema cameras (FX9, A7S III), the primary authorised service route in India is Sony India’s national service centre in New Delhi. Before purchasing a cinema body, we recommend confirming your service requirements directly with Sony India at +91 (11) 6600 6600. We are happy to assist you with this conversation.
Common questions
Answered honestly.
What’s the real difference between Good and Working?
Good in this condition grading guide means normal professional wear — scuffs, edge paint thinning, minor marks — but nothing that would catch your eye in a daylit shot or affect image quality. The gear works.
The grade says Excellent. Does that mean it comes with any guarantee?
The grade in our condition grading guide tells you the cosmetic condition. The functional verification tells you it was working correctly when we tested it.
Can I test the equipment before paying?
Yes — this is why we operate pickup-first for camera bodies, lens kits, and items above ₹50,000. Our condition grading guide is a written record, but when you book a viewing, you are welcome to test the equipment with your own cards, batteries, and accessories. Bring whatever you need to satisfy yourself. We will have the item powered on and ready. We do not accept returns after payment, so please use the visit to test thoroughly.
What does “sensor hours” mean, and why does it matter?
Cinema cameras like the Sony FX9 record to a sensor continuously — unlike a DSLR that counts individual shutter actuations. Sensor hours is the cumulative runtime of the imaging sensor. Our condition grading guide uses sensor hours as a key disclosure metric. A camera with 200 hours has been used very lightly; one with 3,000 hours has had significant professional use. We publish sensor hours per listing so you can factor it into your decision exactly the way you would mileage on a vehicle.
I’m looking at a cinema lens listed as Good. Will the glass be clean?
Good-grade cinema lenses in our condition grading guide will have clean glass in the sense that any dust or marks are outside the central image circle and have no visible impact on image quality. If there is any mark within the image-forming area, the lens cannot be listed above Good and the specific location is disclosed in the listing notes. We always note internal dust, haze, and coating wear with explicit descriptions.
What is As-Is and should I buy it?
As-Is in our condition grading guide means we are selling the item without a functional claim — we either know it has a fault, or we couldn’t verify full functionality. The condition is documented with exhaustive photos and written disclosure of every known issue. As-Is gear suits technicians, repair specialists, rental houses that service their own equipment, or buyers who want a cheap source of parts. It is not for someone who needs the equipment to work tomorrow. There are no returns on As-Is purchases.
Can I request additional photos of a listing before I visit?
Yes. Our condition grading guide is backed by photographs for every item before listing — using a standard shot list including full body, close-up wear points, mount condition, glass elements, and any disclosed damage.
Can I get the full inspection notes for an item I’m considering?
Yes. Every listing has a grade per our condition grading guide and functional verification notes. If you want the full inspection documentation for an item you are considering, message us directly with the listing link.