Professional Photography Magazine - Interview
How long have you been in business and how did you first get into film camera repairs?
I have been in the analogue camera repair business for over ten years. I first got into film camera repairs when I was volunteering in charity shops. I was shocked at the amount of kit being thrown away and therefore I wanted to find a way to save these parts of history. From then, I spent the following years reverse engineering cameras to understand how they worked. Once this clicked, I began repairing at a local camera shop before moving onto the London circuit. It was here that I gained specialist knowledge and had the opportunity to develop my skills, working on higher end cameras such as Hasselblad and Leica. I then decided to go freelance – launching my own company. With initial support from Film’s Not Dead, I gained recognition and was able to become more embedded in the analogue film community.
Photography credit : Caitlin Kiely
What would you say are the most common repairs you come across?
I first got my name in the industry by repairing compact film cameras. By addressing their common faults such as; lens extension issues, power issues, flash burn and wind on issues commonly found with Yashica T4, Contax T2 and Contax T3 cameras and others. Since broadening the range of cameras I repair now repairing compact film cameras, SLRs, medium format all the way up to large format (16x20 table top camera to date) , the most common faults I come across are shutter faults, power issues and degraded light seals which are caused by a general lack of servicing.
How do you cope in terms of spare parts, which one assumes aren’t regularly available? I can see that you can sometimes create these on a 3D printer?
Instead of relying on one source for spare parts, I have a range of ways which help me keep film cameras alive. By saving cameras and receiving donated parts, I’m able to build up a stock of components that need replacing. For electrical cameras, I’m able to source modern electrical components which have a longer life span and offer greater resilience. We have also developed the capacity to 3D model spare parts which can be manufactured using a wide range of processes such as : 3D printing, CNC, SLA and injection moulding. To support the analogue community with greater access to spare parts, we now provide a 3D printing service whereby files can be sent directly for print or alternatively designed for bespoke components.
Photography credit : Caitlin Kiely
I see you also offer a repaint service?
Yes, alongside my repairs I am now offering a repaints service which involves taking the camera apart, preparing its surface before repainting each component. I use a lightweight durable coating which is also effective in highlighting finer details on dials for example. Each repaint is completed with a final polishing which enhances the finish of the camera. We have recently completed a repaint service for eight Contax G2 cameras, as part of a collaboration between Kith and New Balance. The bespoke repaints service we offer can therefore be adapted to meet exacting specifications.
Are you also looking for used film kit to purchase?
Yes, we buy broken and in working order kit which we refurbish and give a new lease of life to, for cameras which can then be purchased through our online shop. Parts which are broken or now redundant, I use to keep other cameras alive through my repairs or develop new products such as our lens conversions giving them a second chance.