c/camera-repairers

Fixing a film advance lever reminded me of my brother's stubbornness.

A little oil and patience works for both.

That choice between keeping it original or making it work on an old camera

Tbh, back in the film days, a customer brought a classic SLR with a sticky advance lever. Honestly, I found a workaround that got it running but changed a small internal piece. Ngl, was it wrong to tweak the design just to save the repair?

Tried using a fridge magnet to find loose screws, saved my sanity

I started keeping a strong magnet on my bench to catch tiny screws before they vanish. Last week, it pulled a spring from inside a lens I was sure was lost forever. Now I won't work without it.

Classic SLR film advance jam, my fix and a question

My neighbor dropped off a film SLR with the film advance lever stuck. I took it apart and saw a bent metal tab blocking the gears, so I bent it back. Do you ever see bent parts like this, and what tools work best to fix them?

Pro tip: Sand in the gears from a beach job changed how I pack my kit

I was down in Florida helping a buddy with his old film shooter that got gritty after a day at the coast. The sand had worked its way into the advance lever and it was grinding bad. Had to take the whole side plate off right there on a picnic table, which was not ideal. All my tiny screwdrivers were in a roll, but I learned to wrap them in wax paper first after that. A soft brush and some isopropyl alcohol got most of it, but one spring was a pain. Now I keep a small airtight box just for when I'm working near sand or dirt. It sounds simple, but that one afternoon saved me from a bigger headache later. Makes you think about all the places our gear ends up needing fixes.

Just realized film camera repairs are on the rise again

I've been fixing cameras for years, and lately, more people are bringing in old film models. Just last week, I had three Contax T2 cameras in for light seal replacements. It's odd because digital is so common now, but there's a real interest in analog. I'm curious if others are noticing this trend or if it's just my area. Maybe it's the nostalgia or the unique look film gives. Whatever the reason, it's keeping my hands busy with these classic pieces. What do you all think?

From my bench: Seeing more manual camera fixes lately feels rewarding

I've noticed a trend where folks are bringing in more manual film cameras for cleanups and minor repairs. I mean, it's kinda neat because it breaks up the usual digital sensor dust jobs. Last week, I had a Nikon FE with a slow shutter curtain that wouldn't fire right. A careful clean with some lint-free cloth and a bit of patience got it ticking perfectly. The customer was thrilled, saying it was their first camera from high school. Idk, maybe it's just me, but these small victories make the repair work feel more meaningful. It's a good reminder that keeping these old gears running matters to people.

Old repairs needed creativity, new ones just need a catalog number.

You understand cameras better by fixing them the hard way.

Vent: Spotting a good lens in the dumpster makes me furious.

Reusing it could save a camera and cut down on waste.

Fixed my dad's vintage rangefinder with my little brother watching

I've noticed more people are sharing camera repair with family. When I opened up my dad's old camera, my brother was right there, asking about every part. We spent hours cleaning the lens and setting the focus right. He even helped with the light meter. It turned a simple fix into a bonding moment.

Just realized a pencil eraser cleans dirty lens contacts on cameras. No more error codes.