What Do I have to do?

Fill out the Inquiry form for the department you’re trying to contact. This will send an email to us, and we will get back to you with prices, turnaround times, and other information. Should you accept, we will give you shipping instructions along with a service contract, and intake form.
After contacting us, and we’ve received the required intake service contract and intake form, you will ship your camera to the address provided, or make an appointment to personally drop it off at our shop.
Package the camera securely so that you cannot hear it move if box is shaken. You may choose any carrier to ship, but be sure to send us the tracking number after shipping. In case it is damaged or destroyed during shipment, consider insuring the package for the full replacement value.
Disclaimer - Clients are responsible for shipping costs both to and from the repair shop.
After your equipment arrives, one of our repair technicians will perform a full diagnostic inspection of the camera.
You will receive: a diagnostic report explaining the issues, a description of the recommended repairs, and an itemized estimate covering parts, labor, and return shipping.
The estimate must be approved, and parts and materials paid for before the repair can start. This process ensures you understand exactly what work your camera needs before repairs begin.
Let the repair commence! As your repair technician progresses, you will receive updates with photos.
Additional costs may incur if we find any issues that weren’t present or noticeable during inspection. We will first seek approval by the customer, before adjusting the repair cost and continuing the service.
Disclaimer: Repair timelines vary depending on the camera and the work required.
Vintage camera restoration can take anywhere from two weeks to a few months, and in some, rare cases six months or longer, depending on parts availability, repair complexity, current workload, additional issues discovered during service.
Once the camera is reassembled, your repair technician gives it a final clean and detailing, before it is shipped back to the customer. They are given the opportunity to write a review, and always welcomed back for future repairs.

What does a repair

look like?

Every camera begins with a careful inspection before any work is performed.
This stage involves:
- Examining the camera’s exterior condition
- Checking the shutter, film transport, and controls
- Identifying visible wear, corrosion, or prior repair attempts
- Verifying completeness of the camera and accessories
Basic functional tests are also performed to determine how the camera is currently operating. This helps identify obvious issues and provides a starting point for deeper inspection during disassembly.
Photos are taken to document the camera’s condition before servicing begins.
After the initial inspection, the camera is evaluated more closely to determine the full scope of work required.
This may include:
- Checking shutter timing behavior
- Testing film advance and frame spacing
- Inspecting focus mechanisms and helicoids
- Examining the condition of light seals and internal components
At this stage, the likely service needs are determined and a repair plan is established.
Once service begins, the camera is methodically disassembled.
Vintage cameras were designed with layered mechanical assemblies, meaning many components must be removed in a precise order to reach internal mechanisms. Each screw, spring, and lever must be handled carefully and kept organized during this process.
Disassembly allows access to parts that have not been cleaned or lubricated in decades.
Old grease and debris are removed from internal components during cleaning.
Over time, lubricants can harden into thick residue that interferes with the movement of gears, shutters, and linkages. Removing this buildup is essential for restoring proper function.
Cleaning may involve:
- Degreasing metal components
- Removing hardened lubricants
- Clearing dust and debris from mechanisms
- Cleaning shutter assemblies where necessary
This step is critical because proper lubrication cannot be applied until the old material has been removed.
Once components are clean, fresh lubrication is applied in specific locations throughout the mechanism.
Different parts of the camera require different types of lubrication depending on their movement and load. The goal is to restore smooth mechanical operation while avoiding excess lubrication that could migrate to other areas.
Correct lubrication helps ensure that the camera operates consistently and reduces wear on internal parts.
Reassembly is not simply the reverse of disassembly. As the camera is rebuilt, numerous adjustments must be made to bring the mechanisms back into proper alignment.
During this stage, adjustments may include:
- Shutter timing and synchronization
- Film advance and frame spacing
- Tension and timing of springs and linkages
- Focus calibration where applicable
- Alignment of mechanical assemblies
Many of these adjustments interact with each other, meaning they must be refined gradually during the reassembly process.
After the camera is fully reassembled, it undergoes functional testing.
This stage verifies that the mechanisms operate correctly and consistently. The camera is cycled repeatedly to ensure that the shutter, advance system, and controls behave as intended.
In many cases, test film may be run through the camera to confirm proper operation under real shooting conditions.
Before the camera is returned, it receives a final cleaning and inspection.
This includes:
- Cleaning exterior surfaces
- Removing fingerprints and dust from handling during service
- Verifying that controls operate smoothly
- Performing a final operational check
At this stage the camera is prepared for return shipment.

What Happens to

my Film?

Place the number of rolls you want developed, as well as add-on services in your cart.
After contacting us, and we’ve received the required intake service contract and intake form, you will ship your camera to the address provided, or make an appointment to personally drop it off at our shop.
Package the camera securely so that you cannot hear it move if box is shaken. You may choose any carrier to ship, but be sure to send us the tracking number after shipping. In case it is damaged or destroyed during shipment, consider insuring the package for the full replacement value.
Disclaimer - Clients are responsible for shipping costs both to and from the repair shop.
After your equipment arrives, one of our repair technicians will perform a full diagnostic inspection of the camera.
You will receive: a diagnostic report explaining the issues, a description of the recommended repairs, and an itemized estimate covering parts, labor, and return shipping.
The estimate must be approved, and parts and materials paid for before the repair can start. This process ensures you understand exactly what work your camera needs before repairs begin.
Let the repair commence! As your repair technician progresses, you will receive updates with photos.
Additional costs may incur if we find any issues that weren’t present or noticeable during inspection. We will first seek approval by the customer, before adjusting the repair cost and continuing the service.
Disclaimer: Repair timelines vary depending on the camera and the work required.
Vintage camera restoration can take anywhere from two weeks to a few months, and in some, rare cases six months or longer, depending on parts availability, repair complexity, current workload, additional issues discovered during service.
Once the camera is reassembled, your repair technician gives it a final clean and detailing, before it is shipped back to the customer. They are given the opportunity to write a review, and always welcomed back for future repairs.