Repairs: Specialist or generalist?

Andreas Thaler · Jan 11, 2024

Since I'm not yet fit to work on the workbench, I'm dealing with basic questions

One of them is

whether, as a repairer, you should aim to have complete mastery of a repair area/certain devices or to cover as much work as possible, even if you are not able to repair everything.

This may seem like a banal question at first glance, but it decides which path you take.

Because it makes a big difference whether you are dealing with the mechanics of a Minolta SR-T 303b or with the electronics of a Minolta X-700. These are different worlds, even if there are electronics in the SR-T and, of course, mechanics in the X-700.

It takes time for training, an appropriately equipped workshop and knowledge that is not given to you in either mechanics or electronics.

I'm still traveling broadly now, but I think I'll stick to one topic and go into more depth. Because I have the ambition to explore and master a topic as much as possible. Even if this can never be completely the case because the technology is too complex or there is a lack of information, as is the rule with integrated electronic circuits.

What do you think about it? Which path or paths are you taking?

RalphLambrecht · Jan 11, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
Since I'm not yet fit to work on the workbench, I'm dealing with basic questions

One of them is

whether, as a repairer, you should aim to have complete mastery of a repair area/certain devices or to cover as much work as possible, even if you are not able to repair everything.

This may seem like a banal question at first glance, but it decides which path you take.

Because it makes a big difference whether you are dealing with the mechanics of a Minolta SR-T 303b or with the electronics of a Minolta X-700. These are different worlds, even if there are electronics in the SRT and, of course, mechanics in the X-700.

It takes time for training, an appropriately equipped workshop and knowledge that is not given to you in either mechanics or electronics.

I'm still traveling broadly now, but I think I'll stick to one topic and go into more depth. Because I have the ambition to explore and master a topic as much as possible. Even if this can never be completely the case because the technology is too complex or there is a lack of information, as is the rule with integrated electronic circuits.

What do you think about it? Which path or paths are you taking?

BeingJack of all trades and master of none wouldn't satisfy me.

forest bagger · Jan 11, 2024

I started as a hobbyist 60 years ago.
After many unsatisfying years of being an employee as an electronics technician I started with being an entrepreneur as a computer technician and, as the market kicked me off, as a technician for cameras and lenses.
Based on my initial training as a radio & tv technician I teached myself everything else.
In this way I specialized on Nikon cameras and lenses but kept my eyes open for devices from other manufacturers.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 11, 2024

forest bagger said:
I started as a hobbyist 60 years ago.
After many unsatisfying years of being an employee as an electronics technician I started with being an entrepreneur as a computer technician and, as the market kicked me off, as a technician for cameras and lenses.
Based on my initial training as a radio & tv technician I teached myself everything else.
In this way I specialized on Nikon cameras and lenses but kept my eyes open for devices from other manufacturers.

Did your switch from hobby to profession affect your motivation? Do you see repairing as more of a job to make a living or more of a passion?

It is often said that the change also has an impact on how one sees the topic.

forest bagger · Jan 11, 2024

Both changes from an employee to an entrepeneur were forced by unemployment and lack of prospects for a new job, so I had no other choice.
While computer manufacturing was following the market opportunities in the ninetees oft the last millennium,
repairing some photo equipment was turning my hobby into a career...

Andreas Thaler · Jan 11, 2024

forest bagger said:
Both changes from an employee to an entrepeneur were forced by unemployment and lack of prospects for a new job, so I had no other choice.
While computer manufacturing was following the market opportunities in the ninetees oft the last millennium,
repairing some photo equipment was turning my hobby into a career...

Based on your experiences, would you advise someone to get into the repair business? Or how do you assess the chances of being successful with it today?

forest bagger · Jan 11, 2024

If someone finds a gap in the market where few competitors offer repairs for his/her specialization I think that would be successful.
Then the only problem might be to find spare parts for old devices.

retina_restoration · Jan 11, 2024

Six years ago I acquired a 1946 Retina 1, Type 010 from a friend for twenty bucks. It had a lot of problems - primarily a non-functional shutter. And so, I went to YouTube to see if there was anything in the way of tutorials for fixing this camera's issue. That's when I first encountered Chris Sherlock's videos. I found videos by Chris that demonstrated how to service the Compur shutter on my camera and so I went ahead and serviced it as best I could without having the right tool to remove the shutter completely. (There's a lot you can do with a Compur with only access from the front)

I enjoyed the experience enough to study more of Chris's tutorials and soon found myself disassembling and servicing a Retina IIa. And then a IIIc. It was still a hobby at that point, and I acquired about 20 various Retina models to learn how to service them all - for the enjoyment of it. I had a machine shop friend make the shutter retaining ring removal tool for me during this time, so full access to these models became possible. I started servicing cameras for a few friends as I continued to learn from Chris through his videos and private conversations.

In 2020 I decided to start offering my services more broadly (for a fee). I was aware that Chris was planning on retiring about a year before he actually announced it, and we discussed my stepping into the role when he finally did retire in April of 2022. Chris has been immensely helpful in my learning this trade and I'm extremely grateful to him for his patience and generosity.

From April of 2022, Retina servicing became a nearly full time job for me. In 2023, I serviced 142 cameras (not including a few of my own). That translates into working 8-9 hour days, four (or more) days a week. So it is now a full time job for me. Sadly, I do not make "a living wage" doing this, but here in the USA its not possible to charge a fee for this kind of work that results in a living wage. But I'm not relying on this income to support me 100%, thankfully. Some people do make enough to live on, but it's generally technicians who service more "high end" cameras and they can charge $300-$500 for their work. It's a perception thing. But I enjoy the work and people are pleased with the result, so I'm happy with that.

Given that I already have as much work as I can cope with, I have no desire/need to expand to learning other brands/models of cameras. I believe this is the reason that most good technicians specialize on a brand and model group.

Laurent · Jan 11, 2024

I'd rather master purely mechanical cameras, I find more appeal in the intricate mechanism that drive them, and the clever design that make all functions work together.

I do not despise electronics, but have way less fun with this.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 11, 2024

retina_restoration said:
Sadly, I do not make "a living wage" doing this, but here in the USA its not possible to charge a fee for this kind of work that results in a living wage.

Thanks for these insights

Why isn't this possible in the US? Is purchasing power too low or is there too much competition?

Andreas Thaler · Jan 11, 2024

Laurent said:
I'd rather master purely mechanical cameras, I find more appeal in the intricate mechanism that drive them, and the clever design that make all functions work together.

I do not despise electronics, but have way less fun with this.

I should ask you for a few hours of mechanical instruction

Andreas Thaler · Jan 11, 2024

Vienna is something of a center for analogue photography equipment. We have shops here that our German neighbors also like to visit. But there are relatively few repair workshops for cameras.

A long-established one-man workshop had to close due to the owner's illness, and another workshop will probably have to do the same soon due to age reasons. Some camera shops have their repairmen, but there are no „big“ addresses here.

Nobody would take my T90 or X-700 because the electronics are too complex. Or I pay crazy prices if someone does do the work. So I have to do it myself as best as I can and do not take anyone's work away.

But I wouldn't want to make a living from it apart from the fact that there's very little I can do with the electronics. I had enough stress and pressure to succeed during my active career. That was okay and well paid, but manual labor is something different. Especially those that you usually can't do as a routine.

retina_restoration · Jan 11, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
Thanks for these insights

Why isn't this possible in the US? Is purchasing power too low or is there too much competition?

People aren't willing to pay what the work is worth (for Retina cameras). This is one major reason I have declined to add the Reflex models to my work list - this camera is so complex and time consuming to service (2 full days of labor) that nobody is interested in paying $400+ to service one. (I've had many inquiries, but when I quote the price, they all decline to get the work done)

If you're a Hasselblad technician, or a Rolleiflex specialist, then people will pay $300-$500 to get work done, but not "the lowly Retina".

Andreas Thaler · Jan 11, 2024

retina_restoration said:
People aren't willing to pay what the work is worth (for Retina cameras). This is one major reason I have declined to add the Reflex models to my work list - this camera is so complex and time consuming to service (2 full days of labor) that nobody is interested in paying $400+ to service one. (I've had many inquiries, but when I quote the price, they all decline to get the work done)

If you're a Hasselblad technician, or a Rolleiflex specialist, then people will pay $300-$500 to get work done, but not "the lowly Retina".

The owner of a workshop in Vienna once told me that he looks after his customers' Leica collections.

One of his customers holds his cameras to his ears every day, turns the wheels and if he thinks he hears something suspicious, the repairman has to come and take a look. He makes a good living because wealthy customers almost don't care what they pay. The main thing is that their Leicas are fine.

You can do it too, but probably not with the Minolta X-700

retina_restoration · Jan 11, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
The owner of a workshop in Vienna once told me that he looks after his customers' Leica collections.

One of his customers holds his cameras to his ears every day, turns the wheels and if he thinks he hears something suspicious, the repairman has to come and take a look. He makes a good living because wealthy customers almost don't care what they pay. The main thing is that their Leicas are fine.

You can do it too, but probably not with the Minolta X-700

I wouldn't want to have customers that required "house calls" every time they thought "something was wrong with the Baby"! No thanks, I'll stick with what I do.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 11, 2024

retina_restoration said:
I wouldn't want to have customers that required "house calls" every time they thought "something was wrong with the Baby"! No thanks, I'll stick with what I do.

I completely understand that.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 11, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
You can do it too, but probably not with the Minolta X-700

Bad English. I meant „one can do it too“.

Or is it also true with “you” in this sense?

Anyway I am sorry if a misunderstanding has arisen.

Alex Varas · Jan 11, 2024

Your question if many types or just a few I had it clear from the very beginning, only the cameras I like.

I started as a business a year ago, a bit more maybe, as a hobby already 5-6 years.

I repair cameras that I like, I started repairing the cameras I owned/bought:
Folding, TLR and Hasselblad, basically anything with leaf shutter and mechanical problems. I also started with Leica Barnack type first and now on my learning curve of M bodies.
I buy a camera, I open it, I learn about it, how and why is this and that, etc…

The income is not enough for paying the rent, someone else at home is doing that. My target is to be able to pay vacations and film, also gives me the chance of enjoying the repairing without pressure. As I said in a podcast “my wife does yoga and I repair cameras”.

88E30M50 · Jan 11, 2024

In my case, I'm focused more on specialization than being a generalist. The two platforms I've worked on most are the Canon FT/FTb and the A-1, AE-1 series. I've not gotten enough experience to even consider working on someone else's camera just yet but fortunately, A-1s in need of repair are inexpensive. Same goes for the FT and FTbs. I regularly find those in the broken camera bin at a local shop for $10. Some have just needed a new set of light seals and a light bit of lube on in the bottom section.

My goal is to gain enough skill to do a CLA with a high level of competence. Enough so to start a small business after I retire. I've downloaded all of the old Canon tech documents for the platforms from sites like LearnCameraRepair.com and have been going through two correspondence courses on camera repair. One is from the early '70s and is from LCR. The other was given to me by a buddy of mine that is a retired camera repairmen that was active from around 1990 until around 2015 or so. The second course is full of a lot of good hand written notes concerning camera repair, but also on running a business. In those notes were the recommendation made to him to specialize and focus efforts on that niche market.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 12, 2024

88E30M50 said:
My goal is to gain enough skill to do a CLA with a high level of competence. Enough so to start a small business after I retire. I've downloaded all of the old Canon tech documents for the platforms from sites like LearnCameraRepair.com and have been going through two correspondence courses on camera repair. One is from the early '70s and is from LCR. The other was given to me by a buddy of mine that is a retired camera repairmen that was active from around 1990 until around 2015 or so. The second course is full of a lot of good hand written notes concerning camera repair, but also on running a business. In those notes were the recommendation made to him to specialize and focus efforts on that niche market.

I think this is a project with a clear goal

National Camera's course for repairers is
available on learncamerarepair.com, but unfortunately SLR is not covered or the documents have not yet been published.

I am also interested in the A-1 and the Canon A series and would be grateful for any reference to repair instructions. And of course I am very open to any cooperation, as long as it is not commercial

kl122002 · Jan 12, 2024

The technician I know in my place has been there for at least 40 years, and thinking about retirement now since he is getting too old. He is one of the people who inspired me to try camera repair myself. He shared his story to me and then I have been thinking about this.

Being specialist isn't bad , especially back when digital cameras weren't popular. Being a Rollei, old Contax, Leica specialist can definitely make enough money for living. But today is different : people can DIY and learn from YouTube, or just get another one from a cheaper cost. The repair works also hifted more towards to "newer" cameras that made after computerized or electronic control dominant in 1980s. However the ugly truth is those 1980s cameras materials, like the plastic wheels , are not designed to work for 40years. Once this piece goes wrong then the camera/lens could be dead.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 12, 2024

kl122002 said:
However the ugly truth is those 1980s cameras materials, like the plastic wheels , are not designed to work for 40years. Once this piece goes wrong then the camera/lens could be dead.

I object

On all the Minolta Xs I had on the workbench, the plastic gears in the camera base were ok. I saw no damage or wear even on well-used specimens.

kl122002 · Jan 12, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
I object

On all the Minolta Xs I had on the workbench, the plastic gears in the camera base were ok. I saw no damage or wear even on well-used specimens.

Maybe?

I have seen too many broken wheels already. It is not user's fault but the material itself. I have seen plastics wheel cracked itself inside the camera. Those days I have no other options but either give it up, or make a metal wheels to replace. Of course today I can ask people with 3D printer to remake one.

Somehow I also believe the environment could be the cause. As for the palace when I am living now (Asia) with humid and hot weather the camera and lenses wear out faster than Europe .I never dare to take out my camera in Spring.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 12, 2024

kl122002 said:
Maybe?

I have seen too many broken wheels already. It is not user's fault but the material itself. I have seen plastics wheel cracked itself inside the camera. Those days I have no other options but either give it up, or make a metal wheels to replace. Of course today I can ask people with 3D printer to remake one.

Somehow I also believe the environment could be the cause. As for the palace when I am living now (Asia) with humid and hot weather the camera and lenses wear out faster than Europe .I never dare to take out my camera in Spring.

One or more plastic gears in some Nikon Motor Drives are notorious for going out of service.

Sover Wong installs his own metal replacement

4season · Jan 12, 2024

I'm a generalist, but I'm trying to become a choosier generalist

So far, I haven't felt the incentive to specialize, because I don't care to own too many similar cameras, and I haven't discovered any niche which allows me to:

buy cameras cheaply
repair quickly
resell at a decent profit

(With common Zenit cameras, it's Yes/Yes/No)

Repairs: Specialist or generalist?

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