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Should I learn to repair cameras?
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Feb 18, 2021 19:06:55   #
Grahame Loc: Fiji
 
fotoman150 wrote:
I think I would enjoy repairing cameras and learning exactly how they work and everything about them.


What is your previous experience of working with precision engineering and micro electronics?

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Feb 18, 2021 19:11:04   #
User ID
 
Grahame wrote:
What is your previous experience of working with precision engineering and micro electronics?


Uhhhmnn ... aggravated misapplication of an 85/1.4. That should surely count for something, shouldn’t it ?

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Feb 18, 2021 19:16:40   #
sudamar Loc: Southern Indiana
 
There was a camera repair shop in my town a few years ago. The owner had his wife and daughter helping him and he had more business than he could handle. People were even sending him cameras from all over the U.S. He only gave it up because of health reasons, and we really miss the shop. He was one of those people who could repair anything. You could always do it on the side. It wouldn't have to be your full-time business. Go for it.

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Feb 18, 2021 20:22:43   #
fotoman150
 
Grahame wrote:
What is your previous experience of working with precision engineering and micro electronics?


None

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Feb 18, 2021 20:23:30   #
fotoman150
 
sudamar wrote:
There was a camera repair shop in my town a few years ago. The owner had his wife and daughter helping him and he had more business than he could handle. People were even sending him cameras from all over the U.S. He only gave it up because of health reasons, and we really miss the shop. He was one of those people who could repair anything. You could always do it on the side. It wouldn't have to be your full-time business. Go for it.


That’s an interesting opinion.

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Feb 18, 2021 20:25:48   #
fotoman150
 
I’m going to continue to look into it. I’m concerned that technology will get so cheap that it would be cheaper to buy a new camera.

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Feb 18, 2021 21:34:20   #
sudamar Loc: Southern Indiana
 
It isn't all about being cheaper. People love their old cameras and will gladly pay to have them fixed.

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Feb 18, 2021 21:56:12   #
MDI Mainer
 
I have an acquaintance who (in retirement) has a small business repairing vintage watches. He draws clientele from across the US and Canada. Perhaps there is a more readily accessible small-business market for the repair of vintage and/or collectible cameras, rather than contemporary models.

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Feb 19, 2021 05:36:09   #
User ID
 
sudamar wrote:
It isn't all about being cheaper. People love their old cameras and will gladly pay to have them fixed.


Gladly ?!?!?

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Feb 19, 2021 06:40:23   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
fotoman150 wrote:
What’s your opinion? Is there money to be made in this? Or are people throwing cameras away and getting new ones when they malfunction?

I think I would enjoy repairing cameras and learning exactly how they work and everything about them. But I don’t wanna waste my money on a course only to find out no one pays to have cameras repaired.

Do most professional photographers replace their shutters? Or do they just buy another camera?


You should call on a current camera repair shop and get a job with them. Then you can learn from the pro's.
Midwest Camera would be a great place to start.
You would soon discover if this line of work will work for you.

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Feb 19, 2021 06:41:31   #
traderjohn Loc: New York City
 
fotoman150 wrote:
What’s your opinion? Is there money to be made in this? Or are people throwing cameras away and getting new ones when they malfunction?

I think I would enjoy repairing cameras and learning exactly how they work and everything about them. But I don’t wanna waste my money on a course only to find out no one pays to have cameras repaired.

Do most professional photographers replace their shutters? Or do they just buy another camera?


I would think the cost of goods (inventory) if you were able to buy such parts would be prohibitive, what parts would you buy what suppliers/manufacturers would sell to you, who are they?. Training time?? Advertising? Needed tools?? Where would you go to learn the needed skills?? Is this your left side of your brain thinking about this. You know that cell phones are the 600-pound gorilla....right.

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Feb 19, 2021 06:46:55   #
Red6
 
fotoman150 wrote:
What’s your opinion? Is there money to be made in this? Or are people throwing cameras away and getting new ones when they malfunction?

I think I would enjoy repairing cameras and learning exactly how they work and everything about them. But I don’t wanna waste my money on a course only to find out no one pays to have cameras repaired.

Do most professional photographers replace their shutters? Or do they just buy another camera?


I used to farm and there was a joke then about a farmer who was asked what he would do if he won a million dollars. The farmer replied that he would probably just keep farming until it was all gone.

I see a camera repair business as being very similar. First, your competition, the big guys. Warranties are going to cover all the most expensive gear. Many people are not going to let a local, small guy touch their multiple thousand dollar cameras. Owners are going to want the camera company refurb and warranty their repairs.

Second parts - are you going to be able to get them? Like someone said, the only source of parts may be older or unserviceable cameras. Are photographers willing to spend hundreds of dollars to have used parts put into their expensive gear?

Third - Test equipment and tools - some of these cameras will require expensive tools and test equipment. Many of the cameras built in the last 10-15 years are basically computers that take photos. Will you be able to upgrade or handle the software side of this business?

Finally, can you make a living at it? Will you need to charge so much that people just cannot justify fixing the item. Many good business people wind up making less than $10-15 an hour after they pay their costs.

Like it or not cameras are fast becoming disposable commodities. Somewhere there is a price point that the broken camera is just disposable. There is a good reason there are no VCR, CD player, and toaster repair shops.

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Feb 19, 2021 07:15:41   #
BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL
 
fotoman150 wrote:
What’s your opinion? Is there money to be made in this? Or are people throwing cameras away and getting new ones when they malfunction?

I think I would enjoy repairing cameras and learning exactly how they work and everything about them. But I don’t wanna waste my money on a course only to find out no one pays to have cameras repaired.

Do most professional photographers replace their shutters? Or do they just buy another camera?


You're asking this question to people who probably haven't even tried to repair cameras--for a living or side business. What do YOU want to do? Go find a camera repair shop and ask them how they did it. Be your own source of authority in deciding what to do.

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Feb 19, 2021 08:18:08   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
If you have an interest in it & you think you can make even a few dollars at it, you can do it as a hobby if you really desire to. Like mentioned, eBay. Pick up one or two real cheap cameras & start tinkering to see how you like it.

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Feb 19, 2021 08:22:06   #
agillot
 
NO , CARS WOULD BE IT .there is a shortage since the old guys are moving on .

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