PCCGB

Many collectors have cameras that could benefit from either a bit of restoration, or possibly a full repair job – but getting the right information can be both time consuming and potentially damaging – just because it’s on the internet doesn’t mean the information is safe to use!

Club members Steven Sargent and and Sam Wright have compiled a list of links to restorers and repairers, and also Youtube videos which have proven useful. The information below will be updated periodically – if you have the details of businesses who can do repair and restoration work, or if you find a  worthwhile Youtube link email it to Steven and we will add it to the list.

Please note that some of the urls listed below are older ‘http’ types – so your browser may show an ‘insecure address’ warning.

Various Repair and Restoration articles have also featured in the pages of Photographica World and Tailboard – use the buttons below to view

TypeSubjectURLComments
RestoreCustom & new bellows https://www.custombellows.co.ukCustom-made new and replacement bellows
RestoreCustom Coverings https://www.aki-asahi.com/store/Custome camera coverings
RestoreCustom Fabricationhttps://skgrimes.comYour one-stop design, fabrication and finishing
RestoreLeather restorationhttps://www.furnitureclinic.co.ukHelping to restore leather cases
RestoreVintage restoringhttp://tinyurl.com/4pc9kprvCleaning and restoring vintage cameras
Repair&Refurbish Fixing Old Camerashttps://pheugo.com/cameras/index.phpNotes on Fixing Old Cameras
RepairCamera modificationshttps://www.youtube.com/@patricknicholsdesign/videosDocumenting creative endeavors.
RepairCamera Museumhttps://www.cameramuseum.uk/camera-repair-and-serviceHasselblad and others
RepairCamera Repairhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/albums/page6Posts about fixing cameras.
RepairCamera Repairhttps://www.rolandandcaroline.co.uk/repair.htmlRepair notes on selected cameras
RepairCamera Repairhttps://feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.htmlRepair notes on selected cameras
RepairCamera Repairhttps://www.pentax-manuals.com/repairs.htmRepair notes on Pentax cameras
RepairCamera Repairhttps://mattsclassiccameras.com/how-to/general-repair-tips/General Repair Tips
RepairCamera Rescuehttps://www.youtube.com/@CameraRescue
RepairCamera Rescuehttps://instagram.com/camerarescue?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
RepairCamera Revivalhttps://camerarevival.comRepairing, servicing, revisioning and rebuilding of analogue cameras and (ciné) lenses.
RepairCamera Shophttps://instagram.com/wycameras?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Analogue camera shop in Leeds
RepairCamera Workshophttps://camerarepairworkshop.co.ukRepairing film cameras and lenses
RepairChromatic Parts SX-70http://tinyurl.com/yjkvtssaSX-70 + SLR680/690 repairs and refurbs
RepairFED-1 & Zorkij-1 survival sitehttps://jay.fedka.com/Jay Javier's FED/Zorki Notes
RepairFilm Furbish for Rolleihttps://www.filmfurbish.comRepairs ok, but not top class service
RepairFix Old Camerashttps://www.youtube.com/@FixOldCameras/featured
RepairGraflexPartshttps://www.graflexparts.comRepairs and mods for Graflex and other large format cameras
RepairJack The Hathttps://www.ebay.co.uk/str/jackthehatphotographicSells foams light seals, grease, and tools for camera repair
RepairLearn Camera Repairhttp://tinyurl.com/4c2n628bLessons, Resources, and More
RepairLeica IIIF repairhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTb94H0AGng&t=1465sYouTube video of Leica IIIF CLA and repair
RepairLeica Servicinghttps://www.cameraworks-uk.com/detailed-price-list
RepairLens & Camera Repairshttps://www.youtube.com/@mikeno62/videosRepair of almost everything that can be disassembled
RepairMilly Camerashttp://tinyurl.com/28zke5zpAn eBay shop for light seal material
RepairNikon Maintenancehttps://richardhaw.com
RepairPhotography and Morehttps://www.youtube.com/@photographyandmore/aboutTutorials and information about cameras and everything related to photography.
RepairPolar Bear Camerashttps://www.ebay.co.uk/str/polarbearcameraVintage Camera store & maintenance
RepairRepair various camerashttps://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-164.htmlTech Notes collection. $15 for a PDF of 1,000+ pages of 253 folders based on camera type,
RepairRepair various camerashttps://rick_oleson.tripod.com/cdtree.jpgTech Notes - list of cameras covered
RepairRepair various camerashttps://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-27.htmlTech Notes page. Lots of repair & restoration topics
RepairRepair various camerashttps://rickoleson-brightscreen.com/122-2/Repair notes - Several free examples
RepairRetina Repairshttps://retinarescue.com/Kodak Retina series of 35mm cameras
RepairRetina Repairshttps://www.youtube.com/@ChrisSherlock/featuredMostly stuff related to the Kodak Retina series of 35mm cameras
RepairRicoh Auto Halfhttps://tinyurl.com/2mksxczr35MMC - Rescue and Modification of a Ricoh Auto Half
RepairShutter Testinghttps://tinyurl.com/2psh9hnfAlthough not camera repair again this a shutter tester used for repair.
RepairThe Classic Camerahttps://theclassiccamera.com/repairs-servicing/Wide range of repair and service options both through partnered manufacturers and carefully selected agents
RepairThe Vintage Camera Repair Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/vintagecamerarepair/ This is a facebook group where you can ask people questions etc about repairing your camera
RepairUSA Camera Shophttps://www.procamera.usFrom digital camera sensor cleanings to vintage Leica shutter repairs. Useful self estimate gudie.
RepairVintage repairshttps://www.youtube.com/@SimonWhiteheadPhoto/featuredVintage camera and lens repairs. Home of the QUICKFIX.
RepairVintage repairshttps://instagram.com/camerarepairs?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Vintage camera and lens repairs. Home of the QUICKFIX.
RepairWet Platehttps://www.youtube.com/@mhaustriaCollodion wet plate photography and other photography related projects.
RepairWet Platehttps://instagram.com/mhaustria?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Instagram page
RepairZeiss Contaxhttps://tinyurl.com/25xjma4jPeter Tooke’s book on Zeiss Contax II and III f. Oxfam link.
RepairZeiss Contaxhttps://tinyurl.com/4s4mnywtPeter Tooke’s book on Zeiss Contax II and III f. Abe books link.
Refurbish1901 Fotografihttps://www.1901fotografi.co.uk/shopThis chap makes some nice camera straps.
RefurbishBurley Maker UKhttps://www.burleycameras.comMaker and supplier of traditional film and plate camera parts
RefurbishCamera Shophttps://wycameras.com
RefurbishMirror refurbishmenthttps://tinyurl.com/2p8r96b8Mirror refurb
RefurbishRefurbish Vintage camerashttps://www.refracted.net/restoration.htmlJohn Marriage's selected old and interesting cameras
RefurbishThe Worcestershire Cabinet Makerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-js2s5z7NI A series of videos made by a carpenter on a large format camera
RefurbishTool suggestionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egNC-4s1WQ4Five Best Tools to Repair Vintage Film Cameras
RefurbishVintage Camera Restorationhttps://throughavintagelens.com/category/restoration/Vintage Camera Restoration notes
RepairArgus CC light meter repairhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/lux4u2/5467883203/
Light meter repair
RefurbishYoung Kamera Fuchs https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/youngkamerafuchsRestoration, Leathers & parts

Repair and restoration articles from the pages of Photographica World magazine

TypeSubjectURLComments
RestoreCustom & new bellows https://www.custombellows.co.ukCustom-made new and replacement bellows
RestoreCustom Coverings https://www.aki-asahi.com/store/Custome camera coverings
RestoreCustom Fabricationhttps://skgrimes.comYour one-stop design, fabrication and finishing
RestoreLeather restorationhttps://www.furnitureclinic.co.ukHelping to restore leather cases
RestoreVintage restoringhttp://tinyurl.com/4pc9kprvCleaning and restoring vintage cameras
Repair&Refurbish Fixing Old Camerashttps://pheugo.com/cameras/index.phpNotes on Fixing Old Cameras
RepairCamera modificationshttps://www.youtube.com/@patricknicholsdesign/videosDocumenting creative endeavors.
RepairCamera Museumhttps://www.cameramuseum.uk/camera-repair-and-serviceHasselblad and others
RepairCamera Repairhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/albums/page6Posts about fixing cameras.
RepairCamera Repairhttps://www.rolandandcaroline.co.uk/repair.htmlRepair notes on selected cameras
RepairCamera Repairhttps://feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.htmlRepair notes on selected cameras
RepairCamera Repairhttps://www.pentax-manuals.com/repairs.htmRepair notes on Pentax cameras
RepairCamera Repairhttps://mattsclassiccameras.com/how-to/general-repair-tips/General Repair Tips
RepairCamera Rescuehttps://www.youtube.com/@CameraRescue
RepairCamera Rescuehttps://instagram.com/camerarescue?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
RepairCamera Revivalhttps://camerarevival.comRepairing, servicing, revisioning and rebuilding of analogue cameras and (ciné) lenses.
RepairCamera Shophttps://instagram.com/wycameras?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Analogue camera shop in Leeds
RepairCamera Workshophttps://camerarepairworkshop.co.ukRepairing film cameras and lenses
RepairChromatic Parts SX-70http://tinyurl.com/yjkvtssaSX-70 + SLR680/690 repairs and refurbs
RepairFED-1 & Zorkij-1 survival sitehttps://jay.fedka.com/Jay Javier's FED/Zorki Notes
RepairFilm Furbish for Rolleihttps://www.filmfurbish.comRepairs ok, but not top class service
RepairFix Old Camerashttps://www.youtube.com/@FixOldCameras/featured
RepairGraflexPartshttps://www.graflexparts.comRepairs and mods for Graflex and other large format cameras
RepairJack The Hathttps://www.ebay.co.uk/str/jackthehatphotographicSells foams light seals, grease, and tools for camera repair
RepairLearn Camera Repairhttp://tinyurl.com/4c2n628bLessons, Resources, and More
RepairLeica IIIF repairhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTb94H0AGng&t=1465sYouTube video of Leica IIIF CLA and repair
RepairLeica Servicinghttps://www.cameraworks-uk.com/detailed-price-list
RepairLens & Camera Repairshttps://www.youtube.com/@mikeno62/videosRepair of almost everything that can be disassembled
RepairMilly Camerashttp://tinyurl.com/28zke5zpAn eBay shop for light seal material
RepairNikon Maintenancehttps://richardhaw.com
RepairPhotography and Morehttps://www.youtube.com/@photographyandmore/aboutTutorials and information about cameras and everything related to photography.
RepairPolar Bear Camerashttps://www.ebay.co.uk/str/polarbearcameraVintage Camera store & maintenance
RepairRepair various camerashttps://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-164.htmlTech Notes collection. $15 for a PDF of 1,000+ pages of 253 folders based on camera type,
RepairRepair various camerashttps://rick_oleson.tripod.com/cdtree.jpgTech Notes - list of cameras covered
RepairRepair various camerashttps://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-27.htmlTech Notes page. Lots of repair & restoration topics
RepairRepair various camerashttps://rickoleson-brightscreen.com/122-2/Repair notes - Several free examples
RepairRetina Repairshttps://retinarescue.com/Kodak Retina series of 35mm cameras
RepairRetina Repairshttps://www.youtube.com/@ChrisSherlock/featuredMostly stuff related to the Kodak Retina series of 35mm cameras
RepairRicoh Auto Halfhttps://tinyurl.com/2mksxczr35MMC - Rescue and Modification of a Ricoh Auto Half
RepairShutter Testinghttps://tinyurl.com/2psh9hnfAlthough not camera repair again this a shutter tester used for repair.
RepairThe Classic Camerahttps://theclassiccamera.com/repairs-servicing/Wide range of repair and service options both through partnered manufacturers and carefully selected agents
RepairThe Vintage Camera Repair Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/vintagecamerarepair/ This is a facebook group where you can ask people questions etc about repairing your camera
RepairUSA Camera Shophttps://www.procamera.usFrom digital camera sensor cleanings to vintage Leica shutter repairs. Useful self estimate gudie.
RepairVintage repairshttps://www.youtube.com/@SimonWhiteheadPhoto/featuredVintage camera and lens repairs. Home of the QUICKFIX.
RepairVintage repairshttps://instagram.com/camerarepairs?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Vintage camera and lens repairs. Home of the QUICKFIX.
RepairWet Platehttps://www.youtube.com/@mhaustriaCollodion wet plate photography and other photography related projects.
RepairWet Platehttps://instagram.com/mhaustria?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Instagram page
RepairZeiss Contaxhttps://tinyurl.com/25xjma4jPeter Tooke’s book on Zeiss Contax II and III f. Oxfam link.
RepairZeiss Contaxhttps://tinyurl.com/4s4mnywtPeter Tooke’s book on Zeiss Contax II and III f. Abe books link.
Refurbish1901 Fotografihttps://www.1901fotografi.co.uk/shopThis chap makes some nice camera straps.
RefurbishBurley Maker UKhttps://www.burleycameras.comMaker and supplier of traditional film and plate camera parts
RefurbishCamera Shophttps://wycameras.com
RefurbishMirror refurbishmenthttps://tinyurl.com/2p8r96b8Mirror refurb
RefurbishRefurbish Vintage camerashttps://www.refracted.net/restoration.htmlJohn Marriage's selected old and interesting cameras
RefurbishThe Worcestershire Cabinet Makerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-js2s5z7NI A series of videos made by a carpenter on a large format camera
RefurbishTool suggestionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egNC-4s1WQ4Five Best Tools to Repair Vintage Film Cameras
RefurbishVintage Camera Restorationhttps://throughavintagelens.com/category/restoration/Vintage Camera Restoration notes
RefurbishYoung Kamera Fuchs https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/youngkamerafuchsRestoration, Leathers & parts

From the pages of Tailboard

A little light (meter) reading

by Timothy Campbell

Earlier this year at Boston Spa camera fair I came across a stack of ‘The Miniature Camera’ magazines – I enjoy reading period publications, and this was one mag which I’d never had the chance to buy before. I didn’t buy the lot, but bought a sample issue for each of the years on offer  – being 1947 48, 49 and 50. The magazines are the usual mix of ‘home brew’ developing and printing ideas, photographic projects and of course equipment news and reviews. But what really caught my eye was the back page advert from the 1948 mag – for the GEC light meter. I have a meter or two in my collection, and I still use my ‘modern’ digital meter, the Sekonic L308, but the design and class of the GEC really made me sit up.

A quick search on Ebay and I was thrilled to find a listing for a very dead example. A ‘make an offer’ deal was struck, and I think this must be the shortest time ever for going from ‘never heard of it’ to having the thing in my hands – just four days!

The meter is a superb design, and so simple and elegant to use. You take a reading, (light value), align the middle rotating collar (which gives film speed in Scheiner) with the LV number, then read off the shutter/aperture pairs on the outer ring. There’s also a notched part to allow you to over or underexpose a set amount – very useful as back then film speeds were very much a variable, and hugely dependant on individual user and developer choices.

Now, if only I could get this object of desire to function…

My brother Marty has often helped me with repair projects, and his knowledge and ingenuity in the tech end of things is pretty much second to none, so we had a chat, I handed him the GEC meter and left him to it.

What is so exciting is that he came up with a non destructive way to repair the meter, and his approach to selenium cell replacement can be used with any other long dead meter, assuming the original cell is roughly the same size as the one provided for £1.50 by an eBay seller, ie about 25mm diameter.

Here’s Marty’s ‘how to’ repair guide for the GEC meter:

Two screws beneath sealing wax on the front of the meter allows the meter to slide apart. With the adjustment rings and wavy washers removed, push out from the inside with tip of a flat screwdriver the four pins holding the meter unit to the Bakelite rear casing.

De-solder or cut the original calibration resistor wire connected to the right tab on the meter movement.

Lift the meter unit from the main body.

Upturn the rear housing to allow the Selenium cell to drop free.

Use a small screw driver through the rear housing holes and gently prise free the electrical connecting ring and original calibration resistor.

Solder in place a subminiature rotary resistor of 10k ohm value as seen in the photos – the blue resistor shown here.  Then:

Add two wires for connecting back to the meter.

Tape over these freshly made soldered joints.

When reassembled this rotary control will be accessible through a rear hole for calibration.

Cut away one blade of the original connecting ring ( back side of meter unit) to allow room for the resistor to fit in.

Cut and prepare the wire ends before reassembly.

One will solder to the right tab on the meter, the other leave bare to be trapped under the gauge panel and screw.

Place the completed assembly back into the rear housing, position it – checking that the control ends up visible through one of the rear holes in the honeycomb. With the gauge fully seated in the housing, push the four retaining pins back into place.

A tiny smear of glue on the heads will ensure they do not come loose, I used Pritt stick. Do not use superglue as in 100 years time the next restorer will not get it apart without damage.

Set the calibration now. It will take a few attempts as your hand and screw driver will be blocking the light as you adjust the control.

The adjustment rings can now be put back in place followed by the gauge front and retaining screws.

For completion, the front screws should be capped with black wax and a tiny swirly “S” carved back in.

1948 advert
GEC meter minus the outer shell
the meter coil and needle
some of the shims
replacement modern photo cell
Photo cell attached
Calibration resistor soldered in
GEC meter - repaired and fully working

Reflections on a mirror problem by Richard Oates

I bought a very nice Voigtlander Vag at a recent Boston Spa camera fair. This is the cheapest of Voigtlander’s trio of late 1920’s, early 1930’s plate cameras with rise and shift. Mine was the 6.5cm x 9cm version.
I was looking for the more sophisticated Avus or even a Bergheil if the budget would stretch that far. Still looking!
Made in 1931, this Vag was immaculate except for the mirror in the reflecting finder as can be seen in the photograph, here.
This is a glass mirror and is quite obviously completely useless. As the rest of the camera was so good I just had to find a way to restore it.
I was looking for something else on the Amazon web site when I spotted a spray called ‘Rust-oleum‘, and decided to give it a try. Here’s the way I tackled it.
First, carefully clean and polish the very fragile piece of glass and finish with Isopropyl Alcohol. Then decide which is the back and give it three light passes with the spray, allowing 30 minutes drying time between each pass. Turn it over and lo and behold, and much to my surprise, you have a working mirror.
Not perfect, but certainly usable and very smart.

Footnote:
I don’t know whether it works on metal. Please note that someone on the web recommended putting a protective coat over the top of the mirror silver. Tried that – it spoilt the mirror and sent me back for a second try after more glass cleaning. 
Longevity? No idea but it still looks the same two months on.