The R&R Project

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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


View the R&R List


View the PW R&R List


Tailboard Tips

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


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Repair and restoration articles from the pages of Photograp[hica World magazine

TitlePW issuePage
Alpa Reflex repair 1496
Camera repairs, simple9231
Camera restoration systematic approach13734
Camera restoration working with brass13839
Compur shutter diaphragm repair14658
Exposure meter repair Zeiss Contaflex Super B8638
Goerz reflex Shutter description and repair10737
Minox B disassembly & repair8524
Renovating camera viewing hoods13920
Repairing cameras, general advice9231
Repairing Compur shutter on Bessamatic9923
Repairing roller blind shutters10225
Retina IIIS rangefinder repairs8610
Roller blind shutter repair10225
Shutter diaphragm repair14658
Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super B repair8638


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From the pages of Tailboard

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.





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Registered Office: 5 Buntingford Road, Puckeridge, Ware SG11 1RT, UK

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