FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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When your camera is not functioning properly, I always start by Googling my make-model along with the problem — for example, “Pentax 67ii Film Advance Lever not advancing.” You never know if the issue is simply a user error and you can usually find out on the internet if it is a common misconception with your make/model. You can download user manuals for your camera model online most of the time as well. Read them! AND, you can often find introductory how-to videos for your camera online. Take advantage of all the camera-geeks on the web who want to share their knowledge and solutions. Once you have ruled out user error, it is good practice to lookup/contact the maker of your camera and find out what their repair policy/procedure is. Repair times can be lengthy, be prepared to wait. Picking up the phone is always a good start! Start by contacting the locations closest to you (you may not have to ship your camera and instead can bring it in person). If you live in the area, stop by Southeastern Camera — they are more than happy to help. More shops are listed below, some of whom specialize in thorough repair and others who have very limited repair options.
Southeastern Camera (Carrboro, NC): https://www.secamera.com/index9df1.html?p=10524
Peace Camera (Raleigh, NC): https://www.peacecamera.com/services
Pro Camera (Charlottesville, VA): https://www.procamera.us/repairs
Nipon Photo Clinic (NYC, NY): https://nipponphotoclinic.com/services
Photo Tech (NYC, NC): https://phototech.com
The FINDlab: https://thefindlab.ecwid.com/Camera-Repair-p625108707
Nikon: https://www.nikonusa.com/content/contact-us
Canon: https://www.usa.canon.com/support/service-and-repair
Leica: https://leica-camera.com/en-US/service-support/repair-maintenance
Olympus: https://learnandsupport.getolympus.com/repair
Fuji: https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/consumer/support/digitalcameras/digital-cameras/repair-locations
Pentax/Ricoh: https://www.precisioncamera.com/Ricoh
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When it comes to analog, we are usually purchasing used gear. Buying used gear is good for the soul and for the planet. Lots of cameras and lenses were incredibly well conceived, sourced and crafted way back when and continue to perform beautifully. If you don’t know what you want, it’s great to go in person and speak with someone who can show you their different models. You can touch and feel the camera or lens which makes a BIG difference. If you know what you want, you can stalk it online and hunt down a good deal. Oftentimes, the best deals come direct-to-consumer as with Ebay, Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist type of sites. The alternative is retailers that have a used department, like Seawood or KEH, who may charge a bit more but can guarantee the quality and performance. Don’t forget to check your grandparent’s attic! You never know what’s up there. You can also frequent estate sales in your area which can make for a fun treasure-hunt weekend in and of itself. For an inexhaustive resource on camera models, old and new, visit Camera-Wiki.
Southeastern Camera (Carrboro, NC): https://www.secamera.com/
Southeastern Camera (Raleigh, NC): https://www.southeasterncamera.com
Southeastern Camera (Craigslist Daily Listing): https://raleigh.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=used%20equipment%20at%20southeastern%20camera&sort=rel#search=1~gallery~0~0
Peace Camera (Raleigh, NC): https://www.peacecamera.com/
KEH: https://www.keh.com/
Seawood Photo: https://www.seawood.shop/
The FINDlab: https://thefindlab.ecwid.com/BUY-FILM-CAMERAS-c65513042
Tamarkin Camera: https://www.tamarkin.com/
B+H Photo Video: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/
Adorama: https://www.adorama.com/
Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/
Craigslist: https://www.craigslist.org/about/sites#US
Facebook Marketplace
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Everyone wants to know where they can get scans. For starters, try printing in our analog darkroom and bypass scanning altogether! We know — you want digital versions to share online as well. Luckily, we’ve got a few local places that can do scans for you. And, here’s a tip from Southeastern Camera: don’t cut your roll of film, it’s cheaper to scan the entire roll in one piece with their technology.
Scanning technology runs the gamut and is experiencing a sea change right now. There are efforts in play to salvage the old units, like CCD and drum scanners, but for the independent photographer this can be cost-prohibitive and a total nuisance to keep up with. We recommend getting yourself an affordable at-home scanner for your negatives (click here) that will allow you to create digital images for editing, web use and for making small prints. For making large archival and exhibition prints, visit one of our local shops below who can make high resolution scans for your most celebrated selects.
Peel Gallery + Photo Lab (Carrboro, NC): https://www.peel.gallery/photo-lab-services
Southeastern Camera (Carrboro, NC): https://www.secamera.com/index2dd3.html?p=8769
Dalmation Black & White (Greensboro, NC): https://www.dalmatianlab.com/digital/scan-services-pricing/
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Whether you’re preparing for an exhibition or your mother-in-law has been pestering you to hang up one of your photos in your living room, there are a number of local options where you can get archival inkjet prints made.
First, it’s important to prioritize which of your photos need to be printed in the highest quality possible. In the absence of having a printer at home, if you are editing a project or making small copies for family, for example, you do not need the highest quality large prints. You need good-quality smaller prints. Send the lion’s share of your digital files off to Printique (formerly Adoramapix), thus saving some money, so that you have a lot of small (3X5 or 4X6) physical copies to work with or share. If they are truly just for editing, consider Walgreens or the like. From there, make the thoughtful (and brutal!) decisions for which prints are unquestionably worth the next step: BIGGER and archival.
An archival inkjet print, also known as a giclée print, is called such because of the combination of the paper and ink that result in a print that will retain its original integrity for many years. Of course, proper storage (temperature, housing, etc.) is a huge factor in how long a print will ‘last.’ The ink used in this process is pigment based, which is generally more durable and resistant to scratches and UV light than dye-based inks.
Once you’ve landed on an image to print, there are even more choices you’ll have to make: size, quantity, paper type, etc. Luckily, we have a handful of spots here in the Triangle that can make your fine art print dreams come true.
Flatspace Studio (Carrboro, NC)
Peel Gallery + Photo Lab (Carrboro, NC)
Dalmation Black & White (Greensboro, NC)
If you’re interested in printing at home due to convenience, volume, or whatever other reason, we’ve included a few photo printers that are worth considering. Of course, costs will vary depending on paper type, paper size, and ink, but the following fall under the ‘affordable’ category (<$500):
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So you’re hooked on analog. You want to tinker, experiment, play and progress. Here’s a list of places to find chems, equipment and accessories. AND, when you’re at PHOTO FARM, ask us about our secret free stash of random stuff…
Southeastern Camera (Carrboro, NC)
As always, check Ebay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace et al.
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Awards season is upon us! Just because you’re not an A-list Hollywood celeb doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be recognized for your work. Photography grants and awards are a useful pipeline to get your work in front of the gatekeepers, grow your career, and even get a financial boost. Simply put, public recognition can put the wind in your sails.
One thing to note is that many contests for awards require a submission fee. Figure out what makes sense for you, financially. Some organizations use this model as a licensing or money grab, so be discerning. Check the fine print to see what licensing terms (for your photographs) the granting organization is claiming via your submission. Also check to find offers to waive the submission fee for applicants in financial need.
It isn’t a bad idea to see if certain camera/equipment brands, such as Leica, put on competitions. Sony as well puts on their World Photography Awards, which includes professionals, students, youth, and open categories.
Some awards, grants, and granting organizations that we particularly encourage are:
Alexia Foundation (grants for both professionals and students)
There are also websites that curate an up-to-date (usually) list of competitions:
Society for Photographic Education
These suggestions are, of course, non-exhaustive and may not apply to everyone’s photographic interests or needs. It could be useful to you to search for opportunities through your local and statewide arts councils and college or university, too.
Happy grant-hunting!