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

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/

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

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/