About

People regularly ask how I got started in camera restoration. Sometimes they ask out of plain interest; other times, out of concern for their cameras. Either way, here's some history behind Factory Cameras and how I work.  ↓ 

 

Who

I'm Kevin. I'm a lifelong, semi-professional photographer. I have backgrounds in multiple fields including journalism, where I got formal photography and darkroom training. 

Today, I shoot both digital and film, and I work primarily on personal photography projects—when I have the time. 

What

After a long break from working with film in the 2000s, I took a risk in trying to restore my late father’s Olympus OM-1—the same camera he taught me to use when I was a kid in the ‘70s—so I could shoot film again. It was daunting, but with persistence I did it. Then I tried restoring a second one he’d owned. I ruined that one. 

Despite the split success, my foray into camera repair had begun. In the following months, I bought cheap cameras (“broken,” as advertised), repaired, and sold them. People who bought them asked if I also offered repair services. My replies were always dismissive—I just couldn't imagine a demand for it. 

When

After Covid hit in 2020, I dove even deeper into camera repair and just carried on. I read a dozen books on camera maintenance. I found troves of repair resources. I worked on dozens and dozens of cameras. 

Eventually, though, I became curious about the viability of offering restoration services. I created a website, stole the name of a business I owned years earlier, and launched the business on a whim. 

It started quietly, but people started inquiring. The first weeks and months brought a small number of requests, which slowly became a few per week. Today, my work slate fills up in a matter of hours. I repair hundreds of cameras a year, and help as many photographers. 

How 

I have no accreditation, just years of experience. 

While the work makes me happy, it's also frustrating because, by nature, it's slow work. That means I can't always return people’s cameras as quickly as I’d like. I work at a measured pace to ensure it's done to the highest possible standard. 

Sometimes, it takes weeks to work through my backlogs. And there are people I miss out helping because I have turn them away when I get overwhelmed. 

Despite the business name, there is no factory. There isn't even a kiosk. I just can't afford one. I'm one guy in a very well-equipped attic who loves cameras, photography, and helping people.

I have an Instagram account with a meagre following, but it's really just a reference for people to see some of the cameras I've worked on. It represents a small percentage of the repairs and restorations I've done. 

I meet my clients by appointment on Commercial Drive in East Vancouver. 

I hope I can help you. Please get in touch if you have questions. Or just to say "Hello." I always enjoy that. 

Best,
Kevin