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, 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 another SLR he had, and tried restoring it, too. I ruined that one.
Despite the split success, the adventure in camera repair had begun. In the following months, I bought cheap cameras (“broken,” as advertised), repaired, and sold them. People I met asked if I offered repair services for others. My replies were always dismissive; I just couldn't imagine a demand for it.
When
When Covid hit in 2020, I dove even deeper into camera repair and carried on. I read a dozen books on camera maintenance. I found troves of repair resources. I worked on 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 began slowly began to inquire. The first weeks and months brought a small number of monthly requests, which eventually became a few per week. Today, my slate fills up for weeks in a matter of hours. I repair hundreds of cameras a year and help about 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 to close intake when I become overwhelmed.
Despite the business name, there is no factory. There isn't even a kiosk. I can't afford one. I'm just 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 only 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