Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All estimates are free and are done in person by Mike at the workbench. We do not provide estimates by phone or online.

Many problems can be identified fairly quickly, but more complex issues may require additional diagnostic time. Timing also depends on the current shop workload, so an estimate may not always be completed while you wait. If extensive diagnostics are needed beyond the free estimate, Mike will discuss that with you before any charge is incurred.

Camera repair is not guesswork. A single symptom can have multiple causes. Without seeing the camera, any number given would be a guess. Accurate estimates require in-person inspection.

No appointment is required. Bring your camera or lens during business hours for evaluation.

Each estimate begins with a hands-on inspection and functional testing as needed to understand the problem and determine whether repair makes sense. Most problems can be identified fairly quickly, but some cameras require more involved diagnostics. If diagnostics become extensive enough that a charge would be necessary, Mike will discuss that with you before proceeding.

No. You receive the information needed to decide how to proceed.

Yes. That is part of the evaluation. Mike considers the condition of the equipment, what the repair requires, parts availability, and whether the amount of work makes mechanical and economic sense. If he does not think the repair is worthwhile, he will tell you why.

Repair cost depends on the camera or lens, the actual problem, the work required, and whether parts are needed and available. Mike needs to inspect the equipment in person before giving a repair price. Estimates are free, and there is no obligation to proceed.

All repairs are performed in-house by Mike. Camera Tech is a single-technician repair shop, so the person evaluating your camera or lens is also the person doing the repair.

There is no standard turnaround time. Some repairs are straightforward, while others can take weeks or sometimes months depending on the complexity of the work, Mike's current workload, and parts availability. Mike will give you the most realistic timing he can after evaluating the equipment, but that timeline can change if additional problems are discovered or parts are delayed.

No. Repairability depends on the camera's condition, the work required, previous damage or repair attempts, and whether the necessary parts can still be sourced. Sometimes a repair is technically possible but does not make economic sense. If a camera cannot or should not be repaired, Mike will explain why.

Rush service cannot be guaranteed. If you need your camera or lens for a trip, wedding, paid job, or another firm date, tell Mike when you bring it in. He will let you know whether the timing is realistic based on the repair, his current workload, and parts availability.

Let Mike know what was done and bring any parts that were removed. Previous disassembly or repair does not automatically make equipment unrepairable, but missing screws, damaged hardware, oil or other residue, changed adjustments, or incorrectly installed parts can make diagnosis and repair more involved.

If additional time or work is required because of previous repair attempts, additional charges may apply. Mike will explain that before any extra work is performed.

If the equipment has not been opened yet, having Mike evaluate it first usually gives you a clearer idea of what it actually needs—and may save some unnecessary work and expense.

If a repair requires a part that cannot be sourced, Mike will tell you. This is more common with older or discontinued equipment and can determine whether an otherwise repairable camera or lens can be completed. If you locate a hard-to-find part yourself, Mike can give you an honest opinion about whether using it makes sense before you spend the money.

Camera Tech commonly services Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Minolta, Pentax, Olympus, Leica, Yashica, Konica, Ricoh, Rollei, and Voigtländer cameras and lenses. Other brands may also be serviceable depending on the model, condition, and parts availability. Bring it in and Mike will take a look.

Yes. Camera Tech services both digital and film cameras, including professional and enthusiast equipment as well as older and vintage cameras. What can be repaired depends on the model, condition, and availability of parts.

Yes. Camera Tech repairs both manual and autofocus lenses when the equipment is serviceable. Lens problems can involve focus, aperture, zoom, mounts, mechanical components, or electronics, so Mike evaluates the lens in person before recommending work.

Yes. Older, vintage, and collectible cameras are a regular part of the work at Camera Tech. Age alone does not determine whether a camera can be repaired; its mechanical condition, previous damage, and parts availability matter more.

Possibly. The website lists the equipment and services Camera Tech sees most often, but it is not an exhaustive list. Bring the equipment in for a free, in-person evaluation and Mike will tell you what is possible.

Camera Tech is a camera and lens repair shop, not a retail camera store or volume service center. Equipment is evaluated and repaired in-house by Mike.

Yes. CLA stands for Clean, Lube, and Adjust and is used when a camera needs appropriate cleaning, lubrication, adjustment, and maintenance. A CLA is not a cure for every failure, so Mike evaluates the camera first to determine whether it needs a CLA, a specific repair, calibration, or a combination of work.

Yes, when the damage is repairable. Battery corrosion can affect more than the visible contacts, so Mike evaluates how far the damage has spread and whether affected components can be cleaned, repaired, or replaced. Severe corrosion or unavailable parts can sometimes make repair impractical.

Yes, when the equipment is serviceable. Mike can test shutter timing and light meter operation and determine whether calibration, adjustment, repair, or additional service is needed. A shutter that fires or a meter that responds is not necessarily operating accurately.

Yes. Camera Tech provides image sensor cleaning. Mike evaluates the camera first to determine whether the issue is actually sensor contamination or another problem affecting the image.

A repair addresses a specific problem or failure. A CLA—Clean, Lube, and Adjust—is maintenance intended to clean, lubricate, and adjust appropriate mechanisms. Sometimes a camera needs one or the other; sometimes it needs both. Mike evaluates the equipment first rather than assuming a CLA will correct every problem.

Payment is due in full at pickup after the repair is completed.

We accept cash or Zelle.

No. Payment is cash or Zelle only.

Please bring only the camera or lens being evaluated. Straps, bags, cases, and unrelated accessories should stay with you unless Mike specifically asks you to bring something needed for testing.

No. Camera Tech does not require a deposit. Payment is due in full at pickup after the repair is completed. Accepted payment methods are cash or Zelle.

Repairs are warranted on the specific work performed, case by case. New damage, drops, or unrelated failures are not covered by the original repair.

Camera Tech is located at 1940 N Tustin St, Suite 114, Orange, CA 92865. The shop moved from Anaheim to Orange in 2025 after 47 years in Anaheim.

Monday–Friday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Camera Tech was located in Anaheim from 1978 until 2025. The shop is now located in Orange, California, at 1940 N Tustin St, Suite 114. It is the same Camera Tech, with Mike continuing to evaluate and perform repairs in-house.