Service

- Classic Camera Repair *

- Digital Camera Repair - 

- DSLR Sensor Cleaning **

- Camcorder Repair - 

- Video Projector Service *** 

- Vintage Turntable Repair - 

- Vintage Film Projector Repair - 

- Photographic Lens Repair -

- Optical Equipment Service - 

Many, but not all manufacturers have discontinued selling repair parts directly to customers as well as to independent repair shops. However, if not made available directly from the manufacture, original repair parts can generally still be obtained through other sources. New, factory refurbished, and/or recycled parts may be used to complete estimated repairs. 

The availability of replacement parts can significantly delay estimated repair times.  Parts are not ordered individually unless specifically requested and prepaid to include shipping and handling costs. Contact Phototronic for a free estimate.

**Repair cost estimates - No Charge

Evaluations for insurance claims - $60

Minimum repair charge - $80 

Minimum repair charge only applies if repair can be completed, otherwise a free estimate will apply and there are no charges if the additional repair estimated cost are not approved. 

  **Exception to free estimates - If there is extensive moisture or impact damage that needs to be evaluated or a customer attempts to unsuccessfully repair the camera in question an evaluation fee of $60 may apply if camera is not subsequently approved for repair.

           Please note:  Evaluation times and basic repairs remain under the 5 to 7 day time frame. However, due to a heavy work load and aggravating part delays turn around on major repairs might run 6 to 12 weeks. 

Unlike most repair shops that process repairs in a chronological order, at Phototronic equipment is repaired on an as needed basis, thus avoiding completed  equipment sitting on the shelf waiting to be picked up, while needed equipment goes un-repaired. Equipment is repaired in the order of correspondence rather than the order of registration. Therefore, it is vitally important for a timely repair completion that the customer maintain contact with Phototronic as to the status of the repair process. 

In the event additional repairs are necessary to bring the equipment to good working order, a revised estimate will be made available for consideration.

A short disclaimer - Although care will be taken... Phototronic will not be responsible for images, film, tape or memory cards purposely or inadvertently left with equipment.

* A note on Classic Cameras
The cost of repairing a Classic or Vintage Camera can occasionally exceed the actual monetary value of the camera. Every vintage camera has a back story and that intrinsic value will often be the deciding factor when considering the cost of repair.  Restoration of a classic camera is often not practical and rarely an actual restoration, as the OEM parts are no longer available and costly replicas of exterior cosmetic parts are often needed to complete the "look" of a camera fresh off the factory shelf.  Although many classic cameras are an elegant blend of design and function and are beautiful to look at, they are still, after all, tools meant to be taken off the shelf and pressed into service. Our goal is to get that old camera back into the service it was designed for at a reasonable cost. Of course "reasonable cost" is open to interpretation so free estimates are available.

 ** A note on Sensor (by-pass filter) Cleaning

Please Note:  By submitting your camera for sensor cleaning, you acknowledge that the camera already has specks or marks that are showing up on the images produced by your camera. If you tried to clean the image sensor surface yourself and now there are lines and swirls in addition to the specs then it is possible that cleaning will not correct this issue.  The surface of the image sensor may have been damaged. This possibility can be confirmed upon close magnified inspection of the sensor. Some streaking could be from cleaning fluids that did not evaporate off completely, or from residue that is not completely removed. These maladies can be corrected with additional cleaning. However, actual surface damage is permanent and can not be corrected with cleaning. 

I am simply offering my experience and expertise to you in an attempt to help you reduce the specks of dust or streaking that are now appearing as spots on the images produced by your camera. However, Phototronic is not responsible for any damage, consequential or incidental, that is discovered upon close inspection of your camera’s sensor or sensor by-pass filter once the cleaning procedure is initiated. Issues with your camera’s sensor beyond dust specs or light smudges probably cannot be corrected by the cleaning procedure.  Your camera may not be a candidate for sensor cleaning for reasons including, but not limited to: scratches and smudges on the sensor surface (from other previous cleanings or other events that have damaged it) smears due to oil migration, damage due to dropping, water or fluid damage, sand and grit damage, along with other unlisted possible causes of sensor damage. At that point an estimate of replacement can be given if so requested. 

One more note - sensor cleaning as a matter of preventive maintenance is ineffective and unnecessary. If you are not experiencing noticeable spots on the images produced then there is no reason to go to the expense of a sensor cleaning. 

Sensor Contaminants 

At least four common types of contaminants might be identified as possible image sensor trash: metallic (from a metal lens mount or bayonet friction, fiber (particles of lens cleaning tissue or cloth), organic (dust which is the most common and prevalent and the least problematic)  and maybe silica or glass particles (possibly from the manufacturing process). These types of particles will contaminant the camera chamber and the surface of the sensor by-pass filter. On rare occasions the contaminants can show up behind the by-pass filter and create a much more complex issue. Dry loose particles may statically adhere, while wet particles can chemically bond to the sensor. Contaminants come from changing lenses, dusty/humid environments, and from inside the camera housing. 

** A  note on Firmware Updates

I do not offer firmware update services due to the transitory nature and the myriad of processes and USB Docks needed for individual firmware updates to lenses and cameras. It is a process that is typically outlined for the camera users on each of the manufacture's websites.

** A  note on Video Projectors

 Video projectors can be cleaned as a means of preventing some possible repair issues. Scheduled preventive maintenance and cleaning can be performed on video projectors at a reasonable rate and is usually cost effective. Clogged cooling channels, burnt polarizing plates, broken or seized fans, and overheated components are often the result of ignoring general cleaning maintenance  and can lead to very costly repairs.  Also, in many cases replacement parts may have been discontinued or are not available.