Dan's Film Camera Repair Journey: 7 Years of Passion and Precision

In March 2023 I received an email introduction from one of our suppliers, recommending I speak to someone who was in the process of moving from Hong Kong to Edinburgh. Apparently this person - Dan Ho - is an avid analogue shooter and a highly talented camera repair person. Fast forward a year and Dan has established a strong reputation for quality repairs - he brought my Canon AE1 back to life! - and is ready to set up a more formal business.

We are delighted to support Dan in this endeavour - you can enquire about repairs directly through our site via this link: Film Camera Repairs. And now let's hear a bit more from Dan!

Dan - welcome! You’ve recently moved to the UK, where were you before and what were you doing?

Before moving to the UK, I was living in Hong Kong, where I was deeply involved in the film photography community, both as a photographer and a camera repair technician in a local film camera store called SHOWA, spending several years repairing vintage cameras and helping fellow analogue enthusiasts keep their film cameras in good shape.

It took my tools an extra year to arrive - thanks to a combination of strange shipping routes and extended custom delays - but we're now happily reunited.

You now live in Edinburgh. How do you rate the city as a home, and also as a photography spot?

Edinburgh is an incredible city with rich history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking landscapes. The vibrant culture and friendly community have made my transition here very smooth. While the ever-changing weather can be a bit challenging 🥺 it also provides endless opportunities for capturing great photos.

How long have you been repairing cameras?

I have been repairing film cameras for 7 years now. It started as a hobby and gradually turned into a full-time passion and profession. The classic path!

How did you learn to repair cameras?

I was lucky to start learning from a skilled technician in Hong Kong, which gave me a solid foundation. Overtime, I combined hands-on experience with self-study, reading service manuals, watching tutorials, and practising on my own collection.

However, the most crucial part of my learning process has been the hands-on experience. There is no shortcut or substitute for working on different cameras, and learning which models need what kind of care.

What is your favourite type of repair?

My favourite type of repair is working on mechanical film cameras from the mid-20th century. These cameras are well engineered and built, making them a joy to work on. There’s something incredibly satisfying about bringing these beautiful cameras back to life.

Every film camera has its own personality and beauty, making the process of restoring them to their former glory rewarding.

What is your least favourite?! Or are there any repairs that you would turn down?

My least favourite repairs involve film cameras that weren't designed with ease of maintenance in mind, particularly cheaply built plastic cameras and cameras with few adjustment points. While I rarely turn down a repair, in cases where the camera is beyond feasible restoration or where parts are completely unobtainable, I might have to decline.

I'm super excited about the Pentax 17 news - not only what it means for photographers having a new film camera to use - but also what it might mean for Pentax's analogue division and the support/spare parts they might be able to offer.

What have you noticed about the UK film camera community versus Hong Kong?

The UK film camera community is very passionate and engaged, with a strong sense of community and support among photographers. There’s a vibrant culture of collaboration, with lots of meetups, photowalks, and workshops. There are fantastic labs - including of course the WonderLab!

A traditional UK scene, shot on Adox Color Mission

In comparison, Hong Kong also has many passionate and talented photographers, but the community there feels more niche, possibly related to population and cultural differences.

What is your favourite camera in your personal collection?

No doubt, it is the Leica M3. Introduced in 1954, it's a precision instrument meticulously crafted with a fully mechanical rangefinder system. Its exceptional build quality provides incredible durability and a solid feel in hand. The bright, clear viewfinder makes focusing a pleasure.

As someone who loves street photography, the Leica M series has always been the top choice for street photographers. Its quiet shutter, compact, and low-profile design make it perfect for capturing decisive moments. It’s a uniquely satisfying experience using it!

Do you have a ‘dream’ camera that you’d love to own?

My dream camera is the Rolleiflex. Renowned for its iconic twin-lens reflex design and exceptional build quality. Its medium format capabilities produce stunningly detailed images with beautiful depth of field. The craftsmanship of the Rolleiflex makes it a joy to use, and its classic design has made it a favourite among photographers for generations.

Fan Ho, a legendary street photographer from Hong Kong, primarily used the Rolleiflex, which adds to its allure for me. Owning a Rolleiflex would be a dream come true for its blend of history, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.

What is your favourite film to shoot with and why?

My favourite film to shoot with is Kodak Tri-X 400. It offers wide exposure latitude, allowing me to shoot in various lighting conditions and recover highlights and shadows effectively.

Additionally, its ability to handle push processing enables me to achieve different grain sizes and contrast levels. Whether I'm shooting street photography, portraits, or landscapes, Tri-X 400 consistently delivers incredible images, making it my go-to choice!

What is your hope for your camera repair business?

I hope to build a trusted repair service in the UK that photographers can rely on, helping them keep their beloved cameras in top shape and fostering a love for film photography. I aim to expand my services and perhaps offer workshops to teach others about camera repair and maintenance.

I'm excited to bring my skills and passion for camera repair to the UK community. I look forward to building strong relationships with local photographers and contributing to the film photography community here. You can follow me on my Instagram @hh.dept. If anyone has a camera in need of some love, please don’t hesitate to reach out!