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<\/a>\t\t\tThe in-house repairer at the Camera Museum fixes a Hasselblad A12 film back<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n
Nixon describes these toys as, \u2018repositories of hugs, of fears, of hopes, of tears, of snots and smears\u2019. They are transitional objects that ease the path from childhood to adulthood. The pictures are both celebratory and bittersweet.<\/p>\n
Hranek, on the other hand, selected watches as his muse. In his book A Man and His Watch, he recounts stories behind much-loved timepieces, from the Omega JFK wore during his presidential inauguration to the Rolex Paul Newman received from his wife, Joanne Woodward, to mark their 25th wedding anniversary \u2013 the case bears the words \u2018Drive slowly\u2019, a reference to the motorbike accident he was involved in in 1965.<\/p>\n
All 76 watches in the book were photographed by Stephen Lewis who used his \u2018love of objects and life-long practice of observation\u2019 to reveal the most essential qualities of each one. To the author, the photographer and the people who own these watches they are more than just objects, they have been worn on the body, close to the heart.<\/p>\n\t\t
<\/a>\t\t\t\u00a9 camserve ltd<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n
If proof were needed that objects have a biographical history then consider the BBC TV series The Repair Shop for a moment. Week after week people show up with objects that are in need of serious TLC: a ceramic bowl in pieces, an airman\u2019s jacket with broken zips and weakened seams, a pump organ that hasn\u2019t made a sound for a generation.<\/p>\n
To anyone else these are just \u2018things\u2019, but to the people who know their stories they are hugely emotive. \u2018There are compelling stories attached to each item, which range from romantic and sentimental to downright terrifying,\u2019 says presenter Jay Blades.<\/p>\n
With each stitch, dab of glue or turn of a screwdriver the experts entrusted with their care fall a little bit in love with each object. Going forwards, they become part of the item\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
All of this got me thinking about McCullin and whether there were other cameras with biographical histories. To find out, I asked a selection of photographers and camera repairers to tell me about the cameras that have tugged at their heartstrings. First up is author and expert in photographic history John Wade.<\/p>\n\t\t
<\/a>\t\t\t\u00a9 camera museum<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n
\u2018Some years ago, while researching Wrayflex cameras, I managed to track down one of the old directors of the Wray company,\u2019 he recalls. \u2018Arthur Penwarden was 97 years old when we met and proved to have a lifetime of invaluable memories. After we\u2019d chatted for a while, he showed me the first Wrayflex camera, one of three pre-production prototypes.<\/p>\n
I saw immediately that it differed slightly from the production models and I wanted it. Unfortunately, it wasn\u2019t for sale because, he said, it held too many memories. I left him my business card and we parted company. Two years later, I received a phone call from Arthur\u2019s daughter.<\/p>\n
Arthur had passed away two months short of his 100th birthday and, among his goods, she had found a camera, wrapped up with my business card and a note to say it should be passed on to me. To the untrained eye, it looks like any other Wrayflex. To me, it\u2019s among the few cameras in my collection that I will never sell.\u2019<\/p>\n
Next, I spoke to Wes Davies from Camera Repair Direct. Davies has been repairing cameras for 24 years and has a particular love for the engineering of old 35mm models. \u2018We see a lot of cameras that have sentimental value,\u2019 he says. \u2018These items have often been passed down or given as a present, so I must admit that I try a little harder to get them going for our customers.<\/p>\n\t\t
<\/a>\t\t\tA pre-production model of the Wrayflex I, probably the oldest Wrayflex still in existence<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n
One of our customers, who recently passed away, used to bring his cameras in for a yearly service and show me the pictures he had taken from around the world. He had some great shots, and you could see how much he cared for his equipment \u2013 it was like an extension of his soul. I love to travel but I don\u2019t get much chance these days, so I enjoy looking at pictures and hearing such stories.\u2019<\/p>\n
Davies is not the only one who enjoys working on analogue equipment. Philip Sendean from Sendean Cameras has a soft spot for Contax 645 cameras and the Braun Nizo 801 Super 8 Cine Camera. \u2018The Nizo 801 is well engineered and was ahead of its time,\u2019 he enthuses. \u2018It should outlast its rivals.\u2019<\/p>\n
Sendean has heard many stories over the years and is keen to tell me about a Canon EOS 5D that crossed his path. \u2018It was used for filming a documentary about walking with elephants and following their journey,\u2019 he explains.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Adrian Tang from the Camera Museum loves to get his hands on cameras from the Hasselblad V-series. \u2018It\u2019s always rewarding to keep such iconic models fully working and in good health,\u2019 he says. \u2018Once a customer brought in a Hasselblad V-series camera with a lot of sand inside and we had to dismantle and clean every part.<\/p>\n\t\t
<\/a>\t\t\t\u00a9 camera museum<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n
It was time consuming (and very expensive!) but both parties were happy in the end.\u2019 Tang believes that almost anything can be repaired, but not everything is worth the time and money it takes. Like Tang, Steve Smart from Camserve Ltd loves to work on well-designed and manufactured models.<\/p>\n
\u2018All manufacturers tend to make the odd \u201clemon\u201d from time to time, but in general Canon, Hasselblad, Leica, Nikon and Rollei all make items that are serviceable for years,\u2019 he suggests. Smart is often told about cameras that have come to a sticky end. \u2018One guy left his Canon EOS 5D Mark III and zoom lens on the roof of his car and didn\u2019t realise until he\u2019d finished his journey,\u2019 he remembers.<\/p>\n
\u2018When he retraced his steps, he found what was left of it \u2013 it had been run over several times. Another chap suffered a heavy nosebleed at the precise moment he was cleaning his sensor, so it ended up covered in blood.\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t
<\/a>\t\t\tA Leica M6 with its covers removed for adjustment and cleaning at Camserve Ltd<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n
Finally, I made contact with neuropsychologist (and former photojournalist) Dr David Lewis-Hodgson who told me about his beloved Nikon F. \u2018This camera \u201cserved\u201d with me throughout the conflict in Belfast (1969-75). It has been attached to the tailplane of a Tiger Moth, smashed (but repaired) by a Lightning fighter making an emergency landing in a gravel pit arrester and drowned in 40ft of sea water when the underwater casing flooded.<\/p>\n
Despite being half-a-century old, it still works fine!\u2019 Going back to McCullin, I can see why his particular Nikon F attracts so much attention. This camera has been a witness to atrocities that, thankfully, few of us have had to endure. It has served as both a physical and mental buffer for the photographer over the years.<\/p>\n
The scars it bears can be interpreted as his own: every scratch, dent and graze tells its own story. Just like McCullin, this camera has a personal biography and its past, present and future have been shaped by war. The objects we share our lives with \u2013 from teddy bears to watches and cameras \u2013 might not have a voice, but for those who know the source of their scars they do speak.<\/p>\n\t\t
<\/a>\t\t\tA Nikkor 18-70mm f\/3.5-4.5 ED DX lens awaits some\u00a0TLC at Camserve Ltd<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n
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Camera repair shops<\/h2>\n
A small selection of the camera repair services offered in the UK<\/p>\n
Aperture UK<\/h3>\n
www.apertureuk.com<\/a><\/p>\n In-house repair service for film cameras and lenses, specialising in repairs to all mechanical cameras, but especially Leica, Hasselblad, Rollei and Nikon.<\/p>\n What is your favourite camera to repair?<\/p>\n \u2018Nikon, Hasselblad and Leica, but especially the Nikon F2.\u2019 Kriton Krimitsos (camera technician)<\/p>\n www.cameramuseum.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Camera shop, gallery, coffee shop and in-house repair service, specialising in analogue Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, Leica, Nikon (and other similar models).<\/p>\n How do you approach a repair job? \u2018It\u2019s a bit like surgery: first you need to identify the problem and then you need to work out what parts you need to fix it!\u2019 Adrian Tang (co-founder)<\/p>\n www.theclassiccamera.com<\/a><\/p>\n Rangefinder and mirrorless camera specialists offering repair options for mechanical cameras, lenses and optical devices, plus digital repairs through individual manufacturers.<\/p>\n www.camerarepairdirect.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n In-house repair service, specialising in digital cameras, SLRs, compacts and lenses.<\/p>\n What can\u2019t be repaired? \u2018Liquid damage can be fatal. Cameras can often be brought back to life, but they can experience issues later down the line because liquid gets everywhere.\u2019 Wes Davies (owner)<\/p>\n www.camserve.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Camera service and repair centre (90% of work carried out in-house) handling everything from analogue to digital, lenses and flash.<\/p>\n Are there repairs that people shouldn\u2019t attempt at home? \u2018We see quite a lot of cameras and lenses in pieces because customers have taken them apart and can\u2019t put them back together again. The rise in \u201chow-to\u201d videos is partly to blame \u2013 some suggestions are plain wrong!\u2019 Steve Smart (director and owner).<\/p>\n [Most digital cameras can also give you a nasty electric shock if not handled correctly.]<\/p>\n www.fixationuk.com<\/a><\/p>\n In-house repair service for DSLR and mirrorless digital camera systems. Also has a professional lens repair workshop and lighting repair centre.<\/p>\nCamera Museum<\/h3>\n
The Classic Camera<\/h3>\n
Camera Repair Direct<\/h3>\n
Camserve Ltd<\/h3>\n
Fixation<\/h3>\n
Sendean Cameras<\/h3>\n