November 23, 2021
The objects with which we share our lives can have rich histories that reflect our own. Tracy Calder has asked photographers and repairers about the camera equipment they care about
In 1970 Don McCullin was in the rice fields of Prey Veng with a train of Cambodian soldiers when the Khmer Rouge opened fire. McCullin threw his camera (a Nikon F) onto a nearby ridge and threw himself into the water, his head almost under the water. When he fetched his camera a few moments later, it had the imprint of a bullet from an AK-47.
The photographer found this intoxicating, as he explains in his autobiography Unreasonable Behavior. ‘I thought, boy, you did it again,’ he admits, ‘you got away with it.’ Almost 50 years later, this battle-scarred Nikon was a central exhibit in an exhibit of McCullin’s work at Tate Britain.
I have long believed that objects have a biographical history that can sometimes be read by their appearance. Just as we are inevitably shaped, shaped and changed by our experiences, so are the objects with which we share our lives. “Every thing has its story, because every person has their own biography,” says historian Asa Briggs.
Two people who are obviously similar are photographer Mark Nixon and writer (and photographer) Matthew Hranek. Nixon’s book Much Loved is my favorite book. It shows portraits of stuffed animals that have been cuddled, squeezed and petted until they were literally loved down to the smallest detail.
The in-house repair shop in the camera museum repairs a Hasselblad A12 film back
Nixon describes these toys as “stores of hugs, fears, hopes, tears, snot and smears”. They are transitional objects that facilitate the path from childhood to adulthood. The pictures are solemn and bittersweet at the same time.
Hranek, on the other hand, chose watches as his muse. In his book A Man and His Watch, he tells the stories behind popular timepieces, from the Omega that JFK wore when he was inaugurated to the Rolex that Paul Newman received from his wife Joanne Woodward on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary – the case wears the words “drive slowly”, a reference to the motorcycle accident in which he was involved in 1965.
All 76 clocks in the book were photographed by Stephen Lewis, who used his “love of objects and lifelong observational practice” to reveal the most important characteristics of each one. For the author, the photographer and the owner of these watches, they are more than just objects, they were worn on the body, worn on the heart.
© camserve ltd
If proof is needed that objects have a biographical history, then consider for a moment the BBC television series The Repair Shop. Week after week people turn up with items that need serious care: a broken ceramic bowl, a flight jacket with broken zippers and weakened seams, a pumping organ that has been silent for a generation.
For everyone else, these are just ‘things’, but for the people who know their stories, they are very emotional. “Each article is linked to compelling stories that range from romantic and sentimental to downright terrifying,” says host Jay Blades.
With every stitch, swab of glue or screwdriver, the experts entrusted with their care fall a little in love with every object. In the future, they will become part of the story of the article.
All of this made me wonder about McCullin and whether there were any other cameras with biographical stories. To find out, I asked a selection of photographers and camera repairers to tell me about the cameras that tore at their hearts. First up is the author and photo history expert John Wade.
© Camera Museum
“A few years ago, while researching Wrayflex cameras, I managed to locate one of the old directors at Wray,” he recalls. “Arthur Penwarden was 97 years old when we met and he has proven that he has priceless memories for a lifetime. After we talked for a while, he showed me the first Wrayflex camera, one of three pre-production prototypes.
I immediately saw that it was slightly different from the production models and I wanted to have it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for sale because, he said, it hides too many memories. I left him my business card and we broke up. Two years later I received a call from Arthur’s daughter.
Arthur had died two months before his 100th birthday and she had found a camera among his belongings, wrapped with my business card and a slip of paper telling me to give it to me. To the untrained eye, it looks like any other Wrayflex. For me it is one of the few cameras in my collection that I will never sell. “
Next, I spoke to Wes Davies at Camera Repair Direct. Davies has been repairing cameras for 24 years and has a particular fondness for the technology of old 35mm models. “We see a lot of cameras that have sentimental value,” he says. “These items were often bequeathed or given away, so I have to admit that I put a little more effort into making them work for our customers.
A pre-production model of the Wrayflex I, possibly the oldest Wrayflex still in existence
One of our customers who recently passed away brought his cameras for an annual service and showed me the pictures he had taken from around the world. He had some great shots and you could see how much he took care of his gear – it was like an extension of his soul. I love to travel, but I don’t have a lot of opportunities these days so I like to look at pictures and hear stories like that. ‘
Davies isn’t the only one who enjoys working on analog equipment. Philip Sendean from Sendean Cameras has a soft spot for Contax 645 cameras and the Braun Nizo 801 Super 8 Cine Camera. “The Nizo 801 is mature and ahead of its time,” he enthuses. “It should outlast its rivals.”
Sendean has heard many stories over the years and would like to tell me about a Canon EOS 5D that crossed its path. “It was used to make a documentary about walking elephants and tracking their journey,” he explains.
Adrian Tang from the Camera Museum loves getting his hands on Hasselblad V-series cameras. “It is always worthwhile to keep such iconic models fully functional and in good health,” he says. “One time a customer brought in a Hasselblad V-series camera with a lot of sand and we had to disassemble and clean every part.
© Camera Museum
It was time consuming (and very expensive!) But in the end both parties were happy. ‘ Tang believes almost anything can be fixed, but not all is worth the time and money. Like Tang, Steve Smart at Camserve Ltd loves working on well-designed and manufactured models.
“All manufacturers tend to make a ‘lemon’ or two from time to time, but in general Canon, Hasselblad, Leica, Nikon and Rollei all make items that will last for years,” he suggests. Smart is often told of cameras that have come to a sticky end. “One of them left his Canon EOS 5D Mark III and zoom lens on the roof of his car and didn’t notice it until he’d finished his trip,” he recalls.
“When he retraced his steps, he found what was left of it – it had been run over several times. Another guy had a profuse nosebleed just as he was cleaning his sensor, so he was covered in blood. ‘
A Leica M6 with covers removed for adjustment and cleaning at Camserve Ltd
Eventually I got in touch with neuropsychologist (and former photojournalist) Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson who told me about his beloved Nikon F. “This camera“ served ”me during the conflict in Belfast (1969-75). It was attached to the horizontal stabilizer of a Tiger Moth, smashed (but repaired) by a Lightning fighter who made an emergency landing in a gravel pit trap and drowned in 12 m of seawater when the underwater housing was flooded.
Even though it’s half a century old, it still works well! ‘ When I return to McCullin I can see why his special Nikon F is drawing so much attention. This camera witnessed atrocities that fortunately few of us have endured. It has served the photographer as both a physical and a mental buffer over the years.
The scars it bears can be interpreted as its own: every scratch, dent and scratch tells its own story. Just like McCullin, this camera has a personal biography and its past, present and future are shaped by war. The items we share our lives with – from teddy bears to watches and cameras – may not have a voice, but for those who know the source of their scars, they speak.
A Nikkor 18-70mm f / 3.5-4.5 ED DX lens awaits some TLC at Camserve Ltd
Camera repair shops
A small selection of the camera repair services available in the UK
Cover UK
www.apertureuk.com
In-house repair service for film cameras and lenses, specializing in repairs to all mechanical cameras, but especially Leica, Hasselblad, Rollei and Nikon.
What is your favorite camera to repair?
‘Nikon, Hasselblad and Leica, but above all the Nikon F2.’ Kriton Krimitsos (camera technician)
Camera museum
www.kameramuseum.uk
Camera shop, gallery, café and in-house repair service specializing in analog Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, Leica, Nikon (and similar models).
How do you approach a repair order? “It’s a bit like an operation: first you have to identify the problem and then find out what parts you need to fix it!” Adrian Tang (co-founder)
The classic camera
www.theclassiccamera.com
Specialists in rangefinders and mirrorless cameras offer repair options for mechanical cameras, lenses and optical devices as well as digital repairs by individual manufacturers.
Camera repairs directly
www.camerarepairdirect.co.uk
In-house repair service specializing in digital cameras, SLR cameras, compact cameras and lenses.
What cannot be fixed? “Fluid damage can be fatal. Cameras can often be brought back to life, but problems can arise later as liquid goes everywhere. ‘ Wes Davies (owner)
Camserve Ltd
www.camserve.co.uk
Camera service and repair center (90% of the work is carried out in-house) for everything from analog to digital, lenses and flash.
Are there repairs that should not be attempted at home? “We see a lot of cameras and lenses in pieces because customers have taken them apart and cannot reassemble them. The increase in how-to videos is partly responsible – some suggestions are simply wrong! ‘ Steve Smart (director and owner).
[Most digital cameras can also give you a nasty electric shock if not handled correctly.]
Fixation
www.fixationuk.com
In-house repair service for DSLR and mirrorless digital camera systems. Also has a professional lens repair shop and lighting repair center.
Send to cameras
www.sendeancameras.co.uk
Camera repair and equipment rental service, handling of analog and digital equipment (all technicians work in-house).
What are the most demanding repair jobs? “Some older electronic cameras are difficult because spares are no longer available and we have to develop methods and make parts (sometimes using 3D printing) to keep them going.” Philip Sendean (Director)
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