Camera and video equipment repair: offers from technicians
Cameras do not forgive a quick amateur fix
A DSLR or mirrorless camera has a shutter, a mirror, a sensor, an aperture mechanism and stabilisation. A lens is a separate piece of delicate optics and mechanics. So the repair needs a technician who actually works with this, not a general “electronics repairman”. If the camera is expensive, your choice of technician affects both the price and whether the camera stays in working order.
Quote an error shown on the screen (for example, Err 20 on a Canon) word for word. From the code and the model, an experienced technician already knows which part to look at.
How to get offers
On BlaBlaPrice you write one request, and technicians and service centres reply in the chat. You can add a photo, for example of a damaged lens mount or the screen with the error. The request is checked before it is shown, and you get hints on what the technicians still need.
The offers show the price, or what it depends on, plus time and warranty. Providers can see where they stand among the others, so they often improve their terms. The platform shows the offer that is best on substance first, and reviews help you decide who to trust with a complex camera. If you live far from the service centre, you can agree on sending it by courier. Contacts are opened only to the provider you choose. More in how it works.
What to put in your request
- What the equipment is — DSLR, mirrorless, compact, camcorder, a separate lens or flash.
- The model — for example, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV; the brand alone is not enough.
- The fault — an error, the shutter does not fire, spots on photos, no focus, will not switch on.
- The cause — a fall, moisture, dust, age, after a cleaning.
- Spare parts — original only or compatible.
- How to hand it over — you bring it, a technician visits, or courier.
- Time, warranty, city and budget.
Example: “Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, the shutter does not fire after a fall, and the screen shows Err 20. I will send it by courier from Sydney. I need original parts, a deadline of two weeks and a 3-month warranty. Budget up to $200.”
What to check when comparing replies
Diagnosis: is it free or paid, and is its cost included in the repair? Is there a limit on the amount, above which the technician must ask you first? Do they test the camera after the repair: autofocus, exposure accuracy, no dust spots on the sensor?
For a lens, ask about a calibration check and whether there are test shots. For an old film camera, find out whether the technician has experience with such models and where they get the parts.
Common mistakes
Handing over the camera with the memory card and battery for no reason. Not recording the accessories and visible scratches before sending it. Agreeing to a repair that costs close to a similar second-hand camera without weighing the options. Taking the lens apart yourself, after which the calibration is almost always off.
If the laptop you use to edit photos also needs fixing, see computer repair, and for a phone, phone and smartphone repair. The whole section is repair and servicing of appliances and electronics.
