I hope that my critique of other repair videos out there does not come across as being mean - as that is not the intention. My advice from back in the day was terrible compared to what I put out now. I've spent a long time learning the hard way what should and shouldn't be done to service one of these cameras correctly, and I try and help others learn from my experiences. My mission with the end portion of the video is to highlight how much content still exists online that seems to suggest you can slap a new skin on one of these things, call it a day and sell the camera for an elevated price. Just last month, I was reading posts on Reddit suggesting that using an un-refurbished camera with a loose mirror was "fine" because "you can just get it fixed when it breaks". (conveniently neglecting the potential for fresnel/bellows damage if the mirror DOES fail) Re-skinning a camera without refurbishing the internals first is a waste of time, and often a waste of leather when the panel needs to be removed again in the future.
Beautiful work! This was everything I was hoping for and more-both the overhaul and the video itself. Inb4 the “name and shame” comments - I think most people can rest assured that they’re not going to be coming across this guy. He’s definitely not one of the big names in the community, and he’s local to Korea. But yeah, don’t bother DMing me asking who this guy was. I won’t be disclosing his identity because that doesn’t seem to be something that this channel is about, I have no intentions of starting a witch hunt, and Korea also has some crazy defamation laws that could actually open me up to liability. If you happen to be in Korea, just send your camera to Jake. It’s less than 50,000 KRW for shipping, and the Australian dollar is doing just as badly as Korean won. So yeah, get your shit overhauled, people. Even though I bought my camera “refurbished,” I knew from the start I wanted to send my camera in to a more transparent third party. Let’s just say that the cost of a piece of shit refurb + a comprehensive overhaul is still significantly cheaper than buying from a boutique, while also having the peace of mind of seeing my exact camera laid out in front of me. Best of both worlds. In any case, Jake has been wonderful to work with. We’ve been corresponding since July, and he’s been upfront, transparent, and great with prompt communication. 10/10 would send him another nightmare to deal with.
Truth is spoken here. There is a BIG difference between a ‘yt technician’ and a REAL experienced Technician. It’s called craftsmanship. Not to many of us left out there in 2024 in this throw-away industry society… but my oh my… the army of ‘tiktok techs’ … yeah…😐
@ I believe it’s a sign of the times we live in. 60’s… 70’s … all thoughout the 80’s there were these documents called ‘repair manuals’ all with their individual component order codes, exploded views, trouble shoots, schematics… you name it : with an army of REAL craftsman techs to back it all up. In every town, village, city you had multiple or at least one. Nowadays : not so much, let’s face it. All we can do is stand our ground and keep going 😊
Perhaps it is time to retire the Sx70 if you are the only one that does proper service and SX 70 film no longer available. . The Lomo Wide Instax with Glass lens looks like a viable alternative.
I hope that my critique of other repair videos out there does not come across as being mean - as that is not the intention. My advice from back in the day was terrible compared to what I put out now. I've spent a long time learning the hard way what should and shouldn't be done to service one of these cameras correctly, and I try and help others learn from my experiences.
My mission with the end portion of the video is to highlight how much content still exists online that seems to suggest you can slap a new skin on one of these things, call it a day and sell the camera for an elevated price. Just last month, I was reading posts on Reddit suggesting that using an un-refurbished camera with a loose mirror was "fine" because "you can just get it fixed when it breaks". (conveniently neglecting the potential for fresnel/bellows damage if the mirror DOES fail)
Re-skinning a camera without refurbishing the internals first is a waste of time, and often a waste of leather when the panel needs to be removed again in the future.
Beautiful work! This was everything I was hoping for and more-both the overhaul and the video itself.
Inb4 the “name and shame” comments - I think most people can rest assured that they’re not going to be coming across this guy. He’s definitely not one of the big names in the community, and he’s local to Korea. But yeah, don’t bother DMing me asking who this guy was. I won’t be disclosing his identity because that doesn’t seem to be something that this channel is about, I have no intentions of starting a witch hunt, and Korea also has some crazy defamation laws that could actually open me up to liability.
If you happen to be in Korea, just send your camera to Jake. It’s less than 50,000 KRW for shipping, and the Australian dollar is doing just as badly as Korean won.
So yeah, get your shit overhauled, people. Even though I bought my camera “refurbished,” I knew from the start I wanted to send my camera in to a more transparent third party. Let’s just say that the cost of a piece of shit refurb + a comprehensive overhaul is still significantly cheaper than buying from a boutique, while also having the peace of mind of seeing my exact camera laid out in front of me. Best of both worlds.
In any case, Jake has been wonderful to work with. We’ve been corresponding since July, and he’s been upfront, transparent, and great with prompt communication. 10/10 would send him another nightmare to deal with.
It’s crazy how people never put any effort into actually fixing things ☹️
Truth is spoken here. There is a BIG difference between a ‘yt technician’ and a REAL experienced Technician. It’s called craftsmanship. Not to many of us left out there in 2024 in this throw-away industry society… but my oh my… the army of ‘tiktok techs’ … yeah…😐
oh man... I dont even wanna know
I don't use Tik Tok... and the thought of all the cringe videos that are out there scares me
@ I believe it’s a sign of the times we live in. 60’s… 70’s … all thoughout the 80’s there were these documents called ‘repair manuals’ all with their individual component order codes, exploded views, trouble shoots, schematics… you name it : with an army of REAL craftsman techs to back it all up. In every town, village, city you had multiple or at least one. Nowadays : not so much, let’s face it. All we can do is stand our ground and keep going 😊
Perhaps it is time to retire the Sx70 if you are the only one that does proper service and SX 70 film no longer available. . The Lomo Wide Instax with Glass lens looks like a viable alternative.
We need T-shirts hahaha
What should my merch say 🤔
You already nailed the catchphrase Overhaul Or Not At All
With a polaroid of the SLR folding cameras 😁