Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers

Career summary

Repairers may work on the following types of cameras:

• Stills
• Video
• Movie
• TV

They also work on lenses, projectors, light meters, and a variety of less common photo equipment.

Repairers review the service order to find out what is wrong. They may refer to diagrams or other instructions provided by the manufacturer. They also inspect the item to find the damage or take it apart to look for broken parts. They make repairs, or clean and lubricate the parts. They often order new parts or search for parts from older equipment. They reassemble the equipment and adjust it.

Repairers use a variety of hand tools, including lathes, millers, and grinders. They also use precision tools for detailed repairs.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Appliance Installers and Repairers
• Electric Motor Repairers
• Engineering Technicians
• Home Electronic Repairers
• Jewelers
• Medical Equipment Repairers
• Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
• Photographers
• Precision Assemblers
• Watch Repairers

Military careers

• Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to camera and photographic equipment repairers.

• Review service work orders, which describe equipment problems. May also read diagrams or instructions.
• May talk to customers to explain repair work or discuss repair cost estimates.
• Use small hand tools, such as jewelers' screwdrivers and files.
• Use complex testing instruments to test and measure parts and settings.
• May track inventory and order parts and supplies from manufacturers and wholesalers.
• Take apart cameras and other equipment to find broken or damaged parts.
• Repair a variety of photographic equipment, cameras, lenses, and projectors.
• Inspect equipment to identify damage.
• Clean, lubricate, adjust, polish, and make small repairs. May send complex repairs to the manufacturer.

Common work activities

Camera and photographic equipment repairers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Get information needed to do the job
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Use computers
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Think creatively
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, camera and photographic equipment repairers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social contact. They work with customers, but also spend time alone making repairs.
• Communicate by phone on a daily basis. They also interact with customers when they come into the shop.
• Send emails on a weekly basis.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors.
• May share work space with other repairers.
• May be exposed to contaminants, such as dust.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work to avoid costly damage to equipment.
• Make decisions that affect others on a monthly basis. They usually decide a course of action without consulting a supervisor first.
• Work very independently. They set their own daily tasks and goals.
• Must meet strict weekly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a regular 40-hour week, although some may work overtime.
• May work evenings and Saturdays in some shops.

Physical demands

Camera and photographic equipment repairers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Sit for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for camera and photographic equipment repairers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for camera and photographic equipment repairers to be able to:

• Determine the distance between objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

Skills and abilities

Camera and photographic equipment repairers need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with things

• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Repair machines or systems.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair

Other programs of study to consider

• Precision Crafting and Repair

Training

To work as a camera and photographic equipment repairer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete long-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Some camera and photographic equipment repairers complete a formal training program in electronics. Professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer electronics programs. You receive a certificate or associate degree when you complete the program.

On-the-job training

Beginning repairers receive on-the-job training. Training typically lasts at least one year. You usually begin as a helper. As you progress, you work on more complex tasks. Training includes:

• using equipment and tools;
• making repairs; and
• providing customer service.

Equipment manufacturers also provide training for repairers.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be precision instrument and equipment repairers. This military occupation includes camera repairers. Training lasts nine to 34 weeks, depending on your specialty. Further training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements . You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Equipment Maintenance and Repair
• Photography

Many camera and photographic equipment repairers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer to hire qualified repairers with three to five years of experience. For repairers without experience, employers look for knowledge of electronics. They also look for mechanical aptitude and the ability to understand technical manuals and blueprints.

Photographic equipment repair is precise, detail-oriented work. Employers look for trainees who are patient and persistent. In addition, repairers who work with customers must be able to communicate well and get along with people.

Tips

Repairers of digital cameras need to be familiar with specialized tools, and test and calibration equipment.

#Comments on knowledge needed for digital camera repair from Sanford Camera Repair web site 4/21/06 (http://www.sanfordcamerarepair.com/digital-cameras.html). 

Costs to workers

Workers must supply their own tools, except for larger tools. Cost varies depending on specialty.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by the type of equipment repaired, the worker's level of experience, and the speed at which they work.

Camera and photographic equipment repairers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Those who are self-employed must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 11% of camera and photographic equipment repairers are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Camera sales stores
• Camera repair shops
• Electronics stores

National outlook

There is little job growth expected in this occupation. Demand is limited as fewer people own cameras. This is because many phones now have good cameras built in. Also, digital cameras are less expensive and easy to replace rather then repair. However, people who own expensive cameras will get them repaired.

Despite limited growth, openings will occur as current workers leave this occupation.

Other resources

Society of Photo-Technologist International 
11112 South Spotted Road
Cheney, WA 99004
800.624.9621
509.710.4464

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

• Manufacturing

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers (49-9061.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Aircraft-photographic-equipment Mechanic (714.281-010) 
• Camera Repairer (714.281-014) 
• Field-service Engineer (826.261-010) 
• Machinist, Motion-picture Equipment (714.281-018) 
• Photographic Equipment Technician (714.281-022) 
• Photographic-equipment-maintenance Technician (714.281-026) 
• Service Technician, Computerized-photofinishing Equipment (714.281-030) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative
• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled