Camera Hospital

(This experience is from 2019) Horrible service from the owner, extremely dismissive and talked down to me because I brought in a "cheap" and out of production nikon tw zoom with a broken shutter and lectured me about how he will only fix it if I go and source for the parts myself, which he knew wasn't possible. I suggest supporting local young businesses because you will be treated with respect and they would actually be happy to receive your business, unlike him.

I took 3 cameras to him - 2 film SLRs and 1 DSLR. All of them are having "some" issues with their shutters. For the film cameras, he just tried pressing the shutter release buttons and said that the shutter unit needs to be replaced for S$180 each. He didn't open the lens or did some basic checks or even opened the cameras to see what's the issue. To my surprise, he just held the DSLR and said "ya, same shutter issue. S$250". He didn't even turn on the camera or press the shutter release button once. I heard so many good reviews and took my cameras to him. But it was an utter disappointment for me. Even doctors do some basic check-ups and diagnosis before prescribing any medication. I am NOT doubting his experience or skills. But c'mon, replacing the shutter unit is not the solution for all shutter problems. Btw.. I fixed one of my cameras with just a screwdriver and jumper wire. It may not be a permanent fix, but it's working now without spending a single penny.

This will be my first time leaving a poor review. I had a questionable experience with Steven. I brought my LC-A in and explained I would like to fix the shutter and demonstrated it to him. He took my camera to inspect and instead Steven proceeded to use a flathead screwdriver to scratch off the light seal and insisted that it needed to be fixed as well now, quoting me a “package price” of $160 to fix both light seal and shutter. Shocking. There has never once been any issue with the light seal throughout my years of usage. I have to admit it is an old camera. Should Steven advice a foam light seal replacement it is my discretion whether to oblige, and not damage it to coerce me into a “package” I never asked for. Do you not feel this is akin to a window maker throwing rocks into peoples houses? I do not see any correlation between a foam light seal causing an issue with the shutter. Steven claimed that he had to scratch off the light seal in order to show that the light seal needed replacement. I was very upset and it was only at this point that steven relented his “package price” and quoted me a price of $100 to fix the shutter, minus $60 for the light seal replacement. I do not doubt Steven’s skill with camera repair, but i would like give a forewarning to all based on my experience.

Professional and direct. Maybe this approach does not work for some people. I am visiting from Australia and took my old Rollieflex, for him to look at. He suggested I don’t touch it as it was fine. I would highly recommend Steven to anyone who needs to get their camera checked. Just listen to him! He knows what he is talking about.

Whatsapped them first before making a trip down, Steven took a look at my camera, did a quick little fix and didn’t even charge me. Really grateful for the fast and efficient service.

Steve's epic rudeness is legend in Singapore but this seems to have made little or no difference to his ability to pay the rent at Sunshine Plaza. I honestly think some visit just out of a sadomasochistic desire to be flagellants before the unzipping of his colossal, throat filling, tumescent camera expertise. Go down today and you are sure to feel it forcefully parting your lips and slapping you about the chops eventually. He seems to know his stuff though. His desk groans beneath a thousand vintage lenses waiting for attention. Perhaps this is why, twice in as many decades, I have made the very serious error of travelling down to Sunshine Plaza with innocent thoughts of camera repair, only to leave feeling that it was I that had wasted the masters time and not he with mine. Did Steve experience a cruel childhood? Does he have masculinity issues? Are we being secretly filmed for a Japanese reality show? Near the end he said ‘anyway I don’t have the tech sheet for that’. Check out the bloom in his eyes, I swear he’s had them coated. I did not feel my feet move but suddenly I was out side again, frozen, shivering in the midday heat at the bus stop.

Great service. The shop owners have a lot of knowledge about the cameras. Could be pricey for some people to get their camera repaired, but they are quick and also give you tips on how to store your camera better. Most repairs are done within a week.

I was quite fortunate and didn’t encounter any unpleasant experience with Steven as some reviewers did. If it helps, I took a photo of the issue with my camera and WhatsApp Steven if my camera can be repaired before making a trip down to his shop. In all, I’m super happy with the service. Steven helped to fix my LED screen that was disintegrating. Something that even Canon told me they can’t fix because they no longer manufacture the spare part for my model. Steven also made a point to call me to inform me of longer waiting time to have the spare part delivered due to shipping issue. I appreciated the update he provided and essentially helped me revived my camera that was technically still working very well. It helped me save money from getting an entirely new camera.