At the repair desk…
…you’ll find little old me. My name’s Seb. Welcome to Roll With It, the Milton Keynes (UK) based camera repair shop, where it’s all about giving vintage cameras a second chance to shine!
Being a digital Photographer who was raised around film cameras (90’s babies know), I was overcome with feelings of nostalgia and curiosity when one day I came across a beaten up SLR in a charity shop. It was a Ricoh KR-10, an underrated 80’s bit of kit! What started as a curious rescue mission from that charity shop shelf quickly turned into a passion project. I’d found this broken and rather sad looking SLR, destined for a dusty corner or, worse, a landfill and I couldn’t let that happen! So, I rolled up my sleeves, hunted down (what felt like) elusive parts, and brought that camera back to life. The first test roll? It was perfect.
But I didn’t stop there. My obsession with all things analogue film grew—SLRs led to TLRs, which oddly led to compact cameras. I found immense joy not just in repairing these little masterpieces, but in reconnecting them with new owners who’d come to care for them as much as I do. There’s something magical about saving a camera from becoming just an ornament or a landfill casualty and getting to feel it click back into action.
That rescue mission evolved into a full-blown quest to keep the use of film and the art of film photography alive. Whether it's helping a newbie get their hands on their first film camera or reviving a beloved classic for a seasoned shooter, I’m here for it. Is it challenging at times? Absolutely. But hey, when the going gets tough, I just roll with it.
So, whether you’re here to buy, repair, or just chat about all things vintage camera, you’re in the right place. Let’s keep the film dream alive, one roll at a time.
second hand - sustainable
Film cameras are all around us, sometimes hidden in plain sight. If you grew up in the 90s or earlier, you might remember the significance of these cameras in capturing life’s moments. Consider just one model, the Olympus Trip 35: between 1967 and 1984, Olympus sold over 10 million of these cameras. That’s one model from one brand, illustrating how deeply embedded film cameras were in our culture and how extensively they were manufactured. Film cameras weren’t just common; they were crafted with quality and precision to meet the needs of professional and amateur photographers alike. While later mass production introduced more affordable models, even these were built to last by today’s standards.
Today, there are millions of well-made, functional film cameras, some gathering dust in attics or stored away in forgotten drawers. These cameras were crafted with care, using resources that were meant to last—not to mention the environmental cost of producing more plastic in modern-day equivalents. Restoring these cameras honours their legacy and preserves a piece of photographic history. Many only need a little TLC to be fully functional again, even if finding parts can be a challenge. So why rely on cheap plastic presently made cameras, or even disposable cameras, which add to the cycle of waste, when you can invest in something made to endure? By bringing these vintage cameras back to life, we not only reduce waste but also revive an art form that stands the test of time.
In terms of sustainability, I’m committed to making the most out of every camera I work with. Whether I’m restoring a remarkable model to full functionality or carefully dismantling one for parts, I strive to salvage as much as possible. This dedication helps to keep the legacy of film photography alive while minimising waste. Anything that can’t be reused is disposed of with the utmost care and responsibility, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint. By valuing each component, I’m not only preserving history but also championing a more sustainable approach to film photography.
And you, too, can play a part in this sustainable cycle by supporting people like me who bring these forgotten cameras back to life. Choosing to buy second-hand means you’re investing in quality, history, and a future with less waste. Together, we can keep the spirit of film photography alive while making a positive impact on the planet.
