In November 2024, I paid $350 to repair my Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens (valued at $2,500). Bill demonstrated it working in his shop, but it broke again within days with the same issue. I returned the lens on November 25, 2024. Bill acknowledged the failed repair and promised to fix it at no charge. Over the next year, Bill kept my lens and never returned a single call. I visited the shop at least five times and called periodically, too. Each time he seemed anxious and irritated by my persistence, promised to call, and then didn't. On October 29, 2025, I delivered a demand letter with the building's security guard as a witness. Bill tried to make me sign a receipt stating I'd received cash before actually handing me any money and after I declined his offer of writing me a personal check. After I finally received the $350, he forgot he was still holding my lens and had to search for it. He appeared confused throughout the interaction. Multiple recent reviews describe nearly identical experiences: repairs failing immediately, equipment held for months with no communication, one customer calling police after seven months, another told "I gave up" after four months. Bill was once regarded as the best in the city, in fact, he repaired my equipment perfectly back in 2005. But now it's clear he can no longer handle repairs or manage his business. TL;DR: Repair failed immediately, took one year and a legal threat to get my money and lens back. Bill forgot he had my lens during the final exchange. Check the other recent 1 and 2 star reviews showing the same pattern. Find another repair shop. read more

Chicago Camera Specialists - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The kindest man helped me with my film camera. It ended up being a simple fix, but he didn't charge me anything. Despite a slight language barrier he was very knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. I highly recommend! read more

Telephoto lens was going out but not going back in. He quoted me a price of $185. I was desperate so I agreed. Got it back and it seemed like it was fixed. Used the camera for a couple of weeks. Next time I tried to use it, the telephoto was worse than when I first took it in. Rather than offer to repair it correctly this time, he said I must have spilled something on the camera like soda (I absolutely did not). Making all of this worse, I didn't realize that there is another way to make the telephoto lens go in and out on my camera. He saw that but didn't tell me until after collecting $185 from me for a repair I didn't need and that he didn't do well. I think if you have a really good camera and know what you're doing, this place is probably fine. The guy is obviously knowledgeable and skilled (I know Central Camera sends customers there). But if your camera costs under $800 or $1000, just buy a new one rather than relying on this place. Giving him two stars instead of 1 because of the racist nonsense in some other comments here. Who gives a crap if the man has an accent? read more

The owner was very sweet, knowledgeable and helpful! Got my camera back within two days. Thank you! Highly recommend

I've been here a couple times now and always had great experiences. I'm not sure if there are multiple employees who work here, but I've had the same man each time I came. Both times were for very minor issues with my cameras that he was able to resolve within minutes. Very kind and very knowledgeable. I'd recommend to anyone looking for camera repairs in the city! read more

Rude, heavy accent, expensive, no credit card/debit card use. Again, such a rude person. Never go there thanks, read more

Sorry, but the owner of this company was so rude to me that I thought he might have mental health issues. I asked him about the store's holiday hours and he told me vaguely what they were. Plus, he has a very heavy accent, so is hard to understand. I asked if he could repeat some of the hours, and he actually yelled at me for asking him to repeat his business hours! I couldn't believe it. I've added a star because he did diagnose my camera problem correctly. Too bad about his unprofessional behavior. read more

I went there because I dropped my lenses... that guy he looked everything and he was honest about to fix didn't worth it!!! Thanks read more

I'm sure he is a really good guy but unfortunately my bessa r3a came back from repair really really broken. I brought it in for a hot shoe replacement and a parallax realignment after it took a spill and knocked it out of place. I dropped it off while visiting Chicago and had to pay up front and have it shipped to me. When I got the camera back I noticed immediately that the parallax was still out of place and then noticed that the frame lines were missing. Then noticed the meter could not be read through the viewfinder. Then noticed the viewfinder was cracked inside the camera. This will end up costing so much to fix this rare camera with scarce parts or take it out of commission for good. I texted him to let him know what the problem is but there's no way I'm sending it back to be further damaged and I doubt a refund will happen. Just make sure you go in person and thoroughly test your camera at pickup before leaving and what ever you do, do not pay up front. read more

Chicago Camera Specialists - Cracked viewfinder after repair - Photography Stores & Services Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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These guys are amazing. Fast, extremely honest and reliable. They have saved my butt on several occasions when I needed my gear for shoots the following day. I personally am a Canon guy and they always have had parts on hand to fix my camera and lenses. I've had some strange problems with my gear and i did not know where to start trouble shooting. Bill is a wizard with the cameras. He amazes me every time I need him. I'm headed back in tomorrow to have him fix a lens of mine. I know I will get a great price and Bill will take care of me like he always does. No one else in Chicago can get your gear fixed as fast as they can. 5 stars all the way!!!! read more

BEWARE. I put my camera in for an estimate on a working-but-malfunctioning camera. He then broke more parts and rendered the camera non-functional. Then he sent my camera to Canon without my permission and expected me to pay the $750 repair without quoting it to me before service. Highly do not recommend unless for a simple cleaning. Awful communicator, terrible service. read more

I took my camera here in early December with some sand in the lens. I needed it a week later as I was doing a photography course. He said it was ready on the Friday so I went to collect it but then had to wait for half an hour while he finished what he was doing (while paying the valet parking outside.) An hour into my class the camera jammed as it hadn't been cleaned properly. No camera for my photography class - great. I took it back and got it almost 6 weeks later! After several phone calls and "I'll call you next weeks" which never happened. In the meantime I had no camera for my vacation, Christmas or baby shower. It does seem to be okay now, fingers crossed. He really needs to work on his turnaround. read more

This is where I've been going for all my camera repairs, for the last 10 years. I've always been happy with all his works. He'll also work the price out with you, depending on what you can afford, especially if you're a student. It's a one man shop, so you're not treated like a number. He'll fix anything from a rangefinder, tlr, slr no matter if it's film or digital. I was afraid to write this review since more people might start coming there and the price might shoot up. But, I guess it's the least I can do. :D read more

Got to give him a four star for quickness. I went in today after 1:00 and my camera was ready before five. The hours allowed for later evening pick up which worked great around my other errands. I brought in my Canon point and shoot with a broken focus. He said he was most likely due to sand shifting around in the lens. Rush was $10 fee for same day, fair. Cost of repair $65, a bit high but less than a new camera. Cash only. Thank you read more

Best place ever. I am a traveling New Yorker, and I dropped the camera while I was visiting Chicago. I was to able to find this place on Google. My camera is Olympus PEN EP-5 and my lens is 17mm/1.8 m.zuico. This place is legit. He knows what he is doing. He was able to tell what was wrong with it (thankfully it was not the body, but the lens problem) and he fixed it on same day knowing I have to go back to New York. It's not cheap repair, but I am very happy with it. read more

Took in a camera one morning in need of a lens and sensor cleaning and to have a jammed/broken filter removed. Was promised that it would ready by 2:00 p.m. Got a call from them just before then that it was ready, drove back in and picked it up with no problem ($65 total). Not sure if this is their typical turnaround time, but the same-day service was much appreciated. FYI, they do not accept credit cards, only cash and check. read more

So I thought my camera was done :( it was hanging on the door nob as I was getting ready to do a fun fall shoot , with all the pretty colors of fall & my cute little doggie ... In comes my strong b-friend & slams the camera into the wall & and thought the was the end of my fancy nikon... but I gotta say this man saved my camera :) Well its been a whole year of amazing pictures , memories & more ,... And my camera is still kicking strong . Cons: Remember we live in Chicago so parking is not good!!!! but this man came out to hand deliver the camera :) need I say more ..... read more

Able to fix my camera (Panasonic Lumix w/ Leica lens) at the estimated price. It took a couple of days longer than planned, but I got it back with the shutter working. Very professional, but he talks at a low volume and has a strong accent, which means you have to talk in person because it is difficult over the phone. Also I went to pick up my camera right when the store opened at 9:30, but for whatever reason the owner was not there and I left after waiting 30 min, only to have to come back later. You can pay in cash or check, no credit or debit. read more

I leave my canon with water damage here for estimate. The guy was rude and spoke broken English so I could rarely understand what he is talking about. Took my ID to get me back my camera. Never use that again. read more

My Nikon camera had an error message when I inserted the SD card. Chicago Camera did a Awesome job with great customer service and speedy repair read more

I recommend this company! My 7 year-old Canon 6D needed repair: the main dial was hard to turn and getting worse, and the camera had never been cleaned. I could not find anyone in the Nashville, TN area that would repair it. There was one recommended, but they never responded to my three messages. I contacted several companies on the internet: Canon estimated $350; another estimated $145, but their reviews were terrible (they "found" other parts that needed repair, and the cost more than doubled). Then I called Chicago Camera Specialists. Bill Park knew exactly what needed to be done. I mailed the camera to him, he promptly gave me a price (about $100 lower than Canon), I sent a check (they don't accept credit cards), and received the repaired and cleaned camera back in about two weeks. It works like new. Some reviews mention difficulty understanding them. We took our time talking, and I had no problem. read more

Very slow in fixing your camera! Do NOT go here if you need your camera fixed right away! He told me it would be 1 week to fix the video camera, I called a day before to confirm the pickup only to have him tell me, he didn't look at it yet and to call him 2 weeks later! In a nutshell 4 weeks went by only to have him say, Oh I looked at it and couldn't do anything! What a waste of TIME! Look somewhere ELSE to get your camera fixed!!! read more

I had an old camera and I wasn't sure he would be able to fix it. He took it to the back and gave it back to me in a few minutes. The guy is super helpful and really knows what hes doing. read more

Bill is just terrific and also very reasonable rates much cheaper than Canon service. Strong recommend.

They were great, speak to Bill, he got me in and out quickly, only charged me $10 for a rush repair, had it back overnight. He's very honest, gave me the bad part to show my daughter what was wrong. He get's a 5 star with me. read more

He was incredibly helpful and kind. His knowledge is unsurpassed in his field. He figured out our camera, that is from the 40's, lickety-split. Top notch service! read more

I've been here a couple times and service is below average. Communication with the owner is incredibly tough and can lead to you not getting the service you expected or extra charges you weren't expecting. read more

I took my camera here for a sensor cleaning, and it was incredible. Bill is super friendly and his cost/turnaround time can't be beat! I showed up at 2PM and he had my camera cleaned and back in my hands by 4PM!? Also, he only charged me $70 which I think is pretty damn good. He even put another lens on the camera to show me all the dust before - as well as zero dust after! Couldn't be happier with this place and Bill is the man! read more

My Canon 5D Mark II was fixed quickly and efficiently. Phone communication is not easy, but in-person he obviously knows what he's doing and does it well. Cash only. read more

Best camera repair shop in Chicago! Talk about experience, Bill is so knowledgable and friendly. I had a stripped screw in my Canon T2i and I could not remove it for the life of me. I brought it in, not only did he easily remove it, he repaired several issues and cleaned the sensors for me for SUCH a fair price. Excellent customer service, great prices, so much knowledge - a GREAT experience all around. Thank you!! read more

I have an old Cannon Rebel that suddenly stopped working. I called Calumet and they said they did not repair, but referred me to this place. This was end of May, a week before a trip to Central America, so I told him I needed it as soon as possible. I went to pick up the camera on a Friday and it all seemed fine. I was charged $200. Before traveling that Monday, I decided to try the camera out and it wouldn't even turn on. On Monday, hours before my flight, I took it back and left it there because he did not know what went wrong. I never got a call. I never got a follow-up. Three times I went to pick up the camera, only to be told that it was not ready. Today, November 22, 6 months later, I got it back after calling and saying that I just wanted it back. The problem was never fixed and my camera still does not turn on. He agreed to give me $100 back and to tell you the truth, I'm just glad I have it back and don't have to go there again. read more

pleasure to do business with. needed Nikon Coolpix S9700 lens repaired (cover didn't open fully - a problem I have had with several Nikon Coolpix). needed quick - trip. he had it done one day sooner than planned. he is a bit hard to understand but seems to do good work. will let you know if it doesn't hold up. a bit pricy at $65, but that is what he quoted without knowing what problem was. read more