You should service and clean your camera once a year, apparently. Mine’s at least six years old and apart from wiping the front of the lense with my sleeve every now and again, (not exactly a deep clean) I haven’t touched it.

Swapping the lenses over I can just about handle but seeing my camera’s inner workings, naked and exposed, generally makes me panic. It’s a bit like seeing someone you know well, but not intimately, with their clothes off. Wrong and rather frightening.

Camera Hospital to the rescue! Found thanks to its utterly professional Facebook page…and what a find!

Steven is charming and has owned and run the business, single handedly, since he bought it 35 years ago.

It has been in operation – albeit under various different owners – for a rather staggering three generations, alluded to by the fabulous collection of vintage Leicas, Nikons and Rolleiflexes in the front window (below). What’s more, Steven knows masses about photography (as you’d rather hope) and will chat to you about aperture, what you’re doing wrong and what you’re doing right.

Here’s a close-up of his retro-fabulous shop window:

He doesn’t charge for photography tips but here are his prices for cleaning and/or servicing:

-Simple sensor clean: $30

-Viewfinder and sensor cleaning: $80

-Complete cleaning of camera lens and body (when he strips the camera from it’s plastic casing and return it looking almost as good as new): $180. This is the option I went for.

-If there’s a fault with camera, the cost of repairs is quoted on a case by case basis. It also depends on what sort of camera you have.

I desperately needed my camera back for a project I’m working on – more on that later – so he very kindly promised next day service at no extra charge.

Steven, the patron saint of cameras, very much worth sharing and supporting!

Camera Hospital, 91 Bencoolen Street, #01-67 Sunshine Plaza
T: (+65) 6336 0025 or HP: (+65) 9237 3212
Opening Times: 12:00-19:30

They also have a website. Click here for details.