Quel délai ?
My vintage camera restoration work is a passion-driven profession, which I practice alone, with all the care and attention it deserves. As with any craft-based activity, I face unexpected events that can disrupt the workflow. When you’re working solo, life’s uncertainties—both personal and professional—have an immediate impact on scheduling, and priorities can shift from one day to the next.
Fortunately, I’m doing well, I’m still active, and the restorations are
progressing one by one, in the order they arrived and at a pace that
ensures the quality of the work done. Because that’s what matters most:
providing a lasting, reliable service that satisfies customers… even if
it takes time. Sometimes a lot of time! But this commitment to
rigor allows me to maintain a warranty return rate of less than 3%,
which, in this field, is quite an achievement.
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A fast-evolving craft
Over the past few years, demand has steadily increased. This has naturally led me to specialize in certain models, allowing me to continue delivering work of the highest standard.
But with this increase in demand, part of my time is now devoted to responding to inquiries, directing people to other skilled repairers, or sharing my knowledge online. This is invisible work, yet invaluable—work that also contributes to preserving our photographic heritage.
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Specific constraints… and sometimes barely visible ones:
Some challenges are beyond my control…
- Weather conditions in the high mountains can make my access route impassable.
- Power or internet outages are becoming more frequent, temporarily limiting my ability to work.
- Delays can extend when a device, once opened, reveals unexpected issues, or when parts are missing, damaged, or impossible to find.
- And sometimes, custom-made parts take a long time to manufacture or deliver…
In every case, I do my best to move forward with the available resources.
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A deliberate choice: quality over speed:
I understand that everyone would like to get their device back quickly and on a predictable schedule. But that’s simply not compatible with the demands of this craft.
That’s why, today, I no longer provide repair timelines. Those who need a firm deadline will have to turn to another professional—I completely understand that. For my part, I choose to stay true to my values:
- Never rushing the work.
- Not yielding to the pressure of a world that moves faster and faster.
- Preserving a balanced, peaceful way of life so I can continue practicing my craft with joy.
I’m not indispensable, and there will always be other skilled repairers to take over, now or in the future. But as long as I’m here, I choose to do things well—at my own pace, with respect for the objects entrusted to me… and for the people who entrust them to me.
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