Sendean Cameras

Sendean Cameras, camera repair in Shoreditch since 1926

Sendean Cameras is a family-run workshop for the repair and maintenance of cameras and photographic equipment based in the London neighbourhood of Shoreditch. The company has been operating since 1926 and three generations of the same family are still involved. Its main activity is camera repair, complemented by a photographic equipment shop and a rental service.

Repair of digital and analogue equipment

The workshop handles both digital and analogue cameras. On the digital side, the team repairs cameras and lenses that the manufacturers themselves no longer support. On the analogue side, it works with vintage lenses, cine cameras and retro photographic material, including restoration of equipment to return it to its original condition. The company states that it repairs any photographic equipment and that its quotes are prepared based on a careful inspection of the device.

Among the brands the company expressly mentions are Canon, Sony, Contax and Mamiya, as well as old analogue cameras. The analogue repair service specialises in 35 mm models from Canon, Olympus and Pentax.

A team of six technicians

The workshop has six technicians, each with their own specialisation. The company puts the team's combined technical experience at more than 165 years. The roles are divided between digital and analogue technicians, with a customer service area for reception and telephone handling.

• Philip, senior technician focused on digital cameras, joined in 2003 and also manages the shop.
• Jonathan, digital technician, has developed in-house programs for the workshop and customer service.
• Steven, digital technician trained in the workshop itself.
• David, analogue camera specialist, has been part of the company since 1987 and works on equipment restoration.
• Andrew, analogue and cine technician, with the company since 2002, advises on the choice of vintage cameras and teaches usage classes.
• Asa, analogue technician specialising in 35 mm cameras from Canon, Olympus and Pentax.

The company notes that Demetrios, one of its historic directors, passed away in 2019 and that the business continues also in his memory.

Shop and equipment rental

In addition to the workshop, Sendean Cameras maintains a shop with a wide range of cameras and other photographic material, available both online and in its London premises. The company also offers an equipment rental service. The website details that customers can send their equipment by post for review and a quote.

History and family character

Founded in 1926, the company presents itself as a small family business in which three generations are still involved. Several of the current technicians are children, grandchildren or sons-in-law of the founder or his successors, and some grew up in the workshop itself. The company defines itself as a business of photographers and emphasises direct attention with the technicians as part of its way of working.

Location and contact

25 Waterson Street, Shoreditch, London E2 8HT · Phone: 020 7242 7733 · Email: hello@sendeancameras.co.uk · Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00-17:00