Camera repair – diagnostics 10 €

Which city is more convenient for you?

Vilnius
Kaunas
Klaipėda
Šiauliai

Vilnius

Kareivių g. 11A, Žirmūnai

„Rimi“ next to McDonald’s

+370 655 00790 Service centre in Vilnius

Kaunas

Savanorių pr. 155, Žaliakalnis

+370 684 09811 Service centre in Kaunas

Klaipėda

Sausio 15-osios g. 13

Next to „Avitela“

+370 658 48560 Service centre in Klaipėda

Šiauliai

Gegužių g. 30

PC „Arena“

+370 652 95616 Service centre in Šiauliai

Diagnostics within 1–2 days
Price agreed in advance
Mon–Fri 9–18
All contacts

Camera repair at our service points covers DSLR, mirrorless and compact cameras, lenses, flashes and video cameras. We fix focusing, shutter, screen, power and card slot faults, clean sensors, and restore cameras damaged by liquid or sand. On this page you will find faults described the way they are usually reported, approximate prices, advice on whether a repair is worthwhile, and a list of what to bring to the service point.

Before taking your camera to a service point, it is worth clarifying one thing: photos sometimes go wrong not because of a fault, but because of settings. That is why for each symptom we provide safe checks that you can do yourself. If they do not help, you bring the camera to the nearest service point, and a technician determines the real cause.

How much does camera repair cost? The initial diagnostic costs 10 €. We tell you the repair price after the diagnostic and agree on it in advance. We repair only with your consent.
How long does it take? We determine the cause of the fault within 1–2 business days. We agree on the repair time together with the price, as it depends on the fault and the parts.
Is it worth repairing the camera? It depends on the fault and the value of the camera. After the diagnostic we tell you the price and the time frame, and the decision is yours.
Which models do you repair? Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympus and others: cameras, lenses, flashes and video cameras.

Camera faults: what these symptoms mean

Below are the symptoms for which cameras are most often brought to us. First we describe what you can check yourself, and then what the technician does.

01from 60 €

The camera does not focus or focuses poorly

WhyMost often the cause is light that is too dim or a single-colour surface without contrast, such as the sky or a white wall. If that is not the case, the focusing system, the lens motor or the contacts may be dirty or faulty.

Check it yourselfIlluminate the subject with a flashlight, photograph a high-contrast edge, switch to manual focus, and check that the manual focus switch on the lens has not been turned on by accident.

What we doThe technician tests focusing with different lenses, cleans the contacts and the mechanism, and, if necessary, adjusts or replaces the focusing part.

02from 30 €

Photos are blurry or smeared

WhyMost often the shutter speed is set too slow (slower than about 1/60 s) and the hands shake, or the focus was missed. Sometimes the cause is a dirty lens or sensor, and more rarely a faulty stabilizer.

Check it yourselfIncrease the ISO, open the aperture, use a tripod and wipe the front glass of the lens with a microfibre cloth. Try another lens.

What we doWe check whether the blur appears across the whole frame or only in a corner, clean the optics and the sensor, and check the lens alignment and the stabilizer.

03from 25 €

Photos are too bright or too dark

WhyThe most common cause is exposure compensation turned on by accident (the “+/–” button). We had a customer whose new camera’s photos were too bright solely because of this function, although the warranty centre found no fault. If the settings are in order, the aperture or the shutter may be faulty.

Check it yourselfSet the exposure compensation to 0, check the metering mode and take photos with another lens.

What we doWe check the settings and the operation of the shutter and the aperture, and determine whether the fault is mechanical. If there is no fault and a setting is to blame, we tell you so.

04from 35 €

The camera does not turn on

WhyThe battery may be discharged or worn out, the battery contacts may be dirty or bent, there may be oxidation after exposure to moisture, or an electronics fault. If the camera was previously splashed with liquid or dropped, the cause may be unrelated to the battery.

Check it yourselfTry another charged battery and another charging cable or charger, and make sure the battery is inserted correctly. If the camera got wet, do not turn it on – bring it to the service point as soon as possible.

What we doWe check the power supply and the contacts, repair or replace the battery slot, clean off oxidation and determine whether the board is damaged.

05from 35 €

The camera does not write to the memory card

WhyMost often the card is damaged, full, locked or formatted with an unsuitable file system. More rarely the camera’s card slot or contacts fail, especially if the card was pulled out with force.

Check it yourselfTry another card, format it in the camera itself (after transferring your photos beforehand) and check the lock switch on the card. You will find more tips in the article about card errors.

What we doWe check the slot contacts, replace or repair the slot and, if necessary, restore the firmware.

06from 25 €

Spots or dark dots are visible in photos

WhyAlmost always it is dust or grease on the sensor or on the rear lens element. The spots are visible when the aperture is closed down, for example to f/16, and you photograph a bright sky.

Check it yourselfPhotograph a white sheet of paper at f/16 and see whether the spots appear again with another lens. Do not wipe the sensor yourself, as you could scratch it.

What we doThe sensor is cleaned with special tools, and the sensor filter and the inside of the lens are checked.

07from 80 €

The shutter sticks, frames are half black or a strange sound is heard

WhyThis is most often worn or stuck shutter blades, a broken spring or a problem with the mirror mechanism. Cameras that are used a lot for shooting encounter shutter problems more often.

Check it yourselfTry different shutter speeds: if the problem occurs only at short or only at long speeds, that is useful information for the technician. Do not disassemble the camera.

What we doDuring diagnostics we measure the shutter speeds, replace the shutter mechanism or its parts, and check the operation of the mirror.

08from 50 €

Camera has been splashed with liquid, dropped in water or exposed to sand

WhyWater and sand damage the electronics, lens mechanisms and contacts. Oxidation may not appear immediately but after a few days, so the camera sometimes keeps working for a while.

Check it yourselfTurn off the camera, do not switch it on again and do not use a hair dryer. Bring it to the service centre as soon as possible.

What we doWe disassemble the camera, clean the board and contacts, determine what is damaged, and only then tell you the repair price.

09from 60 €

Lens does not extend, shows an error or the aperture does not work

WhyIn a compact camera, the most common culprit is a mechanism jammed by sand or an impact. In an interchangeable lens, the contacts or the aperture control part may be faulty.

Check it yourselfCheck that the lens is properly locked in place, wipe the contacts with a dry cloth and try a different camera body or lens.

What we doWe inspect the lens mechanics and contacts, clean, repair and replace parts.

Phone camera not working

WhyIt may be a software error, a frozen app, or a camera damaged by an impact or water. On some models, the image may turn black or show spots.

Check it yourselfRestart the phone, close all apps, try the camera and clean the lens glass. If that does not help, diagnostics are needed – read our phone repair page.

What we doWe check the camera module, connectors and software, and replace the module or restore the system.

11from 50 €

Broken screen or viewfinder not working

WhyThe screen usually breaks from an impact, while the viewfinder may stop working because of a faulty sensor, cable or the module itself.

Check it yourselfTry switching between the screen and the viewfinder, and check that the viewfinder sensor has not been turned off.

What we doWe replace the screen or viewfinder and check the connectors and cable.

How much camera repair costs

Below are approximate prices for the most common jobs; we will tell you the exact price after diagnostics.

Diagnostics

Service	Price	Warranty
Initial diagnostics	10 €	–

Lens and image

Service	Price	Warranty
Lens cleaning and adjustment	from 30 €	–
Sensor cleaning	from 25 €	–
Focus or aperture mechanism repair	from 60 €	–

Body and mechanics

Service	Price	Warranty
Shutter mechanism replacement	from 80 €	–
Screen or viewfinder replacement	from 50 €	–
Battery or card slot repair	from 35 €	–
Restoration of a moisture-damaged camera	from 50 €	–

Software

Service	Price	Warranty
Software (firmware) reinstallation	from 25 €	–

Prices are approximate; we will tell you the exact amount after diagnostics and agree on it before the repair; a warranty is provided for the repair work carried out.

Is it worth repairing? Calculate in 10 seconds

How much a new one would cost now, € Device age, in years Repair cost, €

Enter the numbers and we will show whether the repair is worthwhile. We give the exact repair price after diagnostics, and we agree on it with you before the repair.

What people get wrong about camera repair

Myth. If photos are blurry, the lens is broken. In fact. The cause is most often the shutter speed, focusing or hand shake; the technician determines the exact cause during diagnostics.
Myth. It is best to blow or wipe dust off the sensor yourself. In fact. You must not blow with your mouth, as droplets of saliva get onto it, and wiping can easily scratch the filter. The sensor must be cleaned with special tools.
Myth. It is worth switching on a wet camera at least once to see if it works. In fact. Do not switch on a wet camera: a short circuit may occur in a damp device. Turn it off and bring it to the service centre as soon as possible.
Myth. It is not worth repairing an old camera. In fact. Older bodies and lenses often pay off, especially when similar new equipment costs several times more. It is best to make the decision after diagnostics.

Is it worth repairing a camera or buying a new one

There is no single rule here: the decision depends on the fault, the age of the device and how much comparable new equipment would cost. Cleaning, a software update, or replacing a port or screen is usually much cheaper than a new body. The more expensive question arises when the device has spent a long time in damp conditions or the mainboard has been affected.

Another argument is lenses. A good lens often costs more than the camera body itself, and repairing or cleaning it is usually cheaper than buying a new one. If you shoot with interchangeable lenses, it is often worth fixing your existing equipment rather than switching to a new system.

A device that you have used for several years and that suits you is worth repairing even if it is not the cheapest option. After diagnostics you will receive a clear price and timeframe, and you will make the decision yourself.

the repair is considerably cheaper than comparable new equipment – usually worth it
an expensive lens with a minor fault – worth it almost always
a device that was heavily splashed or left in a damp place for a long time – diagnostics are needed first
a very cheap compact camera with several faults combined – sometimes a new device is the smarter choice

Bring the device in as soon as possible after the fault occurs, without trying to switch it on again: a non-working device can often be saved, but if it is switched on repeatedly, it may fail more seriously.

Which camera brands and equipment we repair

We repair Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympus and other brands of devices. These may be a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, a compact camera, or a video camera. We also accept lenses and flashes separately.

Regardless of the brand, faults tend to repeat. DSLRs more often have problems with the shutter and mirror mechanism, as they have more moving parts. In compact cameras, the lens extension mechanism and the screen most often fail. Mirrorless cameras tend to have problems with sensor contamination and the card slot.

If you are interested in film cameras, we write about their popularity in the article on the popularity of film cameras.

How to protect your camera and photos

Most expensive repairs start with small things: dust, moisture and impacts. After shooting outdoors, wipe the camera with a dry cloth, and after rain or fog let it dry naturally at room temperature before putting it in its case. In a closed bag, moisture can linger for several days.

When changing a lens, try to do it in an enclosed space rather than on a windy day at the beach. Sand and fine dust get into the sensor and the lens mechanism. When carrying the camera, put the cap on the lens and take care to use a case.

As for the safety of your photos: before bringing in the camera, make a backup if the camera still works. You can usually keep the memory card yourself, unless the technician asks otherwise – that way your photos will definitely stay with you.

after rain, dry the camera naturally, not with a hair dryer
carry a case and a lens cap with the camera
change the card and swap lenses in an enclosed space
copy your photos to a computer or the cloud right after the photo session

Do not blow dust off the sensor with your mouth or wipe it with a napkin: saliva droplets and shavings contaminate the sensor even more.

What to bring to the service point

the camera with the lens, if the fault occurs with it
the battery and charger
a short note on when and how the fault occurred
a sample photo or video showing the problem
a backup of your photos; you can usually keep the memory card yourself
documents or insurance information, if a defect report is needed

How camera repair works with us

Bring in the device or call us. Bring the camera to the nearest service point in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda or Šiauliai. If you are unsure whether it is worth it, call first and describe the fault. Service points are open Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00.
Diagnostics. The technician inspects the device and determines the cause of the fault within 1–2 working days. Initial diagnostics cost 10 €.
Price and timeframe. After diagnostics, we tell you what failed, how much the repair will cost and how long it will take. The decision is yours, and there are no hidden fees.
Repair. We carry out repairs only after receiving your consent. If necessary, we perform both software and mechanical work.
Pick-up with a warranty. You collect the repaired device, and a warranty is provided for the repair work performed. If needed, we also issue a defect report for insurance.

What else people ask about camera repair

Do you repair cameras in Panevėžys?

Our service points operate in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda and Šiauliai. You can bring the device to the nearest service point, and for details, it is best to call first and get advice.

Can you repair a film camera?

It depends on the model and the fault. Bring the camera to a service point or call first for advice, and after diagnostics we will tell you whether a repair is possible.

The camera on my phone doesn’t work – do you repair that?

Yes, we also repair phone cameras. You can read more on the page about phone repair. If your phone camera shows a black screen or a blurry image, bring the phone in for diagnostics.

Do you issue a defect report for insurance?

Yes, if needed, we issue defect reports for insurance. It’s worth mentioning this right away when you bring in the device.

The camera doesn’t record to the memory card – what should I do?

First, try another card and format it in the camera itself. We describe the causes in more detail in the article why the camera doesn’t record to the memory card.

Do you repair separate lenses and flashes?

Yes, lens and flash repair is among our services, and we also repair video cameras. Bring the whole set if the fault appears only with a particular lens.

Camera repair and lens repair