Camera Repair, and the Search for Bill

The display screen on my camera came loose a few weeks back, and the screen has been flopping open nearly every time I turn on my camera to take a photo. Two small screws apparently fell out, and the whole display screen wobbles, almost to the point where I’m afraid of snapping it by taking a photo.

I went to a nearby camera shop last week, to try to get some repair work done. At first, they found one screw that sorta fit and threw it in there… no charge. When that too fell out, I went back and they told me they couldn’t help. The guy behind the counter scribbled some info on a piece of paper and said “Go to this guy. He’ll help you out.”

When I asked why I couldn’t just leave my camera and have them fix it… the guy told me they’d have to charge me at least $20 for the work. I’d be better off going to see Bill, the guy told me, and tapped the piece of paper.

Here’s what he gave me. No name of a business, not a lot of details. Just “Bill” and an address.

On walking down Wabash, turns out the address is for the Jewelers Center, a building that Liz and I have been in before (when we were shopping around for rings). On the tenth floor, around the corner from the elevators, I found what I think was the smallest “office” I’ve ever been in, in my life.

On walking in through the first door, there was a small area about as wide as a regular desk. There were two chairs for those “waiting,” and the whole space felt like the size of a large closet.

An elderly Asian guy came to the second door, and I showed him my camera. As we did our business, it felt like one of those police movies where you go to check out evidence, or go to reclaim your belongings after a long time in jail.

I pointed to the missing screws, and the guy nodded. He looked at the camera, looked at me… and said “Five dollars.” After disappearing for a few minutes in back, he returned and was tightening all the other screws on my camera as he was walking. Everything’s back to normal with my camera, and it feels solid again (with no more flopping parts).

This wasn’t the most exciting story, but I just found it really unusual that I was given a name and an address. I sort of expected an apartment building and a dark corridor, but this was pretty close. The waiting area was incredibly unusual, but I guess that’s all you need if your business is mostly pickup and dropoffs.

I’m kicking myself, as I never verified the guy’s name. If you’re ever near Jewelers Row, and need some camera work done… consider Chicago Camera Specialists, located at 5 South Wabash, #1017. There may be a small wait. Literally.