Whilton Camera Service

I have no problems with this gentleman at all. He is knowledgeable and reasonable. My daughter goes there for camera issues and so do I. In fact, I am taking another camera to him this week. Hey maybe he has bad days like other people, but he’s never been having one when I arrived there. So I give him 5 stars! I don’t want anyone rating me by my bad days.

Whilton Camera Service came very recommended by the photography department at Pasadena City College. I figured he’s local, my old SLR needs fixing, why not? I called him after the first day of class and he said I could drop my camera off anytime that afternoon. He works out of his house now, so you just need to call to see if he’s there before showing up. It’s only street parking but it’s a very small and quaint street, I can’t imagine how you’d have trouble.
He has a little storefront-​like setup near his front door where you meet him. He examined my Pentax K1000 (that hadn’t been used in years) and said the prism needed replacement since a black fungus was starting to grow on it. A 28 mm lens I brought in also had a slow aperture so he said he’d lubricate that too, in addition to the general lubrication and checkup for the camera. Normally he charges $ 60-​$ 75 for a general camera workover depending on the model. My Pentax was less complicated so it would be $ 55, and the replacement of the prism cost an additional $ 55. I had gotten the camera and lenses for really cheap on ebay ($ 100 overall) so I thought it would be a good investment. However, he doesn’t take credit card and prefers cash over personal check.
He had everything ready the next week. The slow lens hadn’t been improved, so he offered to sell me one of his 28 mm lenses (a better model, at that!) for $ 10 more. A very generous offer, and one I took. I figure, he’d be able to use my slow lens for parts if anything else!
If you’re local and your camera needs a checkup, I highly recommend Whilton Camera!

Horrible!!! He had my camera for 3 weeks and never called me. I called he said,” need more time.” 3 weeks later I called for my camera, he said, «I am out for lunch call I will call you back «never called back. I called again, he said «your camera cannot be fixed no charge. Come pick it up.»
I am beyond troubled and disturbed. I had a fabulous trip to NYC and couldn’t use my camera.
This shop should be out of business. The only reason I gave him a shot was because of his Unilocal recommendation.
Don’t go here. You will regret it.

The man who runs this setup is so nice, a really generous and all around great. The lenses and cameras are priced reasonably, and he gives a great warranty for anything he sells. I bought a Canon 20D with a kit lens about a year ago for only 600. He threw in memory cards, a charger, bag, etc.
I’ve also bought lenses from him, he’s got a good selection for Canon cameras.