Home › Repair costs
What camera repair costs
Typical US price ranges for the most common camera and lens repairs, compiled from published repair-shop price lists. These are reference ranges to help you judge a quote — not prices offered by any specific business in the directory. Always confirm with the shop.
$80+typical starting price
$150–300a film-camera CLA
$50–80sensor cleaning
44authorized service centers
Camera repair cost index
| Repair | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor cleaning (digital body) | $50–$80 | Wet clean + dust removal; often same-day or while-you-wait. |
| Clean-lube-adjust (CLA), 35mm film SLR | $150–$300 | Full mechanical service: clean, re-lubricate, new light seals, adjust shutter speeds. |
| CLA, medium format / leaf-shutter | $250–$325 | More complex mechanism; leaf shutters and MF add labour. |
| Shutter service / replacement | $165–$425 | Capping, sticking or dead shutter; cost varies widely by camera. |
| Light-seal replacement | $40–$90 | Often bundled into a CLA; cheap and high-impact on a film camera. |
| Lens: fungus / haze removal | $80–$250 | Disassemble, clean elements, reassemble; etched coatings cost more. |
| Lens: oily aperture blade cleaning | $80–$200 | Common on older primes; restores accurate exposure. |
| Diagnostic / bench / estimate fee | $24–$85 | To open and quote the job; some shops credit it against the repair, some do not — ask. |
| Water / liquid damage assessment | $75–$200 | Plus parts; success depends on speed and what got wet. Often not economical. |
Camera repair cost: common questions
- Is a camera repair worth it?
- Compare the repair cost to what the body is worth and what it would cost to replace. A $50–$80 sensor clean on a $1,500 camera is a clear yes; a $250 CLA on a $120 film point-and-shoot usually is not, unless it has sentimental value. For film and mechanical cameras, a good CLA can add decades of reliable life, which changes the math.
- Why do repair prices vary so much between shops?
- Labour rates, parts availability, whether the shop is manufacturer-authorized, and how specialized the work is. A generalist and a Leica specialist will quote very different numbers for the same rangefinder. Always get a written estimate, and ask whether the diagnostic fee is credited against the repair.
- Do these prices include parts?
- Usually labour and common consumables (light seals, lubricant, cleaning) are included; major parts (a replacement shutter unit, a lens element, a circuit board) are extra and are the biggest source of price variation. That is why a written estimate after inspection matters.