My bad experience with Duall Cameras - Repairs

[Nacho Guzman]

Hello team

 

I’d like to share my experience with Duall Cameras, particularly regarding how Jeffrey handled my repair.

Early last year, I sent my EL Bolex in for repair. It’s a camera known for being difficult to fix, and out of everyone I contacted at the time, Jeffrey was the only one who responded and asked me to send it to him.

About eight months later, just before Christmas, he returned the camera. I was out of the UK for a couple of months, so I didn’t have the chance to test it right away. However, when I finally did, I was surprised to find that it wasn’t working.

I contacted Jeffrey and sent him a video to help explain the issue. I had briefly removed the front section of the camera, as the light meter can sometimes get stuck and cause problems, but that didn’t seem to be the case here.

Unfortunately, I found Jeffrey’s response quite unexpected. He was rather direct and suggested that my checking the light meter was the reason the camera was no longer working.

Of course, it’s difficult to verify the condition of repairs from Duall, as they don’t provide written reports or videos demonstrating that the camera is fully functional before returning it. I chose to send my camera based on the positive feedback from other Bolex owners, so perhaps this is just an unfortunate case where things didn’t go as expected.

 

Im attaching a couple of videos for everyone to share their opinion if they feel like it.

 

I would also love to find someone else that you could recommend to repair this camera, as it would mean a great deal to me.

 

Thank you

Nacho

 

 

 

 

[Tyler Purcell]

And you verified the battery source? That doesn't look like a camera problem to me. I have worked a lot on EBM's, this is not a typical symptom of an internal issue. 

[Dom Jaeger]

So you removed the front after testing it, because the light meter wouldn't retract? 

If you removed the front you essentially voided all responsibility from the repairer. There are electrical and mechanical connections going to the front that can cause an EL to fail if they get damaged or disconnected. There's also a light seal you broke. I think it's pretty standard protocol that you void warranties and responsibilty if you take things apart yourself. 

It's also very difficult for a repairer to accept a complaint several months after the camera was returned. 

How are you powering the camera?  This could easily be a power issue. 

[Matthew J. Walker]

If I follow you correctly, you suggest Jeff was the only camera technician who agreed to take a look at the camera, so you sent your Bolex from London, England to Du-All Camera here in New Jersey for repair around April 2025 before receiving it back in your possession in December. Upon initially testing your camera some couple months later, around early 2026, it ceased to "work." I presume you mean it fails to power on and/or operate altogether. You immediately removed the front portion of the Bolex in an attempt to free a potentially stuck light meter, in fear that the light meter was the cause of the camera's malfunction, either before or after sending Jeff a video displaying the camera's lack of functionality. When Jeff replied that he believed your tampering of the camera was the reason for the issue, you then felt slighted.

This raises questions, however. Did you specifically know what needed to be repaired prior to sending your Bolex to Du-All Camera, or were you unsure? Did Jeff ask you to send him your camera with the guarantee of fixing the camera or as an attempt to fix the camera? Did you continue correspondence with Jeff after he suggested that your tampering caused the camera's current issue? While, as you suggest, Du-All is very "direct," as one is in the NY/NJ area, their business has been repairing cameras for decades and are therefore incredibly unlikely to send a camera back without fixing it.

Personally, I have been to Du-All camera at both their former Manhattan, NY and current Westfield, NJ locations, where my Arriflex SRII Ni-Cd batteries were re-celled and its timing belt was replaced following a skipped tooth; I have also purchased 16mm film from them. Likewise, I have spoken to both Jeff and Steve on multiple occasions, during which they answered all my questions and explained to me–at the best of their ability–technical camera concepts, albeit I am not as talented as they have proven themselves to be. While I agree with you that the folks at Du-All Camera are not the most talkative, I likewise understand that they are a relatively small operation with a wide gamut of clients and priorities ranging from small to large.

When my aforementioned timing belt tooth skipped, parking the shutter in a position such that the viewfinder was obstructed when my camera was turned off, Du-All fixed it. As such, when the issue happened a second time following running the camera once again at high speed for many takes, they replaced my timing belt, but with a thicker-toothed belt. Steve explained to me that, if it skipped again, they'd accommodate me next time. Admittedly, shortly thereafter it skipped again due to running the camera at high speed, yet I will be going right back to Du-All camera when it is economical for me. Nonetheless, it's been so long since then, I cannot expect them to provide me with the same accommodation they once promised me. The important point here is, I understand what is causing the skipped tooth, it has nothing to do with their repair(s), and I don't expect them to follow-through with old promises after not communicating with them for many months.

This is not to say I do not understand your frustration, but I unfortunately do not know much about Bolex cameras. Otherwise, I would have also provided my opinion of your camera situation. But, both @Tyler Purcell and @Dom Jaeger have referenced power as a potential reason so I do think it would be wise to first eliminate the possibility of power issues before considering any additional course of action.

[Robin Phillips]

always test your gear when it comes back from the shop. its not only the way to ensure your repair was done right, and if there is a problem, checking immediately its also the only way for the tech/shop to have a reasonable belief that you are also acting in good faith. 

[Nacho Guzman]

Thank you, everyone, for the wide range of responses.

As expected, some of them have been quite passionate.

A few people seem to have missed the part where I explained that, after the repair, I did not receive any report, video, or email detailing what was wrong with the camera. The only communication I received was an email stating that the camera was working, along with an invoice. That was all.

There was also a brief email mentioning that the camera was in poor condition when it was first examined. That was it.

Power

I am using a 12V regulated V-lock plate, the same model sold at Du-All. I have tested it, and it provides a constant 12.01V. I asked Jeffrey if he could sell me the specific units they use for repairs, but that request was ignored. Perhaps the voltage should be lower—I did ask Jeffrey, but received no response. I would like to invite people to continue this power issue conversation.

Opening the Camera

The light meter getting stuck is a common issue with this camera. Removing the front cover does not affect its functionality; it simply provides better access to the window. There are no cables or mechanical components involved—just four screws to remove the lens mount. If this were to affect the warranty, it would not have been an issue for me, as it could otherwise take nearly a year for the camera to be inspected again.

Communication

My email exchanges with Jeffrey have been the most unpleasant aspect of this experience. At times, he has made me feel as though I am wasting his time.

For example, after I discovered that the camera was not working, this was the entirety of his response:

“I have no idea what’s going on with it. Not sure what to tell you. We sent it to you and it was working.”

Returns

I did request to send the camera back, on the condition that I would not have to wait another seven months. The response I received was a single line:

“Still pretty backed up, not sure how long it could take.”

Conclusion

I have had excellent experiences with Du-All in the past, particularly when purchasing second-hand equipment—they are very efficient in that area. I also understand that Bolex cameras are difficult to repair, and that there are very few people willing or able to work on them.

However, this has been my experience so far, and unfortunately, it has been extremely disappointing.

I am still waiting for a reply to my last email, sent on the 19th of February.

---

Im happy to continue the conversation about whos to blame for what or not, or how well Du-All performs as a company, but I would be extremely more interested in trying to solve the mystery of why this camera was working fine when leaving NJ, and now isnt in the UK. Im not sending the camera back, and I cant find anyone in Europe keen to have a look at it. So its likely that this camera might have seen its last days with me. And that would be very sad.

 

Any ideas are all welcome.

 

Thank you everyone

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Richard Tuohy]

HI Nacho, the thing is, it comes across as very bad form to post 'my bad experience with Du all ...'.  Yes, it is easy to see that you are disappointed and frustrated by your experience.  And I am sure the whole exercise cost you a lot of money with shipping both ways etc..  But the thing is, the internet doesn't forget.  Your post with that heading stays there for all time and will come up in people's searches.  It could be that they fixed the camera.  It could be that you broke it.  It could be that it got broken in transit.  It could be that they were curt to you because they were extremely busy and that is what they had time for.  It could be that they don't employ someone to massage communications.  It could be that your communication with them triggered their response.  Whatever the case, you can be pretty sure a business that you go online to bad mouth will not accept work from you again.  That is how that works.   And of course the thing is that naming the particular film repair company in question is not necessary with regards finding a way forward for your problem.   I do hope you find a resolution to fixing that camera by the way.
As is implied by your opening post, we all know that the work Du All do is important to film people across the globe.  Long may they continue!

[Dom Jaeger]

On 3/26/2026 at 12:37 AM, Nacho Guzman said:

The light meter getting stuck is a common issue with this camera. Removing the front cover does not affect its functionality; it simply provides better access to the window. There are no cables or mechanical components involved—just four screws to remove the lens mount. If this were to affect the warranty, it would not have been an issue for me, as it could otherwise take nearly a year for the camera to be inspected again.

In an EL there are definitely both electrical cables (supplying the light meter and the switch that communicates the light meter position) and mechanical components (a cable that connects a relay to the light meter retraction mechanism) going from the camera body to the front. If you removed the front, you may have damaged or disabled these connections, which would absolutely affect the camera function. If it was my repair, the warranty would be immediately voided. 

I’m also in total agreement with Richard. I think it’s poor form to make a post headline that will negatively affect a business for years, even though you yourself admit they have always given you good service until now. 

Du-All are one of very few reliable and experienced film camera service businesses left in the world.. if you value that experience please respect them enough to keep this private.

[Aristeidis Tyropolis]

I don't think there's any time or condition that is acceptable to be rude to anybody unless there's a life or death situation.

That said, you claimed they emailed you that:

On 3/25/2026 at 2:37 PM, Nacho Guzman said:

“I have no idea what’s going on with it. Not sure what to tell you. We sent it to you and it was working.”

This is laconic but not rude, it's the truth.

On 3/25/2026 at 2:37 PM, Nacho Guzman said:

“Still pretty backed up, not sure how long it could take.”

Also laconic but still speaking the truth.

I will give you that they should've written what they fixed - there's no justification for not explaining what was fixed after a repair is performed, whether that's a car, stereo, refrigerator, laptop, phone or a motion picture camera, the repair-person's job is to have a line item that explains what you done and what parts were changed, period - especially, if it's a specialty item.

But, I struggle to understand how is it possible to go through all that effort, delay and cost to get a camera repaired only to leave it untested for two months and afterwards claim that someone was unfair or rude to you where in fact they were simply honest.

I will agree with all the others that the post title and content is not justified by the events as you described them.

 

 

Edited March 28 by Aristeidis Tyropolis

[Nacho Guzman]

I’m starting to sense that the title of the post is causing some trouble for readers outside the UK.

For those saying that I’m being rude, I don’t think that’s the case. My experience wasn’t great — it wasn’t average or mild. It wasn’t horrible or tedious either. It was just not good, which translates into a bad experience. If you want to read beyond that, I’m not willing to go down that path with you.

I waited patiently for nearly a year. I paid the fees, and I’m exactly as I was at the beginning.

Quoting Aristeidis, it’s probably an “iconic post title — not rude, but the truth.”

The reason I didn’t have the chance to test the camera is because I was abroad for a while. I’ve explained this before. I’m attaching a video for Dom so he can see how far I went in trying to gain better access to the light meter. I fear you might have something different in mind. There are no electrical components. The spring that moves the sensor up and down is what usually gets stuck, and that can be easily fixed.

Thank you, Richard, for your words. I believe bad-mouthing is out of place in this case. Yes, all the “maybes” and “perhaps” you mentioned are very welcome in this situation. But I’m not here to take down Du-All. The intention of this post is to give a heads-up to all Electric Bolex users that these cameras are extremely difficult to repair. And even if Du-All, or someone else, manages to repair it (hopefully with a report), all those “maybes” and “perhaps” can still play a part in the process. So it’s worth thinking about all of this before spending the money.

I would love to hear other people comment on possible solutions. Feel free to keep sharing your thoughts regarding this bad experience. Hopefully, we’ll come across someone who has suffered the same situation and perhaps managed to solve it.

Thank you.

 

 

[Simon Wyss]

It is not good of a layman to remove the front because the flange-focal distance can be affected, it actually depends on the length of a number of parts between film and lens stacked together. If the meter lever gets stuck, it’s the technician’s duty to straighten that out.

On the customer’s side I should like to make clear that it’s very frustrating, to not say depressing for the tech, that an object isn’t received after repair. You could have agreed on a delivery date. One isn’t just not around with such a business. For me it’s like shouting an order up a stand, then walk away. That’s the rude part of the story.

But back to Bolex: Do not loosen any screw unless you are professionally trained in fine mechanics. For one these are semi-professional cameras at the max, rather amateur gear, and second they’re not well designed OF ALL THINGS when it comes to serviceability.

[Aristeidis Tyropolis]

4 hours ago, Nacho Guzman said:

The reason I didn’t have the chance to test the camera is because I was abroad for a while. I’ve explained this before.

That does not absolve one from the responsibility of checking what was received - that move alone was what was caused the issues for you - assuming you were there to at least receive it, you couldn't spare ten minutes to check if it's running?

Or at least ask Duall what was fixed (that one didn't even need your physical presence) or do anything any normal person would do after getting such a precious repair done after full whole year?

6 hours ago, Nacho Guzman said:

The intention of this post is to give a heads-up to all Electric Bolex users that these cameras are extremely difficult to repair.

If that intention was what you say it was why didn't you name the thread for example: "My challenges getting my Bolex fixed" or at least retract that post title.

I am not sure that I 100% doubt what was your intention, but for the hardworking people that operate that place your statements look a bit unfair toward them.

[Mark Dunn]

20 hours ago, Aristeidis Tyropolis said:

retract that post title.

Thread titles can't be edited on the forum. You can't even edit the post content after about 10 minutes.

Maybe ask Tim to do it. Or even can the whole thread.