Every camera we sell goes through a bench check before it's listed — shutter speeds tested across all marked speeds, meter verified where fitted, seals inspected for light leaks, film advance and rewind confirmed. The Nikon F3 HP gets its finder checked for prism rot. The Hasselblad 500C/M gets its dark slide, film back, and mirror damper looked at. If something is off, it goes in the condition report. We don't list cameras as 'sold as-is' unless we say so plainly.

We use Excellent, Very Fine, Fine, and Good. Excellent means a clean, fully functional example with cosmetics consistent with careful use — no brassing through to base metal, no fungus in the glass, no dents. Very Fine means light wear. Fine means honest user wear — marks, small scuffs, nothing that affects function. Good means it works but shows its age. Every listing names the grade and explains it in a short written note. The grade is what you get.

Yes. We stock Kodak T-Max 400 in 5-roll packs and Ilford HP5 Plus in 10-roll packs, along with a rotating selection of colour and specialty stocks. Film is stored refrigerated and dispatched cold-packed for longer journeys. If you're buying a camera and film together, we pack them in the same box and the shipping is one charge.

Yes, within 14 days of receipt. If the piece doesn't match the written condition report — and by that I mean the grade, not a subjective preference — send it back and we cover the return postage. We ask you to photograph the discrepancy before repackaging. Refund goes out within three working days of the item arriving back here. We've had very few disputes because the condition notes are written to hold up, not to sell the camera.

We ship insured across the UK, EU, the EU, and Norway. Every parcel is declared at full value — we don't undervalue to save on duty, because that voids the insurance. EU buyers may face import VAT depending on their country's threshold; that sits with the buyer. Cameras are double-boxed and padded to a standard that makes couriers uncomfortable. Tracking is provided on every order. If a parcel is lost or arrives damaged, we handle the claim — you don't chase the courier yourself.

Three steps. Email us photographs — exterior, glass, shutter curtain, base plate, and any box or papers you have. We review within 48 hours and come back with a written offer valid for five business days. If you accept, we send a pre-paid insured label. Once the camera arrives and bench-checks against your description, payment goes out within two working days. We also part-exchange if you're looking to move up or sideways. The Leica M6 Classic is something we know well and buy regularly.

The OM-1 runs on a 1.35V mercury cell that's no longer made. We calibrate each one to run accurately on a modern 1.55V silver-oxide equivalent — either with a resistor-adjusted adapter or by checking the meter against a known reference and noting any exposure compensation needed. That detail is in every OM-1 listing. Depends on the individual body, so check the condition note rather than assuming.

Mechanical cameras are complex and we're honest about that. Every camera we sell carries a 90-day functional warranty — if a fault develops that wasn't disclosed in the condition report, we repair or replace it. This covers shutter failure, meter failure, advance mechanism failure. It doesn't cover damage from mishandling, water ingress, or batteries left to corrode inside the body. If you're not sure whether something is covered, email us and we'll tell you straight.