A professional camera is used in rain, in dust and on rigs, with cables plugged in and pulled out every day. The faults that follow are mostly at the edges: the HDMI or SDI port, the battery contacts, the card slot, the dials and buttons. The sensor and the electronics inside are more durable than the connectors people rely on.
Blue Apple repairs professional cameras in Amsterdam. The professional cameras page lists the brands we work with, what typical repairs cost and how to send us a request.
What usually goes wrong with professional cameras
- HDMI or SDI port fault. The most notorious weak point. A port that wobbles, drops the signal or has been pulled off the board by a heavy cable.
- Power board or battery contact fault. A camera that does not power on with a charged battery, or loses power when moved.
- Card or SSD slot fault. A slot that no longer reads a card that works elsewhere, or does not hold it.
- Button, dial or display fault. Dials that do not register, buttons that stick, or an LCD or EVF with lines or dead patches.
- Sensor fault. Stuck pixels, lines or a sensor that has been scratched or damaged. Cleaning dust is one thing; a damaged sensor is another.
- Overheating and shutdown. A camera that shuts down in cool conditions, or runs hot and refuses to record.
Brands and models we look at
These are the camera brands we list, and some of the models with their own pages, each with an estimate of what a typical repair costs.
Brands: Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic Lumix, Leica, Hasselblad, OM System, Blackmagic Design, RED Digital Cinema, ARRI, DJI, Atomos, Teradek.
Popular models: Sony Alpha 7 IV, Sony Alpha 7R V, Sony FX3, Canon EOS R5 Mark II, Canon EOS R6 Mark II, Nikon Z8, Fujifilm X-T5, Panasonic Lumix S5 II.
Repair or replace?
A port, a slot, a dial or a power board costs far less than a new body, and for a working professional it is faster than waiting for a new one. If the camera is still under manufacturer warranty, use that first. A damaged sensor on a high-end body is a bigger decision, and we give you an honest opinion after the diagnosis.
Looking after your camera
- Use cable relief clamps. A clamp takes the strain of a heavy HDMI cable instead of the port.
- Keep ports capped when not in use. Dust and moisture are what corrode contacts.
- Do not change lenses in the wind. Dust on the sensor is a problem that starts with a gust.
How a repair works at Blue Apple
The prices for these devices are estimates until we have seen them. Send a request with the model and what is wrong, and we tell you what a repair is likely to cost and how to get the device to us. The final price is confirmed in writing after the diagnosis, before any work starts. You can use the custom repair form, or call 020 239 11 93.
Common questions
Can you repair a loose HDMI port?
Often, yes. It is one of the most common repairs, and we tell you the cost after the diagnosis.
Do you repair cinema cameras and monitors too?
Yes, depending on the fault, from the brands on the professional cameras page.
In short
Ports, battery contacts, card slots, dials and sometimes the sensor are what we repair on professional cameras, and the diagnosis tells you what pays. See the professional cameras page for the models and repairs, or send us a request. You will find us at Rijnstraat 76-H in Amsterdam, and you can call 020 239 11 93 with a question first.
