Photographic Equipment Technicians

TRENDS

Cameras and associated photographic equipment have become easier to use in 
recent years thanks to electronically driven shutters, lenses and other 
mechanisms within still cameras, movie and television cameras and camcorders.
As the task of taking pictures has been greatly simplified, the internal 
workings of even simple cameras have grown increasingly complex with 
electronic circuitry and precision mechanical parts.

Cameras, especially those for 35 millimeter or larger film formats, are using
electronic features such as sophisticated automatic light and flash metering,
motor-driven film advances, electronic focusing, and automated aperture and 
shutter adjustments.


THE JOB

PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT TECHNICIANS keep cameras, lenses, projectors, and 
other photographic equipment in good repair.  Employed by independent repair 
shops, equipment manufacturers, or retailers, they dismantle cameras and 
clean, adjust, and repair all types of photographic equipment.

In small shops, workers usually repair a variety of equipment.  In larger 
shops and those located in a manufacturing facility work may be more 
specialized according to the type and make of equipment to be serviced.

Technicians first determine the nature and extent of damage to the equipment.
This involves reviewing the service work order which contains a description 
of the apparent problem, performing an inspection to identify the specific 
damage, and taking the item apart to look for broken or damaged parts.

After repairs have been made, the equipment is reassembled, synchronized, 
adjusted, and tested to meet manufacturer specifications.

Repair tools include small hand tools such as jewelers' screw drivers, files,
wrenches, soldering instruments, microscopes and micrometers, precision 
testing instruments and gauges.  Testing instruments such as digital 
voltmeters, optical measuring devices, electronic  timers and mechanical 
testing devices are used by technicians in checking cameras of all types.

Many shops will also repair and service movie and slide projectors, video 
cameras, electronic flash units, and other types of photographic and 
audiovisual equipment.  However, more complex repair problems will usually 
mean shipping the defective item to the manufacturer or a regional service 
center which is more likely to have the proper equipment and parts to 
complete the repair work.

In laboratories and other scientific and engineering facilities, technicians 
modify and service photographic equipment that is used for special purposes. 
They modify or redesign equipment using machine tools such as the drill 
press, grinder, and gear cutters in addition to standard photographic testing
instruments and tools.

These workers are also employed by camera manufacturers, colleges and 
universities, school districts, Research laboratories, medical centers, and 
other organizations that use photographic equipment.

Those who service video and motion picture cameras and equipment are 
employed by motion picture studios, independent producers, television 
stations and networks, manufacturers, and equipment sales and rental 
companies.  Technicians are often responsible for explaining repair work to 
customers.  In many shops they must be able to discuss repair cost estimates 
and explain the proper use of the equipment.  They may also be responsible 
for maintaining parts inventories by ordering parts and supplies from 
manufacturers and wholesalers.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Most repair work is conducted in shops located in and around large 
metropolitan areas.  Some camera stores in outlying communities maintain 
small repair staffs, sending more difficult work to manufacturer service 
centers or to larger repair shops.  Most repair shops are small; a repair 
staff of ten is considered large.  Shops are neat and orderly with good 
lighting and ventilation, well-spaced workbenches and conveniently located 
testing devices and power equipment.  Because of the delicate nature of the 
equipment, shops should be free of dust and other airborne materials.


WAGES, HOURS AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Skilled technicians with three to five years of experience make from $9.00 to
$17.00 per hour.  Some technicians are paid by the work completed rather than
on an hourly rate.  Others may be paid a certain percentage of the shop rate,
for example, from 40 percent to 50 percent of the rate charged to the 
customer.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that workers in photographic equipment
and supplies earned an average of $14.66 an hour in 1993.

Some repairers receive vacation and health benefits, but usually these are 
employees of manufacturers or larger repair shops.  A 40-hour workweek is 
normal, although some overtime may be required.  In some shops, the workweek 
may extend into some evening and Saturday work.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information if from the California Projections of Employment 
published by the Labor Market Information Division.  These figures represent 
the broad occupational group Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers 
which includes Photographic Equipment Technicians.

Estimated number of workers in 1990               540
Estimated number of workers in 2005               750
Projected Growth Percentage 1990-2005             39%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005     210

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)

A projected increase of over 200 new jobs combined with the estimated 210 
workers leaving the work force will result in nearly 400 net job openings in 
California by the year 2005 in the same occupational group.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

Employers prefer to hire fully qualified technicians who have from three to 
five years of experience.  Applicants without experience must have training 
in photographic equipment repair or have a strong background in high school 
physical sciences and electronics theory.  While knowledge of electronics is 
important, mechanical aptitude and the ability to comprehend technical 
manuals and blueprints, as well as the temperament to do precision hand work,
are musts.

Trainees should be patient and persistent workers to do this meticulous 
indoor work.  They must also be able to communicate well and get along with 
customers.  They should also be able to write legibly.  There are private 
vocational schools which teach photographic equipment repair and courses 
which may be available in some community colleges.

Training in the armed forces is another avenue into this occupation; however,
some general civilian experience or training may be necessary since military
photographic work may specialize on specific types of equipment.  Another way
technicians can learn their skills is with on-the-job training.  Some courses
are also available from correspondence schools, but the value of training may
be limited because of the lack of actual equipment on which to practice.


ADVANCEMENT

Technicians working for manufacturers or who are employed in large shops may 
become supervisors or managers.  Some may promote to jobs involving the 
servicing of larger or more complex equipment.  Few locally-owned repair 
shops are large enough to require supervisory help; therefore, increasing 
skill in this craft is recognized by raises in salaries rather than promotion.

Photographic Equipment Technicians can sometimes improve their salaries by 
changing to jobs of greater scope in related fields such as instrument design
and testing, video service and installation, and audio-visual equipment 
design in industry and government.  Making this type of job change would 
require additional training necessary to learn the new skills.  Repairers may
also go into business for themselves, but the startup costs for equipment may
range as high as $15,000.


FINDING THE JOB

Recruitment of experienced workers and trainees usually results from 
referrals from employees, other employers, or equipment dealers.  Job seekers
should apply directly to employers, contact the placement centers maintained 
by technical schools and colleges, Research the classified section of local 
and financial newspapers, or register with the Workforce Services Offices of the 
California Employment Development Department.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

National Association of Photo Equipment
Technicians 3000 Picture Place
Jackson, MI  49201
(517) 788-8100

Society of Photo-Technologists
6535 S. Dayton, Suite 2000
Englewood, Co.  80111
(303) 799-0678


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

PHOTOGRAPHERS                     No.  51
Optical Laboratory Technician/
Optical                           No.  97
Dispensing Optician               No. 167
Photofinishing Occupations        No. 245
Instrumentation Technicians       No. 485


OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Photographic Equipment Technician       714.281 022

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics)System
Camera & Photographic Equipment Repairers    859140

Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department,
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162.