Hello all,
Hope someone can help with this. I have been collecting old cameras for a while and now want to start learning about camera repair. I am fairly confident that I can be self taught but need a few pointers! My first test case for the learni

 Whilst I have every confidence that you will succeed on the Sportsman, I do not think you will find many documents etc.
 
My advice would be to look at the repair articles available in the Favorite Classics section or search for good descriptive r

 I'd like to add one thing to Glenn's excellent advice...tools!
 
The biggest mistake I made when first starting to tinker was trying to make do with standard tools.  Oh I got the camera open, fixed and reassembled...but I left footprints, yo

 Quite correct Henry and when all said and done, tools are the most important aspect of the job.Remiss of me not to mention that aspect because nothing looks worse than jaw marks of pliers on chrome screw heads etc.
 
My first adjustable pin/lens r

 Thanks for the sound advice guys. Will definitely go the route Glenn suggested & expect I'll soon be purchasing some of Tomosy's books soon too.
 
One question while I'm here, regarding a Vest Pocket Autographic. Have just received it (l

 Before shelling out money for camera repair books, read through the book review section on this site.
 
All newbies (myself included) think all can be learned from books.  Sorry to burst your bubble, tinkering is a real hands-on experience.  The

 Oh, one other pitfall I forgot to mention.  Not all old cameras are broken.  Sometimes the well meaning tinkerer just doesn't know how it is supposed to operate.  He opens it up and says, Aw, that is how it works.
 
This is one of the reason

 Steve,
 
No you are not missing any glass in this case, I am sure of that. This type of construction was quite common and I have cameras with similar attributes. You soon get to know the signs of missing elements - a lot of retaining rings doing

 Steve,
 
I forgot to mention that somewhere in the archive is a link to a very informative article/instructions on how to make bellows. If you cannot find it contact me because I made a copy to use on the bench, thus I have authors details etc.

 Steve,  
 
I presume as you say your Vest pocket camera is Autographic that it must be a Kodak.  
 
I have a number of ancient Kodak Box Brownies and in every single one the single lens is behind the shutter. It seems to have been a standard de

 One other thing about tools notably screwdrivers, get good ones.  
Your got-the-cheapo-set from xyx's are probably not up to tight screws. My cheapo set from xyx left the tip of the screwdriver in a screw head and ummm made a mess of the head. I ha

 as noted above, VPA has an achromatic meniscus lens, mounted the original way, concave side facing the aperture.
 
I was just cleaning one & knocked something inside the shutter while cleaning the glass. It was the last thing to do & I