Melbourne's Camera Clinic to close

Camera Clinic, one of the last remaining dedicated camera repair businesses in Australia, is set to close in April. 

A third generation family business run by the Rogers family, Camera Clinic had been based in Collingwood for 50 years. The business was founded by Laurie Rogers, and is currently run by his daughter Nicki and son Wayne.

An announcement last week on Camera Clinic's Facebook page confirmed the business will close, effective 1 April.

‘It is now with much reflection and much sadness that the Rogers family has decided to close the doors on our much-loved Camera Clinic.’ the statement said, with Covid cited as a major contributor to the decision. 

'The struggle and on going effects of continual lockdowns over the past two years has had a major impact on our business and that of many of our clients,' the statement continued. 

'We came into 2022 with strength and passion, however the realisation that our customers had not returned to their working lives and understandably our staff too had altered their work life balance.'

'Over the last challenging years in our business and family life we that we need to accept the unnavoidable circumstances and prioritize the importance of family.'

The company stated it plans to cease taking in the majority of work from April 1, but plans to honour its six-month warranty for repairs. It will also continue to work as a certified repairer for Leica Australia, while also honouring its service agreement with Protog and Vitec, and financial year service agreement with the Victorian Police.

The company stated it will also continue to carry out sensor cleans by appointment, while Imaging by Design, the sister company of the business that carries out camera array modifications and infrared conversions, among other specialised tasks, will continue trading as usual.