At Camera House, we’ve somehow collected a team with a wild range of specialties — from photo restoration and camera repairs, to black & white darkroom chemistry wizardry and an almost suspicious amount of camera knowledge. Between us, there’s not much we haven’t fixed, processed, or argued about over a cuppa. Sam and Brendan have been part of the Camera House crew in one form or another for nearly 18 years (yeah… O_o). And of course, there's Phillip — our mysterious in-house frog. He doesn’t say much, but he’s always watching.

What’s the one camera you never leave the house without?

I normally have a Mju or Canon sure shot A1 in the glove box.

🟡 Which camera would you dive into lava to save?

Pentax 6x7 with 105 and grip, of course.

🟡 Strangest place you’ve ever loaded a roll of film?

Good question, but I don’t think I’ve loaded a camera somewhere that odd. A boat? A car? A plane? Nothing too wild.

🟡 What film do you have in your camera right now?

Lost track. I’ve always got a roll of Kodak BW400CN in at least one camera.

🟡 Do you plan your shots or shoot from the hip and hope for the best?

I wish I could plan, but it's just not in my nature.

🟡 How’s your film stash looking right now? Hoarder-level or survival rations?

Total film hoarder. I can’t bring myself to shoot that last roll of Superia 1600.

🟡 Are you a camera hoarder or a camera slut?

Major camera hoarder.

🟡 What camera are you low-key embarrassed to love?

Braun Paxette — first camera I learned to shoot with, no light meter. Was mostly Sunny 16, and somehow every shot came out perfectly exposed.

🟡 What’s the one camera you never leave the house without?

I've started shooting digital recently. My A6000 with a pancake lens comes with me everywhere I go.

🟡 Which camera would you dive into lava to save?

Probably my Mamiya RB67, it feels like my own child.

🟡 Strangest place you’ve ever loaded a roll of film?

An abandoned hospital in the middle of the night.

🟡 What film do you have in your camera right now?

There's always expired Fuji 220 film in my RB.

🟡 Do you plan your shots or shoot from the hip and hope for the best?

I see everything in my head before I take it (but it's never as cool as I imagine it)

🟡 How’s your film stash looking right now? Hoarder-level or survival rations?

Big hoarder, I've taken the entire vegetable drawer in the fridge.

🟡 Are you a camera hoarder or a camera slut?

Everything has a unique use and purpose... Definitely not a hoarder...

🟡 What camera are you low-key embarrassed to love?

My receipt printer camera (shaped like a bunny) has been the most fun I've had with a camera in a long time.

🟡 What’s the one camera you never leave the house without?

Canon P.

🟡 Which camera would you dive into lava to save?

I don’t know if I would — there’s not a single camera worth diving into lava for.

🟡 Strangest place you’ve ever loaded a roll of film?

On a snowboard.

(I don’t snowboard at all.)

🟡 What film do you have in your camera right now?

HP5.

🟡 Do you plan your shots or shoot from the hip and hope for the best?

Both.

🟡 How’s your film stash looking right now? Hoarder-level or survival rations?

A fridge full of film.

🟡 Are you a camera hoarder or a camera slut?

I don’t have too many cameras... more of a hoarder.

🟡 What camera are you low-key embarrassed to love?

Lubitel — it’s a piece of shit, but I can trash it, and the images I’ve taken on it are cool.

🟡 What’s the one camera you never leave the house without?

I always leave the house without a camera. (Dash cam.)

🟡 Which camera would you dive into lava to save?

Fuji ST901 — biggest viewfinder Fuji made, and it’s got LEDs. It’s amazing.

🟡 Strangest place you’ve ever loaded a roll of film?

Pumpkin patch.

🟡 What film do you have in your camera right now?

I always have something loaded... but I never know what it is.

🟡 Do you plan your shots or shoot from the hip and hope for the best?

I plan every MacKay House photo.

🟡 How’s your film stash looking right now? Hoarder-level or survival rations?

Survival ration.

They just don’t make any films I like anymore.

The original Superia — that fourth colour layer really made a difference.

Agfa Vista was nice. Can’t get that anymore.

🟡 Are you a camera hoarder or a camera slut?

More of a collection than a hoard. There’s a theme to it.

🟡 What camera are you low-key embarrassed to love?

I’m not embarrassed by any that I like. It’s just everyone else is an idiot for not liking them.