Who is Jimmy Koh?
by Dan Wagner
Jimmy Koh, of Koh’s Camera
Located in a small nondescript North Bellmore, Long Island, NY strip mall, Jimmy Koh, proprietor of Koh’s Camera is one of the few remaining Rollei-trained repairmen in the world. For years I’ve brought my Rolleiflex cameras to this cheery, humble, talented man for CLA’s (clean, lubricate, and adjust), and more involved repairs. And without fail, Jimmy has always been able to diagnose and fix the cameras quickly and professionally.
Jimmy Koh Examining a Rolleiflex 2.8f Camera
Beside repairs – which Jimmy has been scaling back on due to age – he also sells Rolleiflex, Leica, Hasselblad, Bronica, and modern digital cameras, along with hard-to-find vintage accessories. Whenever I visit Jimmy, he’s always-busy fielding calls, and unpacking boxes of newly sourced vintage gear from all over the globe. Even if I don’t need anything, it’s always worth the trip to see Jimmy’s newest treasures, and tap into his encyclopedic camera knowledge.
Looking at Jimmy’s personal collection of pristine vintage Rollei cameras (clearly his favorite) is like visiting a museum. Mementos from his past – from camera repair training certificates to photos of Jimmy with fellow repairmen from the 1970s – and camera memorabilia decorate the store. But even better than memorabilia, is the man himself. After coming to this realization, I decided the time had finally come to take some photos of Jimmy in his store and ask, “Who is Jimmy Koh?”
DW: Jimmy, thanks for fixing many of my Rolleiflex cameras over the years. I’m grateful for this opportunity to learn more about you. How old were you when you decided to become a camera repairman?
JK: It was around 1965. Right after I graduated from school.
DW: What led you to become a camera repairman?
JK: Originally, I’m from Singapore. I began my training as a repairman in my older brother’s large camera repair shop. He did warranty work for companies such as Linhoff, Hasselblad, and Leica. In 1970, Rollei opened a factory in Singapore. And that led to my training at the Rollei factory in Germany.
DW: How did the Singapore and German factories differ?
JK: Both factories were large, but the Singapore one was eventually bigger. Smaller cameras such as the Rollei SL35 were made in Singapore. They often made 700 of these cameras per day. I don’t know where they all went. The 120 cameras such as the Rolleiflex 2.8f and other models were made in Germany.
DW: What was your camera repair training at the Rollei Braunschweig, Germany factory like? And did you enjoy living in Germany?
JK: Rollei Singapore sent me to Germany to become an expert twin lens camera repairman. They paid my salary, living expenses, and other costs. Every day I would practice taking apart, fixing, and assembling the 2.8f and 3.5f models. I was there from March 4, 1971 through February 23, 1973. The training involved visiting every department, including the optics-grinding department. I enjoyed living there very much.
Braunschweig is a 30-minute drive from Hanover, Germany. And from there, it’s a 45-minute flight to Frankfurt. Hanover is a very nice place.
DW: Were you married at that time?
JK: No. I didn’t get married until 1976.
DW: What did you do after you left Germany in 1973?
JK: I went back to Singapore, and worked in the Rollei service department. I also helped train the repairmen from Australia, Japan, and other areas. We had a total of six people in our repair department. Each person specialized in different model Rollei cameras, such as the Rolleiflex SL66. When repair work was slow, we helped with the manufacturing.
DW: When did you leave Singapore?
JK: In 1977, Nikon took over the Rollei distributorship. They needed an instructor to teach the US repairmen how to fix Rollei cameras. I was asked to come to the US in March of that year.
Koh’s Camera Store 2662 Jerusalem Ave. North Bellmore, NY 11710
DW: What was working for Nikon like?
JK: I worked at Nikon’s Garden City and Westbury, Long Island facilities. The salary wasn’t that great. That’s why I only stayed there for one-and-a-half years. And in addition, Nikon decided they wanted to stop supporting Rollei and only service their own products.
Due to my contract with Nikon, I had to switch over to repairing Nikon products. I left soon after to work for Bronica.
DW: When did you open up your camera store?
JK: In 1988, I officially opened my first store in Hicksville, Long Island. But from 1980 through 1988 I was repairing cameras from home. I sub-contracted repairs for Atlantic Camera, Armato’s Repair, Ken Hansen Camera, Park Avenue Camera, and many others. I was very busy. That’s how I was able to build my business. I still have dozens of notebooks filled with every repair job I did.
DW: What do you think of Rolleiflex TLR cameras?
JK: The Rolleiflex is a great camera. It’s always very sharp and reliable.
DW: If you had it to do over, what would you change about your career?
JK: I never think of that. I enjoy fixing cameras, because it’s also my hobby.
DW: Jimmy, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you. Thank you!
JK: You’re welcome!
I hope meeting Jimmy Koh has inspired you. Thanks for visiting The Cranky Camera!