As much as london is a modern city, there are many wonderful Londoners out there preserving arts, like this analogue cinema, and we’d just discovered another spot that’s helping to promote old school photography.
At 89, Alex Falk owns Mr CAD, an independent vintage camera dealership in Pimlico that keeps film photography accessible in the city.
The shop is packed tightly with a massive inventory of photographic equipment. Shelves and display cases are crammed with cameras, lenses, lighting gear, and a dedicated fridge stocked with fresh rolls of film. For camera enthusiasts, there is almost nothing they could ask for that isn’t hiding somewhere inside the small store.
The story of Mr CAD
Falk’s career in the industry began in 1962 when he opened his first shop. Over the following decades, he franchised the business across London, eventually opening a location in Croydon that became the largest photographic shop in England.
The arrival of the digital era forced the business to change course. As demand for traditional film equipment contracted, Falk consolidated his operations. He moved the entirety of his remaining stock into the current, much smaller premises in Pimlico.
The result is a highly concentrated collection of equipment, or as Falk describes it, an unparalleled amount of “bits and pieces.” When a customer comes in asking for an obscure part, Falk can usually point directly to where it is stored.
Over 65 Years in photography
Falk’s connection to photography started when he received his first camera for his 13th birthday, which led to him becoming his school’s photographer. He attributes his longevity in the business for over 65 years to simply enjoying the process.
Today, Falk remains a fixture behind the counter, running the shop not for financial gain, but for the satisfaction of the work itself. For him, the daily routine of finding the right gear for customers is a source of pleasure and a way to continue helping out those who still rely on traditional film formats.
