Chen had more than ten apprentices but none of them engage in this business now. Yang Xiaoli became his apprentice three years ago and can repair some simple old cameras. Yang said that he is not professional now and needs continuous learning.

Some film cameras have over a thousand parts and many young people lack the patience to do the tedious maintenance and repair. Chen said that there are many film camera lovers asking him to repair and maintain cameras, but he has only one apprentice, Yang.