Barn Owl Cameras on Pause? Jim Kilroy has passed.

As some on here may be aware, Jim Kilroy of Barn Owl Cameras is ill and things at his business have got a bit untethered. Some have had cameras and lenses with him for months and communication has steadily gotten more spotty and infrequent. I have a camera with Jim. Today I did manage to get ahold of someone who is close to him and have some info to share.

In the coming week or so, a plan will be made to communicate with those who have gear with Barn Owl. If requested, those who have gear with Barn Owl will likely be able to get their gear back within a reasonable time that gives consideration to Jim’s current priorities. Jim won’t be the only one working on this. Things are on pause right now with the business so I think it best to wait to send in anything to be looked at.

It was good to talk with this person on the phone, a lot of info was shared with care and empathy. I hope Jim and family can get health reined in.

Hi, I want to give an update as I am in regular contact with the family. The website is currently down for an update in regards to the status of repairs and any new ones that might be coming in. Jim and family will be getting back to people this week and can update the status of the repairs and address any requests to have equipment returned. All equipment is safe in Jim's shop and family is there as well.

Thanks for updating! It's comforting for those who have equipment in his shop that someone's seeing to it. At the same time, it's of course a worrying situation. Please convey best wishes to Jim and his family on behalf of Photrio; we've never been in touch, but anyone pushing the big cart of film photography is on the same team.

Wishing Jim the best.

They have now updated the website, it’s pretty transparent so it’s time to focus on sending good vibes Jim’s way:

Hoping for good news. Best Regards

For clarity, the website announcement details some important health concerns for Jim Kilroy, and reassures people concerning the security of their equipment.
I've never used Jim's services, but I'll pass on my best wishes.

Very sad update on the website today, it looks like Jim will sadly pass away in a matter of hours to days at the most:

This is truly terrible news.

A few years back, it took forever to get my Mamiya 7 CLAed (we all know who that would have been!) I decided in the meantime to buy a Blad, figuring I could eventually sell it for nearly what I paid for it. I wanted to buy it from someone who could service it, and Jim lived only 2 hrs drive away.

After we agreed on the equipment, I rode up and spent the entire day with him. He broke down the Blad and serviced it in front of me. Turns out his brother and sister went to the college where I teach, and we gabbed and gabbed and gabbed. Jim was not like those sibblings, who followed more conventionally aspirational paths. Jim stayed at home, doing construction and odd jobs. IIRC, his then-girl friend surprised him with a birthday present: to train with David Odess. Jim proudly showed me David's own sets (there were two I believe) of Hasselblad repair tools.

I ended up keeping the Blad and selling the Mamiya.

We stayed in touch since. He's worked on my cameras, and I've sent others to him for repairs of Hasselblads and Rolleiflexes. At one time, I was thinking of buying a Rollei SL66, and he reminded me of how many moving parts they have. Despite it being a truly lust worthy camera, I then passed on it. I would have followed Jim's advice about pretty much anything. He was cut from a different cloth. A mountain of a man. I only hope that he had a recent opportunity to do some hiking and camping in the nearby hills that he loved so very much.

I am sad beyond expression and offer his family my deepest, deepest condolences.

bags27 said:

This is truly terrible news.

A few years back, it took forever to get my Mamiya 7 CLAed (we all know who that would have been!) I decided in the meantime to buy a Blad, figuring I could eventually sell it for nearly what I paid for it. I wanted to buy it from someone who could service it, and Jim lived only 2 hrs drive away.

After we agreed on the equipment, I rode up and spent the entire day with him. He broke down the Blad and serviced it in front of me. Turns out his brother and sister went to the college where I teach, and we gabbed and gabbed and gabbed. Jim was not like those sibblings, who followed more conventionally aspirational paths. Jim stayed at home, doing construction and odd jobs. IIRC, his girl friend surprised him with a birthday present: to train with David Odess. Jim proudly showed me David's own sets (there were two I believe) of Hasselblad repair tools.

I ended up keeping the Blad and selling the Mamiya.

We stayed in touch since. He's worked on my cameras, and I've sent others to him for repairs of Hasselblads and Rolleiflexes. At one time, I was thinking of buying a Rollei SL66, and he reminded me of how many moving parts they have. Despite it being a truly lust worthy camera, I then passed on it. I would have followed Jim's advice about pretty much anything. He was cut from a different cloth. A mountain of a man. I only hope that he had a recent opportunity to do some hiking and camping in the nearby hills that he loved so very much.

I am sad beyond expression.

Click to expand...

This has me literally tearing up. I talked to him on the phone at length one day a few years back and recently with one of his best friends and then his sister Anne recently, all really, really nice down to earth people.

At the very least I will be sending flowers to his place.

For those of you not aware, or have had slow responses from Jim on your Hasselblad or Rolleiflex repair, he has been very ill and only has hours or a few days left.

The family has posted an update on his main website describing his illness and equipment he has in his inventory for repair.




Jim had taken over for David Odess after he passed away and did some stellar work for many of us, including my 2 lenses.

Ai Print said:

This has me literally tearing up. I talked to him on the phone at length one day a few years back and recently with one of his best friends and then his sister Anne recently, all really, really nice down to earth people.

At the very least I will be sending flowers to his place.

Click to expand...

I'm sure the family will greatly appreciate that, as they will all your help here.

Reported elsewhere earlier. Even though I don’t know him and never used his service, a sad turn of events.

As per his sister Anne a moment ago, Jim Kilroy has passed. Peace and light to the entire family.

Rest in peace and best wishes to all who knew him.

Thread title updated and threads merged.
Condolences to his family and friends.

Thanks to Ai Print and others for reporting. This is a painful, bitter loss. He was a really, really good guy and way too young.

Ohw, this is really sad for sure; sorry to hear this.