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Finding the camera parts you need for your D.I.Y repairs.
Whenever you start looking for replacement parts for old cameras you will likely find that the original manufacturer has long since given up stocking spares.
This still leaves a few options. If the camera is popular enough, and the part you need is frequently required, then you may be able to buy replacement parts made by a third-party. With the Retina models I deal with, you can find Retina IIIc type shutter cocking racks and Retina IIa type frame counter springs at Curt Fargo's "Micro-Tools" site along with various parts for other cameras. Another great site with many parts for cameras is this one at "Active Industries" .
The second option is to buy the same, or a very closely related, model of camera to act as an "organ donor". Dead cameras can often be bought on Ebay for around 20% of the price you would have to pay for supposedly good example. The challenge is to find one that doesn't have exactly the same part broken that you will need for your "transplant recipient".
The third option is to ask if another repairer has the right part in their spare parts boxes that they are willing to give, sell, or trade to you for something else. Here are the links to a couple of D.I.Y camera repair sites where you may find people who may be able to help you with advice, and perhaps the part that you need.
The Classic Camera Repair Forum.
Yahoo groups Camera-Fix Group.
The fourth option is to watch for auction lots of camera repair parts of the right type being sold on Ebay, or elsewhere, as a retiring camera repairman sells off his old stock. This is how I have generally bought most of the commonly used parts that I rely on for repairing cameras for myself and others. Buying parts this way will require a bigger initial outlay, as you will be buying the whole parcel of parts, not just the part you need for one particular repair job, but if you plan on repairing one particular brand of camera frequently, then the investment will make sense.