Contax II shutter springs lower roller

[lewfox]

After months of "learning experience" , the score is camera 200 : lew zippo, I now need a spring for the shutter as the one in the camera is distorted beyond repair.
It is discribed as .25mm wire 18 mm long 70 turns 45 mm od.
So far I found that I can get 100 made for $850(I don't think I will do that).
Anyone have any sources other than find another parts camera?
Also not sure wether it is right or left wound.
Thanks for any help (or offers to buy a box of 1936 Contax parts)
I am pretty close to throwing in the towel.
lew

 

[rfaspen]

I don't know if you already knew this, but the FSU Kiev's are essentially identical to contax. Non functional Kievs are quite inexpensive....buy em in bulk. They will contain the part you seek.

 

[lewfox]

Thanks fot the tip

 

[Highway 61]

I can confirm that the Kiev spring will allow you to fix your prewar Contax shutter. Yet, you need to grab a spring in good shape, of course. But Kiev springs are younger than Contax ones, so it's likely to be an easy and successful hunt.
I would say that the two thirds of all original Contax shutters are now in need of a replacement spring (mostly taken off Kiev shutter units, those being the main source for that), but for Contax cameras which haven't been used - or almost not - since they left the factory.

 

[lewfox]

Bought one (Kiev)cheap, postage more than camera ... thanks again

 

[Grytpype]

Don't attempt to change the spring itself (you will find it impossible). Change the whole spindle.

From the specification you gave for the spring, I deduce that you have Peter Tooke's Contax repair book. This is a very bad book, full of misinformation. Don't rely on it for anything!

 

[Highway 61]

Don't attempt to change the spring itself (you will find it impossible). Change the whole spindle.

Good point and, of course, YES, this is the whole spindle which has to be replaced with the Kiev one. Never ever take the "new" spring off its spindle !

For this you just need to unglue the leather pad (being a brake actually) around the spindle, to remove the clip being underneath the leather, to unscrew the spindle end caps set screws, to remove the caps and then unslide the Contax curtain off its original spindle, then re-slide it into the Kiev spindle, and reassemble the whole unit.

At this point, you might want to replace the original 90 years old leather pad (brake) with a new one, custom cut off a fresh goat leather piece, whatever the color you have at hand. The Kiev one is made of felt and is likely to be in so-so condition.

BTW, fitting new shutter ribbons in place before stitching them at the lower point of the shutter unit is way easier with the spindle end caps removed.