Quote Originally Posted by Rol_Lei Nut View Post
1) Most mechanical cameras normally don't need new "parts" (apart from grease and foam every few decades), unless they get dropped or otherwise smashed.
This is usually correct. I used the same logic last week when someone asked about repairing an old clock.

My answer was that all of the parts of the clock are still there and are very unlikely to have worn out or broken. The most likely cause of failure would be similar to cameras. i.e. lubrication getting too thick or gummed up with dust.

EDIT: I'm an electronic engineer but I would choose a mechanical solution to something every time.