Screws for Lenses?

So my Sigma 17-50 is still suffering but what can you expect from a lens that wasn't properly fixed and living the ship life on a practical daily basis. So, anyone know where I can order me some screws? They are really tiny, obviously and I don't have anyway to check on them really. Internet sucks, POTN is about the only smooth moving site (thank goodness) so I've come here to plead help!!!

Seriously, if anyone can help that would be great. The issue is plastic bits inside that the screws go through have broken. Looks like a screw snapped as well but if I get a longer version it'll go through the gap into the other side of the lens. I know this is hard without photos which is a big hard to provide but I thought I'ddescribe it anyhow.

Thanks for help!

-Nate

The only thing I could think of would be to contact an independent camera repair. Perhaps someone like C.R.I.S in Arizona.

Check that old pc in the basement, its full of tiny screws of all sizes.

_aravena wrote in post #14634549
They are really tiny, obviously and I don't have anyway to check on them really.

...and there's the problem. You can find very small metric screws, but how do you know what to ask for?

You can measure nominal diameter with a micrometer, but not with a dial caliper. (Well, you could get some reading with the caliper, but you'd be kidding yourself.)

The small screws I've seen in cameras are in the range of 1 to 2 mm diameter, and using this chart and a mic you can probably figure out what you have: http://www.tribology-abc.com/calculators/me​tric-iso.htm

But can you really tell the difference between a 1.2 mm and a 1.4 mm screw? (Never mind determining the thread pitch.) For that you need an optical comparator, a nifty instrument but I'm guessing you don't have one. Or want to pay for one.

You could buy an assortment of tiny metric screws and find a fit by trial and error. Be gentle.

Or you could go to a camera repair shop where they have the screw assortment at hand...


-js

I read the title as Screw for Lenses? and thought to myself "Wow, are POTNers really that desperate for glass?"

Thanks for the help guys. I've looks for camera shops when I pull into port but so far no techs to help me and just salesmen. I'm gonna go online more and yes, I've been meaning to pull out all the broken comps we have (Luck of being an IT) and check for similar screws. I've already went through the ET's big box of screws and actually couldn't find anything small enough so I lost hope.

Thanks again, I'll keep looking. I'm sending it in for repair, or getting a new one, with gov't money when I get back but I'd like it to last 4 more months.

Echo Johnson wrote in post #14640665
I read the title as Screw for Lenses? and thought to myself "Wow, are POTNers really that desperate for glass?"

You might well have had it right, if the title has the Plural form of the word... it indicates even greater desperation!

_aravena wrote in post #14642578
I've been meaning to pull out all the broken comps we have (Luck of being an IT) and check for similar screws.

The only place a P.C. I think might have screws small enough is inside the hard-drive assembly.

Your other option is go thru various lens parts catalogs and google the partnumbers to see if there are any suppliers of said screws (I couldn't see any catalogs sigma sourced so might have to use Canon ones!)

Buckets of parts catalogs here might get you started: http://www.f20c.com/st​uff/canon/partslist/

Try a watch doctor or optometrist.

When one of my cameras took a dive and broke the grip (basically stripped the threads out), my local optometrist was able to supply me a variety (& she gave them to me for free!!)

Most senior mechanics have both metric and SAE thread pitch gauges and calipers to determine the screw size. Talk to one of them for assistance.

Not sure when you'll be back but if you still have the problem when you return I have the number for a guy here in Tidewater who apparently is very good at camera/lenses repair. When Richmond Camera gets a camera in for repair it's him who they send it to

another vote for the watch repair guys. Another source with great service is a company I use to restock my nuts and bolts and cutting tools called Fastenall. Very motivated to help anyone that asks for help, and they will either have it or can get it.

Another often used technique is to see what tap will easily fit the hole, but it is risky in plastic. best of luck, those tiny little buggers can be a pain in the arse.

I had issues before finding small screws for various things, including lenses. I went down to my local Fastenal store and they hooked me up every time. Take what you need a screw for and they will measure and order.

AvailableLight wrote in post #14643556
Not sure when you'll be back but if you still have the problem when you return I have the number for a guy here in Tidewater who apparently is very good at camera/lenses repair. When Richmond Camera gets a camera in for repair it's him who they send it to

Really? Awesome! I would love to find someone local when I get back. I'm going to check some watch places. Google is my friend but SHF is not.

_aravena wrote in post #14647771
Really? Awesome! I would love to find someone local when I get back. I'm going to check some watch places. Google is my friend but SHF is not.

I PM'd you the info.