Which Russian?

[womble]

Hi all,

as some of you will have noticed, I am a Pentax man for my 35mm lenses and cameras. Sticking firmly (well almost!) to one brand is one way of keeping GAS/LBA addiction under control!

I would like to try, at least for a while, a rangefinder. As I am not really ever going to buy one of those ones with a red dot on them, I am very tempted to try a Russian copy of that famous brand. Choosing which one to go for is more complicated than I had anticipated though! The FED 4 seems a good bet?

Any suggestions of which body/lens combination would be a good start are most welcome. I want to use this beast, not admire it, and I am happy to use my external lightmeter. Any recommended vendors? What prices should I be looking at?

Many thanks indeed. Kris.

[martinsmith99]

Well, I have a lete version of a FED2 and I'm happy with it. The wide base was the selling point for me.

[Nesster]

Kris, basically it's a matter of learning which models added which (more modern) feature - ie. 'normal' film loading, or lever wind... In general, I've found Zorkis have larger view finders but less distinct rf patches, admittedly this is based on very few samples, while Feds have smaller view finders but every Fed I've looked through the RF patch was clear and distinct. For what that's worth

I ended up with a Fed 3 because it has normal film loading and a lever wind, and is still sort of cute... the Fed 2 is cooler looking, definitely


OTH - the viewfinders are strictly 50mm on these Russians, so if you intend to use other focal lengths you'll need an aux view finder... But if the normal lens will keep you, there are lots of very good fixed lens RF's from Japan, with and without metering and with excellent to interesting lenses: Konica, Yashica, Minolta etc etc

[trev]

Myself, I'd go for a copy of the Contax rf

[Attila]

Most important I think buy from a photographer who is clearly declare camera was tested with film and in perfect working order.

I bought three FED-2 in last months.

1) In perfect working order, with light leak.
2) Works , no light leak , but all speed are slow
3) All speed slow I don't know yet light leaks.

So I have three camera and none of them usable well.

It was not a big deal due I paid little and lenses are really perfect.

I have to select one and pay CLA'd cost or still hunting for a good working copy.

[fish4570]

everyone says buy a CLA'd one from oleg tritiak. if you google "oleg cameras fed" you can find his web site. or buy one from fedka that his staff has cla'd. it will be more excpensive but will be shipped from chicago rather than ukraine.
i have a fed-2 that was cla'd by fedka. it is a smooth running machine.

[F16SUNSHINE]

I apoligize in advance for going off topic. My experience with Russian LTM copies is not good. They are POS compared to other options.
If you want to make photographs and not tinker too much buy a Fixed lens Japanese RF.
As Nesster notes the VF is going to be for 50mm anyway which will hold most to using a standard lens or external vf's.
My experience so far is that a $50-$100 Canon QL17 or Yashica Electro will make better photos with less hassle.
The lens on that Canon is every bit of a 40mm Summicron of the same era.

The Yashica lens will give you a different character as will the larger Aperture AE body.

Both are excellent and if you find a good working copy will be usable straight away.

Konica Auto S2 is another excellent option.

[Nesster]

...and yet, there's the hair shirtedness of the FSU, the focal plane shutter and random light leaklets that bring joy to an otherwise worry free life

After I bought the Fed 3, I thought about it for a month. I realized the only way the purchase was going to make sense was for me to buy a Jupiter 12. Then hunt down a cheap auxiliary finder. Then take a couple of rolls with that kit.

I just sold the J-12 and repaired a leaky curtain on my Fed. Essentially, the camera with repair as performed will be worth maybe $20. I still intend on using this once a year...

High maintenance and field repairs - that's part of the fun you get for your money here

[Attila]

I did try many fixed RF cameras, even if result is very good I enjoy more Russian RF cameras. I have better feeling when use them than when I use plastic competitors Leica feeling

[womble]

Anybody had dealing with fedka.com based in New York? They seem to have some reasonable prices.

K.

[F16SUNSHINE]

If you are absolutely set on torturing yourself then pick up a Keiv 4 with a J3

[martinsmith99]

I have FED2 with J12, J11, J9, J8 & I26m. I also have Vivitar 35ES & Canonet QL17 Giii

For features the Canonet is the best, for handling the Viv & Canonet are the best. For images the Canonet and the Vivitar are best. For reliability the Viv & Canonet again are the best.

For pleasure of using and character, the FED2 easily wins. I bought mine CLA'd and it works ok.

I the last sentence means nothing to you, don't buy Russian.

[womble]

Well, my lady love purchased for my Christmas present a very nice FED2 with a 5cm/f2.8 Industar 26m lens. First impression is that it is a very nice camera to use: solid and pretty easy to focus. I am running a roll of Kodak BW400CN through it to make sure everything is OK. The only hiccup so far was when the viewfinder went all blurry. I hadn't realised the little lever under the rewind knob was a dioptre adjustment.

Providing the film comes back OK, looks like I have a new toy to use. Of course, I am now looking at other lenses and viewfinder attachments!

I am looking forward to trying some "street photography" in Central Park later in the week.

Best wishes and Merry Christmas (from a snowy Woodstock), Kris.

[fish4570]

go get 'em, Kris. i really enjoy my worked over fed-2 with i-26 and i-61 ...

[Attila]

[martinsmith99]

[womble]

I have a Jupiter 9 M42 which I use on my Pentax and so one of those is definitely on my wish list. I'll see how the first roll comes out first though before I start indulging in more toys!

K.

[Attila]

[womble]

[Attila]

Today I did take a photo tour with Fed-2+ Jupiter-12 3,5cm f2.8 + Turret finder + Gössen Pilot 2. I was a great set I did enjoy much , Turret finder easily come out for cold shoe. This was only disadvantage what I did found.

I did try Fed-4 and Zorki-C in local shop , FED-4 was too modern Zorki-c was too old to my taste. Seems I sticky with FED-2 or FED3a (basically same thank Fed-2 , more speeds and arm less diopter correction which is good)

I did buy FOMA developer and old used Zeiss Ikon developer tank I am ready to develop own film again after 25 yrs.