Fed 3 Tips and Tricks

[matthewm]

Hello all,
This is my first post here as I just found you all while perusing about the internet in hopes of finding some information about a recently purchased FED-3. Found her on eBay for $18 USD and couldn't pass up the opportunity to give one of them a try after reading all the good things about them.

Enough of that...

I'm looking for any tips/tricks/advice for using this camera as I've never owned one before. And just so you know, I'm not converting over from an entirely digital lineup. I've had Seagull and Mamiya TLRs; an RB67; Minolta, Canon, Nikon and Pentax MF SLRs; Canon, Minolta and Agfa 35mm and 120 RF cameras; and Canon EOS Digital Bodies (20D and 5D). This Russian imitation of the much coveted Leica is probably the closest I'll get to an actual Leica anytime soon. (Starving student artist syndrome)

This is a great site with TONS of information and I can't wait to get more involved here. In addition to the FED-3 that I purchased, I also got my hands on a Canonet G-III 17 QL with Canonet flash ALL in the original packaging with all original documentation (even the little plastic protector that comes out of the inside of the film chamber). And both on the same day! How lucky!! So any tips and tricks on that one would be great as well. I had a Canonet 28 for a while, but never could get it to work as the meter was busted. Sigh...

Quick factoid: In the movie Pecker starring Eddie Furlong, the camera he used from his mother's thrift store was a Canonet. If you haven't seen the movie, you should check it out. Horrible acting and sub-par photography make for a fantastic Friday night flick. 😎

Thanks in advance.

/Matthew

PS. I can be contacted on here, my email address matthewmorsephotography@gmail.com or on AIM: semi supr hero.

 

[matthewm]

Welcome to RFF Matthew!

I'm sure you'll have lots of fun with your Fed3.
You'll find lots of tips etc at the top of the FSU section.🙂

Thanks for the welcome and for pointing me in the right direction!

Cheers!

 

[Blake Werts]

Ha! Was just in Charleston this weekend shooting some frames with my on FED-2 (color film) and FED-3 (b&w film). Welcome to the group!

 

[Ducky]

I use the Fed 3b, avatar, with the wind lever. I lovely camera to work with.
Welcome.

 

[matthewm]

Ha! Was just in Charleston this weekend shooting some frames with my on FED-2 (color film) and FED-3 (b&w film). Welcome to the group!

Thanks! Where are you from originally?
I'm sure Charleston looks magnificent through a FSU RF lens doesn't it? I'm a bit ashamed to say I've not had a chance to explore Charleston with the likes of a FED Camera.

But soon...

 

[matthewm]

I use the Fed 3b, avatar, with the wind lever. I lovely camera to work with.
Welcome.

Thanks for the welcome.
I'm assuming from what I've read that the FED 3B has the flat top and film advance lever as opposed to the earlier FED 3 that had a wind knob (not unlike the Leica IIIC) and a stacked top. Is that correct? I didn't realize until I started exploring on here that there were multiple versions of this camera so I'm just trying to figure out if I got the FED 3A or 3B.

I've attached a photo of the camera itself and the description was a FED 3 with Industar 61 L/D 53mm/2.8.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. And if you need any other photos of it to help with identifying it I think I can snag some more from the auction. Thanks in advance.

Best,
Matthew

 

[Blake Werts]

Thanks! Where are you from originally?
I'm sure Charleston looks magnificent through a FSU RF lens doesn't it? I'm a bit ashamed to say I've not had a chance to explore Charleston with the likes of a FED Camera.

But soon...

Raised in Laurens, SC but have been living in Charlotte, NC since finishing school (Clemson University). Wife and I love the historic Charleston areas and try to visit a few times a year. We talk all the time about moving down there.

Hopefully I can snag a couple of good photos from the bunch to submit to the FSU photo contest. I'm still relatively new to rangefinders so I'm still learning to work with them. We'll see....

 

[Blake Werts]

Thanks for the welcome.
I'm assuming from what I've read that the FED 3B has the flat top and film advance lever as opposed to the earlier FED 3 that had a wind knob (not unlike the Leica IIIC) and a stacked top. Is that correct? I didn't realize until I started exploring on here that there were multiple versions of this camera so I'm just trying to figure out if I got the FED 3A or 3B.

Yes, it is my understanding that this is a FED 3B.

 

[matthewm]

Raised in Laurens, SC but have been living in Charlotte, NC since finishing school (Clemson University). Wife and I love the historic Charleston areas and try to visit a few times a year. We talk all the time about moving down there.

Hopefully I can snag a couple of good photos from the bunch to submit to the FSU photo contest. I'm still relatively new to rangefinders so I'm still learning to work with them. We'll see....

Let me know if you post any. I'd love to see them.
I used to work with a guy from Laurens. Small world.

I'm fairly new to the Rangefinders as well. I've collected a few, but not really usable ones.

Thanks for your input so far. Looking forward to getting out there and shooting some things.

 

[brachal]

Yep, Fed-3b. If that is the original lens, it is late production. It's a really nice camera. Always advance the film/cock the shutter before changing shutter speeds. Don't point the camera at the sun with the lens cap off ... it can burn a hole in the cloth shutter curtain. Other than that, enjoy it. This is probably my favorite FSU camera.

 

[matthewm]

Yep, Fed-3b. If that is the original lens, it is late production. It's a really nice camera. Always advance the film/cock the shutter before changing shutter speeds. Don't point the camera at the sun with the lens cap off ... it can burn a hole in the cloth shutter curtain. Other than that, enjoy it. This is probably my favorite FSU camera.

Thanks for the tips. I'm not usually in the habit of pointing my cameras directly into the sun, but knowing me and my luck, I'd probably leave it face up under the sunroof or something and ruin it. So much to learn about these rangefinders. I'm such a noob. But I'll get there. When you say it's a late production model, are you gathering that from the serial number on the lens?

 

[oscroft]

Welcome and congrats. I have a FED 3B too, and I really like it - although it looks big and bulky, I think it feels great in the hands (and I have small hands). Also, the Industar 61 L/D is one of the best lenses that the FSU made - if it's a good sample it should be very sharp.

 

[matthewm]

Welcome and congrats. I have a FED 3B too, and I really like it - although it looks big and bulky, I think it feels great in the hands (and I have small hands). Also, the Industar 61 L/D is one of the best lenses that the FSU made - if it's a good sample it should be very sharp.

Thanks a lot for the welcome!
After hearing all these great things about the camera I can't wait to get my paws on it!

I do hope it's a good copy (of both the camera and lens). Keeping my fingers crossed. 😀

 

[brachal]

Thanks for the tips. I'm not usually in the habit of pointing my cameras directly into the sun, but knowing me and my luck, I'd probably leave it face up under the sunroof or something and ruin it. So much to learn about these rangefinders. I'm such a noob. But I'll get there. When you say it's a late production model, are you gathering that from the serial number on the lens?

Leaving her face up on the sunroof for 10 or 15 seconds would probably do it! 😱

I have yet to figure out how to decode FED serial numbers for either camera or lens. They used a pretty arbitrary system. The Fed-3b was introduced in 1963 and came origninally with the Industar-61. This lens had a black and chrome barrel; it's sometimes called a Zebra or Panda because of this. In the 70s they introduced the Industar-61LD with the FED-5. FED-5 and FED-3 production overlapped by a few years, and late production 3's (77 - 80) had the 61LD. If your lens is original to the camera (and it might not be, all of these cameras have a story) it would be from those years. The Industar 61 and 61LD are almost identical. The LD is all black, has click-stops on the aperture, and has fewer aperture blades. Both make very nice pictures. 🙂

 

[matthewm]

Leaving her face up on the sunroof for 10 or 15 seconds would probably do it! 😱

I have yet to figure out how to decode FED serial numbers for either camera or lens. They used a pretty arbitrary system. The Fed-3b was introduced in 1963 and came origninally with the Industar-61. This lens had a black and chrome barrel; it's sometimes called a Zebra or Panda because of this. In the 70s they introduced the Industar-61LD with the FED-5. FED-5 and FED-3 production overlapped by a few years, and late production 3's (77 - 80) had the 61LD. If your lens is original to the camera (and it might not be, all of these cameras have a story) it would be from those years. The Industar 61 and 61LD are almost identical. The LD is all black, has click-stops on the aperture, and has fewer aperture blades. Both make very nice pictures. 🙂

Thanks again for the information.
Looking forward to using it.

 

[angusW]

I have a Fed 3b with the "panda" lens. Just putting a second roll through it. Bought it a couple weeks ago. A real treat to use. Tried a couple shots with my Vivitar 283 flash.

BTW, the panda does have clicks on the f-stop.

 

[matthewm]

I have a Fed 3b with the "panda" lens. Just putting a second roll through it. Bought it a couple weeks ago. A real treat to use. Tried a couple shots with my Vivitar 283 flash.

BTW, the panda does have clicks on the f-stop.

And the Panda is the Black and Silver version of the lens right?
I think I'm supposed to be getting the solid black one. Not sure what differences there are, but if the Panda is any better I may just pick one up. They're a dime a dozen on the Bay.

I've got a couple of old flashes that I may run with it. Never really thought of that. It needs a PC cord for flash, right? Because the shoe is an accessory shoe and not a hot shoe? Or am I wrong on that?

Thanks for your input.

 

[fidget]

The black L/D version is identical to the Panda version. Just a cosmetic change and the inclusion of "L/D" for marketing.
Individual units do vary. Get a few and play with them for fun....

 

[Frank Lambert]

You might want to take a look at this website. It is a "pictoral evolution" of the FED 3 and the various lenses incorporated in each stage of production.

http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/collect/fed/1/9.htm

The following is a quote from the "Camerapedia Website", which may help explain what the L/D designation is all about.

"The Industar 61 L/D is possibly the most highly regarded lens for Ukrainian Leica copies. In an L/D or L/Z version of this lens, the L indicates that the lens has Lanthanum in it, and D indicates M39 mount while Z indicates M42 mount."

By the way, you will enjoy your FED 3.... Have fun!

Frank

 

[matthewm]

The black L/D version is identical to the Panda version. Just a cosmetic change and the inclusion of "L/D" for marketing.
Individual units do vary. Get a few and play with them for fun....

Probably not a bad idea actually...
Thanks!