Fed 3b vs 2b?

[CCCPcamera]

I have been looking for a ussr camera to replace my broken kiev 4. The kiev got the best pictures I have ever taken so I figure if I get a cloth shuttered camera and a jupiter lense it should be awesome. I have been comparing the fed 3b and 2b and can't decide. The clarity of the viewfinder seems to be the deciding factor. Although the 3b has slower shutter speeds. Thoughts? Thanks.

Also, which jupitor works best on these cameras, a J8 50mm I found an f1.5!

 

[nzeeman]

if viewfinder is important - you better try to find some zorki 3, 3m, 4 or 4k because they all have bright 1:1 viewfinders... as for feds their VF are a bit dark and they all have same type of VF so i think there is not much difference between 2b and 3b.

 

[fidget]

Just a thought, if you are deciding on usability rather than other issues, the 3b is a more recent camera and so may be generally in better condition. The later versions of the 3b incorporated little features which might help more reliable shutter operation etc.

However, just about everyone loves the FED2, they are cheap, so I believe that the most popular answer to your question will be....both, get a few.

Dave..

 

[brachal]

The finder on my Fed2 is darker than on the Fed3, but it may just need a cleaning. The 3 will be lever-wind opposed to knob-wind. The rewind knob on the 2 is much better than the one on the 3. The 2 will probably have strap lugs, the 3 will not.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

IMHO a well serviced Fed 2b has got to be the best value for money around!......I was out enjoying the sunshine, with mine, yesterday 🙂

Dave

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

.......and a well adjusted J12 puts the icing on the cake! 😀

 

[MartinP]

The FED-2 is the same size as an M3, while the FED-3 is much taller. The FED-2 is also much more likely to have strap-lugs - or you can modify the case to separate easily enough. The loading prongs on a FED-3 can be swapped in to a FED-2 as well, so you won't need a separate take-up spool if you try both cameras then do some modifications if/when you prefer the FED-2.

The viewfinders are a similar contrasty design, but with a lot of individual variation after all this time. If you get a late version FED-2, then the knob-wind is the improved "mushroom" shape and the shutter-speeds will be in the usual 1/30, 1/60 etc. The eyepiece optical compensation is easier to use on the 2 - but also easier to accidentally knock off your preferred setting than on the 3.

I eventually tried both the 2 and the 3, and will soon be selling the FED-3 (and also a Zorki-4) while keeping the FED-2 (and my M3, of course) ! Try to get one which has been serviced before selling and it can work very nicely with no further fiddling about necessary. And the Industars are a good tessar-design as well.

 

[MartinP]

Dave, nice to see those pics. Were they made with colour-neg (Portra 160 maybe) ?

And not forgetting that most FSU sellers of good condition FED-2s will also have a Smena 8m for you. Very interesting to see the differences between the soviet "serious" cameras and the soviet "family" camera.
🙂

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Dave, nice to see those pics. Were they made with colour-neg (Portra 160 maybe) ?

And not forgetting that most FSU sellers of good condition FED-2s will also have a Smena 8m for you. Very interesting to see the differences between the soviet "serious" cameras and the soviet "family" camera.
🙂

Right first time!! Portra 160 VC....I find it ideal for the older glass,-especially the uncoated ones.

Dave

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

.......and a well adjusted J12 puts the icing on the cake! 😀

Great pictures Dave.I like them all,but especially the last one.

Brian.

 

[CCCPcamera]

Wow thanks for all the feedback. I ended up buying a bessa R. I know I know. But it was a good price, it's beautiful, and I can still use FSU lenses. I bought a J3 which is awesome. I think I will still consider the FED 2 just for fun though.