Can anyone explain why fed 2..

[pb908]

Is so popular (compare to any fsu ltm RF)?

talking about the benefit, yes it has long rangefinder base length, but the negative is that the speed is so limited. I was wondering why people are not choosing a zorki 3/4 or a fed 3a/b over fed 2 (specially because Z3/4 or F3a/b have more speed) and couldn't find the answer.

is this because fed 2:
1. more accurate to focus (due to longer baselength)? any prove that fed 3/ zorki 4 can not focus J3 wide open, assume?
2. CHEAP? (it's has limited function, but as it CHEAP, why not??? )
3. Small ? did you buy this because it is smaller than fed 3 or zorki 3/4?
4. KISS factor? (keep it simple stupid)
5. Self timer? (z4 and f3 have it as well)
6. You guys have a way to deal with it's speed limitation?

any idea guys?
I once had a Z4, really like the 1:1 vf, but sell it and now I just grab a Z3M (on the way). I have a leica IIf, which i like for it's smooth operation (compare to my old Z4) but the lack of low speed make me "hate" the IIf. It's like an outdoor ONLY camera for me. Once i get indoor, I can't not do anything (i try to do Bulb+timed my shoot manually, but there are no guarantee I'll get correct timing as my meter told me to)

speed-shutter wise, a IIf is similar with fed 2. That's why I need your opinion before I let IIf go for a Z3M.. Oh, Mr postman, why the package is not arrive yet?

 

[FrankS]

I'd say it is your points 1, 2, 3, and 4.

(I have 2 IIf's and I'm okay with that.)

 

[stevebrot]

I'd say it is your points 1, 2, 3, and 4.

(I have 2 IIf's and I'm okay with that.)

What he said...

+ The FED-2 is more compact and has somewhat better handling than a Zorki 4 or Kiev or later FEDs and most have strap lugs!

As for the shutter speeds...1/15s would be nice, but I can't hand-hold very well slower than that anyway and you can compensate to a degree with faster film. That creates a problem in regular daylight shooting though due to the lack of 1/1000s. ND filters?


Steve

 

[Steve M.]

Trust me, a IIf is not like a Fed 2. We're talking Soviet Union cameras here. Much as I love the Fed 2s I gave up on them (and all other Soviet made cameras). Great lenses on the FSU stuff, but the cameras? Nope. Keep the IIf, or better yet buy a Bessa R2A, which is a reliable little shooter w/ AE and tons of features.

 

[Brian Legge]

Compared to the earlier fed/zorkies, the FED 2 also has a removable back and less variation in lens registration from what I've heard.

I think the Kievs are frankly close. The fact that they're a smaller family of cameras - fewer body and lens options - probably hurt them as much as almost anything else.

As switching from an IIf, well, I'd stick with whatever camera was in good working condition.

 

[rbiemer]

I tried the FED2 and ended up selling it: it was NOT a bad camera--and the one I owned was in very good working order--it just did not fit me as well as some other cameras.
I ended up using a Zorki 3m for quite a while for the things you mention: big VF, full range of speeds, and because I find the Z3m to be the best looking FSU camera.
That said, I don't think I would let a IIf go for a Z3m.
Rob

 

[konicaman]

KISS factor - and design. It might sound crazy, but I actually find the newer FED 2s rather pretty; they also have this certain retro look. I have mentioned this before, I know, but e.g. the Zorki 6 handles much better than the FED 2s (hinged back, winding lever, better viewfinder) but it just looks like a boring old camera compared to my FED 2e.

Don't underestimate the power of design, Luke!

 

[pb908]

Thanks guys for all the replies !!

i was interested on the retro look of a fed 2. But thinking of the speed limitation, i change my mind and get the Z3m.

anyway, a part from any of the reasons we have discused above, for those who have fed 2, how do you deal with it's speed limitation (indoor)? Or is fed 2 become only an "Outdoor" camera only for you?

 

[stevebrot]

Thanks guys for all the replies !!

i was interested on the retro look of a fed 2. But thinking of the speed limitation, i change my mind and get the Z3m.

anyway, a part from any of the reasons we have discused above, for those who have fed 2, how do you deal with it's speed limitation (indoor)? Or is fed 2 become only an "Outdoor" camera only for you?

ISO 1600?

As I mentioned above, the low speeds are not that useful unless you are using a tripod. 1/15s would be nice, but to get around that one can just use faster film. In practice, ISO 800 should usually be fast enough with faster lenses and fits nicely into the available speeds on the FED even when it is bright outside.

 

[David Hughes]

Thanks guys for all the replies !!

i was interested on the retro look of a fed 2. But thinking of the speed limitation, i change my mind and get the Z3m.

anyway, a part from any of the reasons we have discused above, for those who have fed 2, how do you deal with it's speed limitation (indoor)? Or is fed 2 become only an "Outdoor" camera only for you?

I haven't noticed any limitations. I seldom need 1/8th second or 1/1000 and I think most people would agree with me. And I doubt if 1/1000th would be a true 1/100th for very long.

If you are going to take a lot of pictures indoors on slow film and they are action pictures by available light then I can't suggest any camera at any price. Equally I can't see any problems indoors with the FED 2, 50, 100 or 200 ASA film and bounce flash.

A FED 2 with a Jupiter 8 or the Industar is a very competent camera. It has a lot to recommend it. And is a pleasure to use.

I've a young and expensive (Leica) camera with shutter speeds up to 1/4000th and the only time I wanted the top speed was to check a second-hand lens (Summar) at wide open on a sunny day; and that was only because of the film in the camera...

Regards, David

 

[Arvay]

cheap Barnack's copy.
That is all about it.

Oh, no! Not only this.
Reloading is much more convenient.

 

[pb908]

ISO 1600?

As I mentioned above, the low speeds are not that useful unless you are using a tripod. 1/15s would be nice, but to get around that one can just use faster film. In practice, ISO 800 should usually be fast enough with faster lenses and fits nicely into the available speeds on the FED even when it is bright outside.

i forget that i still have ISO as the other parameters. Iso 1600 will do, but as i mostly use iso200 (commonly found here), the speed limit is going to be a problem for me.

Mostly I use rd1 @iso800 + sonnnar f1.5 wide open, and get only 1/30s inside my house (I really like to take my son picture when he sleep 🙂 ) so with only iso200, bye-bye fed 2/IIf.

For this case, i mostly use hexar AF, a very steady shutter which i can handhold at 1/8s, but it has speed limitation for outdoor..at the end I sell the Hexar AF because of 1@250s f22 outdoor, and now almost sell my IIf because I can't use 1/8s.

I hope the Z3M will fulfill my need.
What i want is just one simple RF for either indoor&outdoor without changing any film/adding any nd-filter.

 

[Brian Legge]

So reliable slow speeds with a camera from that era means you likely will need a camera that had a somewhat recent CLA, regardless of the type. I have yet to find a 50+ year old camera that worked at 1/8th and hadn't been CLA'd at some point in the last decade. Oh, one exception, a Retina IIIc.

I thought the Zorki 3s had slow speed reliability problems? If so, you might not want one of them if you plan on shooting at 1/8th regularly.

I have trouble shooting indoors with 3200 speed film and a 1.7 lens. Then again, I usually end up shooting indoors at night. I gave up on a single body/file for both a long time ago. I have a Yashica Lynx 14 which I more or less keep reserved as a night/indoor shooter.