Fed 3 Shutter Problem

R

Rob Holland

Rob Holland
Local time
3:18 PM
Joined
Sep 22, 2005
Messages
18
I have a Fed 3 that I got a while back (came with an I-61 I wanted and I knew the Fed 3 had problems).

Regular shutter speeds and B seem to fire at the fastest speed, regardless of setting. Slow shutter speeds work fine. A few tell-tale scratches indicate this camera has been 'tinkered' with.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob
 
I'd suggest doing what I did w/ a similar combo. The LD61 on mine was stellar, so I bought a Bessa R to shoot it with. FSU = great lenses, highly iffy cameras.
 
LOL. You have a valid point!

This camera has been sitting on my shelf for about 5 years and I thought I'd give a whirl at getting it up and running. Guess I'm just a tinkerer, at heart.

Thanks for the reply!

Rob
 
Rob, I'd take Steve's words with a pinch of salt. Early Feds are pretty solidly built. The problem is the tinkering, the lack of care, and the amount (or lack) of use. They certainly take a certain mindset to use - it's not as easy as going out and buying a camera off a shelf and knowing it'll work perfectly, so some people are put off by them. Steve seems to be one of those. But if you're willing to work (or get lucky), the camera bodies are every bit as capable as Steve's Bessa.

If you want to tinker, do it. As my dad has always said to me, "if it's already broken, what do I have to lose in trying to fix it?" You'll probably be best off looking at this pdf. It's the tinkerer's bible.

If you want a camera that will be fully functional with minimal work, you could always send it off for a service. It might cost you a bit, but these things are built like tanks. It should be good for a long time after that.
 
Rob Holland said:
I have a Fed 3 that I got a while back (came with an I-61 I wanted and I knew the Fed 3 had problems).

Regular shutter speeds and B seem to fire at the fastest speed, regardless of setting. Slow shutter speeds work fine. A few tell-tale scratches indicate this camera has been 'tinkered' with.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob
Click to expand...
At least you bought it knowing it had problems. The symptoms sound like the second curtain catch is not working correctly. That's often caused by the small spring that tensions it having come off its proper place and would be easy to spot.

As Coldkennels says - if you want to tinker, why not? There isn't much to lose! If you're mechanically minded and comfortable with small parts and tools, go for it.
 
Steve M. said:
I'd suggest doing what I did w/ a similar combo. The LD61 on mine was stellar, so I bought a Bessa R to shoot it with. FSU = great lenses, highly iffy cameras.
Click to expand...
I'm curious, was that your only FSU purchase? Since you knock them so readily, I'm wondering just how much experience you have with them.

You're right and you're wrong: many are "iffy" but it tends to be largely through neglect and interference from unqualified repairers. Take a look through the other sub-forums to see that other brands are far from immune from problems. FSUs are pretty basic in design and (in my experience) pretty robust too.
 
I took Steve's comment as (I think) he intended it. Buying FSU cameras can be a crapshoot, at times. Wolves, I think you hit the nail on the head with 'unqualified repairer'. Also, from the mid-60's onward, the QA/QC was probably less than it could have been. I'm sure a few lemons made it through.

I've been reading the repair manual and found a few things to check.

The 3M I posted a question about earlier is all fixed up and ready to go! Turned the mounting flange around and adjusted the register and all is good. Thanks for the help.

Thanks,
Rob
 
If slow speeds work and fast not, than the 'fast speed escapement' aka, second curtain latch, is jammed. It is a pritty straightforward latch with a spring holding it side and downwards. You can take off the top cover and look whether it is functioning ok or not. if not, take it out, clean it and look whether the spring needs any adjustment:

you are looking for this latch: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=38946&d=1167651958

and here: http://stephenc7.tripod.com/cameras/fed2/10_SpeedAssembly.jpg (the boomerang latch with spring)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom