Which FED to buy?

[thawkins]

I am considering buying a FED RF from FEDKA. Which is the recommended model? I am considering a 5V and a 35mm lens. Does this camera have frame lines for the various lens or does one need an external viewfinder? I currently have a Zorki "C" with a 50mm Industar lens and a Jupiter J3 lens that I am going to sell. I want something a bit easier to load. All advise is appreciated.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

The Fed 2 is my favorite FSU camera.

 

[yinyangbt]

Fed 2-3-4-5 have detachable back . Easy to load .

 

[julio1fer]

There is a good sticky on top of this forum about selecting FSU cameras.

FED 5V does not have framelines for different lenses, just the 50mm. External viewfinder is needed. I believe this happens for every FED ever made.

Easier to load would mean removable back, i.e. from FED-2 onwards.

Most popular or classic is probably the FED-2. The FED-3 is my favorite, because of design and handling; it has a smaller RF base which is anyway adequate. The -4 and -5 are larger and heavier. All of them FEDs are capable cameras that do their job when properly CLAd.

I have used FED-2, -3 and -5V.

 

[mretina]

I use Fed1 and Fed2L (later bigger -2 model). I recommend -2 or -3 if you are keen on the removal back but I would not go for any of the metered ones.

 

[bgb]

Zorki 6 has swing open back i think, FED 2 is a nice camera to hold, shoot and just to look at 🙂

http://mattsclassiccameras.com/zorki_6.html

 

[wolves3012]

There isn't really a recommended model, it depends what you want. From FED 2 onwards, they all had removable backs so they're easier to load. The 2 has a wider-based RF and is a simpler camera, mechanically, than later ones but it doesn't offer slow speeds. Most people consider it the best FED and it tends to be reliable.

Personally, I think the 5 is rather poorly made and I'd avoid one for regular use. The 4 and 5 are both larger than earlier ones, although not by as much as they appear to be, visually. Choice there would be a 3 with no meter or a 4 with meter. If the meter is still working on a 4, they are surprisingly useful and accurate. Many people, however, prefer a separate or no meter and the in-camera meter is often dead anyway.

If you're after easy loading, I would look seriously at a Zorki 6, unless you need slow speeds. Hinged back for easy loading, lever-wind, bright VF, wide-base RF and they aren't expensive.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Another vote here for the classic FED 2.

Regards, David

 

[paulfish4570]

FED 2, but i would buy a known camera from an RFF owner or someone else who can assure you that you have a good one. it took three tries from Fedka to get a good one. it was inconvenient to do so, but Fedka is a good business.

 

[thawkins]

FED 2, but i would buy a known camera from an RFF owner or someone else who can assure you that you have a good one. it took three tries from Fedka to get a good one. it was inconvenient to do so, but Fedka is a good business.

I agree FEDKA is a good place to do business. Yuri CLAed my Zorki and 50mm Industar lens and they work great. Thanks everyone for your input...............it is very helpful.

 

[Dez]

As far as I know, none of the FEDs have frame lines for alternate lenses. As for choice, I would opt for the FED 2, which has an excellent rangefinder, and basically looks very cool, or the FED 6, which has a shorter RF base, but a somewhat clearer viewfinder than the previous models. The 6 doesn't come across as good looking as the 2, but has a convenient swing-out back and a lever wind, and is slightly smaller than the 2. I believe the only FSU RF camera to have frame lines is the fascinating but clunky Leningrad motor drive camera.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[Aapo]

As for choice, I would opt for the FED 2, which has an excellent rangefinder, and basically looks very cool, or the FED 6, which has a shorter RF base, but a somewhat clearer viewfinder than the previous models. The 6 doesn't come across as good looking as the 2, but has a convenient swing-out back and a lever wind, and is slightly smaller than the 2. I believe the only FSU RF camera to have frame lines is the fascinating but clunky Leningrad motor drive camera.

Cheers,
Dez

Do you mean FED 5 or Zorki 6? Description sound like Zorki than FED though

In fact I would recommend Zorki 6 but sure FED 2 is the best looking FSU in my eyes and might be good companion with your 5V

 

[z.bruce.li]

After I used the FED-2(b) with FED 50/3.5 collapsible lens for a couple of weeks now, I really start to appreciate its compact size, good look, and quality output. My other LTM kit is a Canon 7 and Jupiter-3, but I'm more in love with the little FED-2 kit.

 

[Dez]

Do you mean FED 5 or Zorki 6? Description sound like Zorki than FED though

In fact I would recommend Zorki 6 but sure FED 2 is the best looking FSU in my eyes and might be good companion with your 5V

Sorry, sorry, My brain was detached from my typing fingers. I meant to say the Zorki 6. The later FEDs may be mechanically competent, but they are in my humble and highly subjective opinion, also ugly enough to stop large clocks. If you could somehow squeeze slow speeds into the FED 2 without changing any of the dimensions you would have something unbeatable.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[Penny Lane]

This is steering this thread slightly off-topic, but a FED-6 does exist. Try finding one though... Description of the FED-6 is here and here (for instance), and with its spec it might've been the FSU rangefinder of anyone's choice.

But I digress...

Derk

 

[Dez]

This is steering this thread slightly off-topic, but a FED-6 does exist. Try finding one though... Description of the FED-6 is here and here (for instance), and with its spec it might've been the FSU rangefinder of anyone's choice.

But I digress...

Derk

WOW! Thanks so much for your post. This is a really fascinating camera, but did it ever go into production? I guess by 1998, they were in competition with the Bessa R and figured they didn't have a good competitive position.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[wolves3012]

..... or the FED 6, which has a shorter RF base, but a somewhat clearer viewfinder than the previous models.

Just for the record, the Zorki 6, which is what you meant, has exactly the same 67mm (optical) RF base-length as the FED 2. Actually, if you do the calculations, you'll find the effective base-length (optical x VF magnification) for all the usual FEDs and Zorkis is about the same. Kievs are a bit longer but not by much.