FED-2 lens changing in mid-roll

[climbing_vine]

Hi all. Now that I have a second lens to try on my FED-2 (a 35/1.7 CV Ultron courtesy of an RFF member), I'm wondering about changing lens on the FED in mid-roll. I have heard that this can cause fogging. Seems to not make sense, but I suppose it's possible that some area that is covered when a lens is attached might let light through when the lens is removed. Bizarre and poor design, but possible.

So, any experience?

Thanks!

 

[dazedgonebye]

I haven't had any problems. If you do, I think you must have a light leak in the shutter.

 

[brachal]

I've heard this can happen, but it's never happened to me personally.

 

[climbing_vine]

Good to hear. We'll see what happens, then.

 

[oscroft]

Nope, I've had no light leak problems changing lenses on my FED-2 either.

 

[Jocko]

It can happen and has happened to me - in several cases involving cameras with new shutters CLA'd by Oleg. As I understand it. the FED was not originally designed to take interchangeable lenses. Each camera and lens formed a discrete combination adjusted to each other. Early manuals actually warned against removing the lens, whilst later versions (such as that for the 5c) make no reference at all to changing optics. I have been told that the basic design of the lens/shutter interface box was largely unchanged through the years and it is vulnerable to light leaks in the absence of the lens. This is certainly my experience with FED 1s and 2s. If changing mid-roll, I would recommend wasting a shot and working in shadow, but the best thing to do is simply try it out first and see what happens 🙂

Cheers, Ian

 

[climbing_vine]

I have been told that the basic design of the lens/shutter interface box was largely unchanged through the years and it is vulnerable to light leaks in the absence of the lens. This is certainly my experience with FED 1s and 2s. If changing mid-roll, I would recommend wasting a shot and working in shadow, but the best thing to do is simply try it out first and see what happens 🙂

Ah, interesting. Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

My neighborhood film processor is starting to think I'm a crank, I think. I keep bringing in fogged out and half–exposed rolls of film, and when the exposures are proper the pics are all of my office and my wife sitting on the couch. Been repairing too many old cameras. 😉

 

[oldrangefinderguy]

This whole business has me wondering. I haven't had my Fed1g all that long, and the jupiter 12 I got for it has seen even less use. Still, I don't think I've encountered any problems switching lenses but it could be that I've never yet switched lenses in bright light. Also, I just recieved a Kiev 4a for Christmas, and another is on it's way in the mail. Does this problem ever affect Kievs? Guess I'll have to check into all this. I'll probably still get a Jupiter 12 in Contax mount, but I may be back to using my Olympus XA in place of a separate 35mm lens. (At least it doubles as a light meter and gives a handy backup if the main camera goes south.)

 

[Jocko]

Hallo ORFG!

I am sure the problem does not affect Kievs - the innards are the same as a Contax, and we would have heard! Nor, I'm told, does it trouble Zorkis. Quite possibly I've had exceptionally bad luck (which is entirely believable! 🙂 ) - but I do think, as a general rule, it is best to change any lens away from bright lights.

Cheers, Ian

 

[oldrangefinderguy]

thanks ian,
That certainly makes sense.

 

[John Robertson]

Generally with any R/F camera with interchangeable lenses, it is better policy to avoid exposing the open front of the camera (ie without a lens) to bright sunlight. Try to chenge lenses in the shade or at least in the shade of your own body. Even Leica advises this. So its not something you have to do only with FSU cameras. I've had Feds for 40years, along with Zorkis,Droog and Leningrad cameras, and found them no more prone to light leaks this way than Leicas or Bessas.

 

[mjflory]

My neighborhood film processor is starting to think I'm a crank, I think. I keep bringing in fogged out and half–exposed rolls of film, and when the exposures are proper the pics are all of my office and my wife sitting on the couch. Been repairing too many old cameras. 😉

I just sent a roll to the drugstore consisting entirely of shots of the bar code on a cardboard box. Well, I thought it was interesting...

-- Michael