mikule
Rangefinder Beginner
Well I'm officially addicted to FSU cameras. With a Jupiter 12, Jupiter 9 and their respective viewfinders all in the mail waiting to compliment my Fed 5V, I'm looking at picking up another camera. I'm not entirely sure why, but I'm sure you can relate....
The Fed 2 camera's seem to be quite popular on these forums, and look to be the better of the Fed series. So I'm currently looking at purchasing a Fed 2 (e) - the one that has the 'moden' shutter speeds.
I quite like the look of the all black Fed 2 cameras floating about ebay (there are about 6 of them on there at the moment), just wondering if anyone else has one of these and if they're worth getting a hold of? - are they a Fed-2(e)?
Or would I be better off trying out another flavour of Leica mount FSU camera like the Zorki? in particular the Zorki 6?
I'm not so phased at the moment about the other cameras, and have read quite a bit in other posts regarding them, and everyone has a preference, either FED, Zorki, Kiev, etc.
Mostly wondering about the Black Fed-2's at the moment. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
cheers
Michael
The Fed 2 camera's seem to be quite popular on these forums, and look to be the better of the Fed series. So I'm currently looking at purchasing a Fed 2 (e) - the one that has the 'moden' shutter speeds.
I quite like the look of the all black Fed 2 cameras floating about ebay (there are about 6 of them on there at the moment), just wondering if anyone else has one of these and if they're worth getting a hold of? - are they a Fed-2(e)?
Or would I be better off trying out another flavour of Leica mount FSU camera like the Zorki? in particular the Zorki 6?
I'm not so phased at the moment about the other cameras, and have read quite a bit in other posts regarding them, and everyone has a preference, either FED, Zorki, Kiev, etc.
Mostly wondering about the Black Fed-2's at the moment. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
cheers
Michael
Jun Yan
Member
I am bidding on a black one which cost us$60 and 6 days listing....and the seller only got 2 feedback. He also have a black one in super clean condition and list price is $55.
Guys please please do not bid on this one again, so that I would get it on this price
ha.
Guys please please do not bid on this one again, so that I would get it on this price
ha.
mikule
Rangefinder Beginner
Thats the same guy that I was talking about. Although I was going to bid on the $70 dollar (box, camera, case, cap combo). But I also noted the 2 feedback. Guess you have to start somewhere.
He had a few, one with a Industra 61 lens and the other with a Industra 21, not really sure which would be the better buy. Although I already have two Industra 61 lens's, the ones that came with my Fed 5's.
Jun Yan, do you own any other russian cameras?
He had a few, one with a Industra 61 lens and the other with a Industra 21, not really sure which would be the better buy. Although I already have two Industra 61 lens's, the ones that came with my Fed 5's.
Jun Yan, do you own any other russian cameras?
Jun Yan
Member
I am new to FSU camera, and my first FSU camera should come in few days from Euro, it's a silver fed 2a(or b).
Just can't stop my self from bidding the black FED-2, it looks so coooool.
Just can't stop my self from bidding the black FED-2, it looks so coooool.
Solinar
Analog Preferred
Yep, I highly recommend the FED 2
Yep, I highly recommend the FED 2
I have FED 2e in black and enjoy using it more than my Bessa R, which is also black.
It's just a simple, robust, precision shooter, with a collapsible Industar mounted, but works well the 35mm Jupiter 12 as well.
The Jupiter 8 and the longer reach Jupiter 9 work on this camera, but the camera is no longer a slip in, sliip out compact shooter with these two lenses. Plus, my 85mm Canon viewfinder isn't the largest or brightest finder and its parallax correction is marked in feet.
I've tried the Zorki 6, but it doesn't fit my hands as well, because of the location of the shutter release. The Zorki 6 does seem to handle the larger lenses better, as the viewfinder is a little further from the lens. The viewfinder on the Zorki 6 is raised a bit higher as it has a taller top deck than the FED 2.
Yep, I highly recommend the FED 2
I have FED 2e in black and enjoy using it more than my Bessa R, which is also black.
It's just a simple, robust, precision shooter, with a collapsible Industar mounted, but works well the 35mm Jupiter 12 as well.
The Jupiter 8 and the longer reach Jupiter 9 work on this camera, but the camera is no longer a slip in, sliip out compact shooter with these two lenses. Plus, my 85mm Canon viewfinder isn't the largest or brightest finder and its parallax correction is marked in feet.
I've tried the Zorki 6, but it doesn't fit my hands as well, because of the location of the shutter release. The Zorki 6 does seem to handle the larger lenses better, as the viewfinder is a little further from the lens. The viewfinder on the Zorki 6 is raised a bit higher as it has a taller top deck than the FED 2.
Jun Yan
Member
Is it all the black Fed-2 are made at type "e"???
kai
Member
Hi Jun,
No FED's were black from the factory - they've all been re-painted in recent years to make them more attractive for sale. So, they can be any model of FED-2, not just e's.
Cheers,
Kai
No FED's were black from the factory - they've all been re-painted in recent years to make them more attractive for sale. So, they can be any model of FED-2, not just e's.
Cheers,
Kai
mikule
Rangefinder Beginner
Thanks Kai, I wasn't sure if the black Feds were a after market modification or not. Having a closer look at the two bids;
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15234&item=7521194907&rd=1&ssPageName=WD2V
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15234&item=7521195926&rd=1&ssPageName=WD2V
They are slightly different. Can't really tell at the moment what version Fed-2 each one is. However I'm guessing the one not in the box is a Fed-2E, and the one with the box is either a Fed-2D or earlier. Based solely on the shutter speeds. One having 1/25 and the other having 1/30. Unless there were two versions of the Fed-2E?
Still, you can't deny how cool they look
Thanks also Solinar. I'm still not sure if I'll get a Zorki 6 yet or not, although I'm sure it's only a matter time.
Michael
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15234&item=7521194907&rd=1&ssPageName=WD2V
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15234&item=7521195926&rd=1&ssPageName=WD2V
They are slightly different. Can't really tell at the moment what version Fed-2 each one is. However I'm guessing the one not in the box is a Fed-2E, and the one with the box is either a Fed-2D or earlier. Based solely on the shutter speeds. One having 1/25 and the other having 1/30. Unless there were two versions of the Fed-2E?
Still, you can't deny how cool they look
Thanks also Solinar. I'm still not sure if I'll get a Zorki 6 yet or not, although I'm sure it's only a matter time.
Michael
kiev4a
Well-known
The black FED 2s vary a lot in quality since they didn't come from the factory that way. I've even seen instances where the seller even painted the vulcanite (saves taking the camera apart. A new paint job doesn't necessarily mean the mechanical part has been cleaned or overhauled.
captainslack
Five Goats Hunter
The one in the box is a later model 2c and the other is a 2d. The 1/25 shutter speed is the difference. About midway through the "c" series (mind you, this is a collector designation, not a factory one), they added the self-timer. With the "d" series, they changed to the Western Standard shutter speeds.
In case you hadn't run across it yet, check out Comrade Stoisha's site, which will tell you everything you'd ever want to know about the FED 2.
http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/stoisha1.html
In case you hadn't run across it yet, check out Comrade Stoisha's site, which will tell you everything you'd ever want to know about the FED 2.
http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/stoisha1.html
Solinar
Analog Preferred
Michael,
The top camera without the box is a FED 2e. Notice the raised platform for the accessory shoe and the modern progression of shutter speeds.
The boxed FED 2 is a 2d. It has a lower accessory shoe platform, older shutter speed progression and like the 2e, the PC socket is mounted to the top cover.
This is according to Jim Blazik, http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/index.html
Be adviced, that Princelle uses a different nomenclature. For example the FED 2e described by Blazik becomes a 2d and the 2d becomes 2c. I mention this, because many former Soviet Bloc sellers use the Princelle Guide to describe their wares.
The top camera without the box is a FED 2e. Notice the raised platform for the accessory shoe and the modern progression of shutter speeds.
The boxed FED 2 is a 2d. It has a lower accessory shoe platform, older shutter speed progression and like the 2e, the PC socket is mounted to the top cover.
This is according to Jim Blazik, http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/index.html
Be adviced, that Princelle uses a different nomenclature. For example the FED 2e described by Blazik becomes a 2d and the 2d becomes 2c. I mention this, because many former Soviet Bloc sellers use the Princelle Guide to describe their wares.
Solinar
Analog Preferred
Captain Slack beat me to the post. If you are using the Princelle Guide then the first one is a 2d and the second a 2c. My ebay seller cupog uses the Princelle Guide to describe his Soviet Era cameras as well.
kai
Member
I agree, the black FED's look cool. A re-painted black <insert FSU camera of choice here> is definitely in my future, too.... don't know when, though
L
Laika
Guest
Make sure the pictures of the Black FED2 your thinking of are clear so you have an idea of what sort of finish your getting. Some of them do look very nicely done, others look like they have had a quick spray over the chrome and body and look horrible and are likely to start flaking paint with little use
Here is my plain chrome FED2 I picked up for $20 on ebay and later stripped it down, removed the chrome from the top and bottom covers and gave it a black gloss (auto paint) refinish and a matching J8 .... it was all Jim Blazik fault
Here is my plain chrome FED2 I picked up for $20 on ebay and later stripped it down, removed the chrome from the top and bottom covers and gave it a black gloss (auto paint) refinish and a matching J8 .... it was all Jim Blazik fault
je2a3
je
Laika said:Here is my plain chrome FED2 I picked up for $20 on ebay and later stripped it down, removed the chrome from the top and bottom covers and gave it a black gloss (auto paint) refinish and a matching J8 .... it was all Jim Blazik fault
Great job! How do you paint the logo? Is it by hand?
Thanks!
Joseph
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
Those repainted FED2s are very nice looking. But theGREEN "Leica" is pretty amazing also!
My favorite one of this sellers is the brass and wood "Leica".
What I would really like to see, however, is some of these repaint guys working with someone like Oleg(OK Vintagecameras so that we could just email and ask for what specific combonation of camera and finish we want and know that the camera will be in good working condition .
Something like Arax does with the Kiev 60 and 88 cameras.
Personally I'd like two: one black and one brass(gold) Zorki 3m...
Rob
My favorite one of this sellers is the brass and wood "Leica".
What I would really like to see, however, is some of these repaint guys working with someone like Oleg(OK Vintagecameras so that we could just email and ask for what specific combonation of camera and finish we want and know that the camera will be in good working condition .
Something like Arax does with the Kiev 60 and 88 cameras.
Personally I'd like two: one black and one brass(gold) Zorki 3m...
Rob
Solinar
Analog Preferred
Get back with that GREEN Zorki 2c
Get back with that GREEN Zorki 2c
That GREEN Zorki 2c nearly broke my computer monitor!
http://www.micro-tools.com/ sells paint pens which will allow you fill-in the engravings on your FED, or whatever camera.
There was a photo on another forum which showed a factory worker at Leica using a syringe with a puny needle to do the same task on a lens.
Get back with that GREEN Zorki 2c
That GREEN Zorki 2c nearly broke my computer monitor!
http://www.micro-tools.com/ sells paint pens which will allow you fill-in the engravings on your FED, or whatever camera.
There was a photo on another forum which showed a factory worker at Leica using a syringe with a puny needle to do the same task on a lens.
L
Laika
Guest
je2a3 said:
The logos had me stumped for a while when I was planning the refinish. The way I did it was after the black paint was oven cured I used a small/med brushed and roughly "filled" the engraving (don’t worry about the excess) in white then using a thumb size pencil eraser I had cut the tip into a chisel shape I lightly wiped over it, like a squeegee. Most of the white was removed leaving only cloudy white smears, that was left over night to set but not really go off. The next day using a cutting car polish (for faded paint) on some cloth I lightly rubbed over the filled engraving. The thin stuff the squeegee left behind came off with a few gentle strokes and it kind of feathered the engraving edges leaving a stunning looking fill that couldn't be done by hand (well not mine anyway). I must admit I did practice on a chrome camera doing black fills for a while till I got the technique right, its easy on chrome if you make a mess of it a light dab with solvent on a cloth cleans it away and you can try again, on the black you can’t use solvent.
Kim Coxon
Moderator
Hi,
I like the jobs you have done. I am about to try something similiar with a Zorki 4 but have one problem. Have you or anyone else for that matter any idea on how to separate the chrome base from the back? On a Fed 4 it is easy but for the life of me, I can't see hoe the Zorki one comes apart.
No doubt it will be very easy and I will be blushing soon
Kim
I like the jobs you have done. I am about to try something similiar with a Zorki 4 but have one problem. Have you or anyone else for that matter any idea on how to separate the chrome base from the back? On a Fed 4 it is easy but for the life of me, I can't see hoe the Zorki one comes apart.
No doubt it will be very easy and I will be blushing soon
Kim
Laika said:Make sure the pictures of the Black FED2 your thinking of are clear so you have an idea of what sort of finish your getting. Some of them do look very nicely done, others look like they have had a quick spray over the chrome and body and look horrible and are likely to start flaking paint with little use
Here is my plain chrome FED2 I picked up for $20 on ebay and later stripped it down, removed the chrome from the top and bottom covers and gave it a black gloss (auto paint) refinish and a matching J8 .... it was all Jim Blazik fault
Solinar
Analog Preferred
Kim, I have the Zorki 3 and Zorki 3m, which are the predecessors to your camera. Once the screws are loosened that secure the tripod mount to the base plate, the base plate will fall off the camera back.