Buying a Fed3 or Fed4

[Deniz Merdan]

Hello,
just came across a couple of Feds at an antique store close by for $30 each.
both with a 50mm lens.
I thought it would be a good companion to the M6 and some of those jupiters are excellent.

Any advice is greatly appreciated

happy new year

 

[KenD]

My experience with FSU cameras has consisted of approximately 20% worked reasonably well, and 60% leaked light severely - even after going across the ocean to an FSU repair expert. I would say forget it... but others report different experiences.

KenD

 

[MartinP]

I'd suggest buying one which is already cleaned, re-greased and tested.. It wouldn't cost you much more either ! Also I'd recommend a late FED2, as the size (same as a Leica M) and feel (not the same as a Leica M) is more useable than the later bigger cameras.

 

[fanshaw]

I have several of both these cameras. They are robust and not usually prone to light leaks or other problems. If in good condition they can be used to produce excellent images. They are rather big and heavy for rangefinder cameras. Neither was originally sold with a Jupiter lens, but the standard Industar lenses on these models are very good.

 

[stevebrot]

If you are curious, you might just buy one for the lens. The cost to refurbish the body varies, but runs to about $75 USD if you factor in shipping. On nice thing is that at they are not complicated cameras and can be self-serviced if you are willing to invest in a few of the required tools.

As for the light leaks...FSU cameras might be worse than average. It is hard to tell. Pinhole leaks in the shutter curtains are certainly not unique to FEDs and Zorkis. Occasionally someone reports a leak from the viewfinder or rangefinder area and very, very rarely from the around the back. These are easy to detect with a bright LED flashlight and fairly easy to fix with foam, felt, or make-shift black cardboard baffles. My FED-2 (type D6) has a light leak somewhere near the rangefinder window that I am fixing with a baffle. My Zorki 4K has no light leaks. Ditto for my Kiev 4A (early type 1).


Steve

 

[wolves3012]

The lightmeter on a FED 4 is surprisingly accurate and useful (assuming it works, most seem to) and it's more common. Also makes it a bigger camera though, both versions of the 3 are smaller.