confused about FED lens choices

[tunznath]

I am new to FSU rangefinders,
Have 2 x yashica G and a GTN,and just got a FED 3b, looked through the threads got confused and need info on lenses,

Whats with the size threads 39mm?
What other brands can fit FED3?
What is the best performing FSU lens that is affordable/cheap?
(what I suppose I am looking for here would be something like the
unfortunately plastic Nikkor 50mm f1.8D for the plastic nikon D50 I also own).

Also What FED2 is a good user?
Sorry if this has been covered in another post. if it has point me in the right direction.
Thanks
Nathan

 

[Jocko]

I am new to FSU rangefinders,

Hallo Nathan

Whats with the size threads 39mm?

It's the "bore" of a Leica thread screw mount (LTM)

What other brands can fit FED3?

LTM lenses by Voigtlander, Canon, Leica, most Soviet manufacturers and more.

What is the best performing FSU lens that is affordable/cheap?

Most people would say the Jupiter 8, but the Industar 61 has its admirers.

Also What FED2 is a good user?

Yes it is! I like it very much! But opinions always differ. Have a search and you'll find endless discussions on the various merits of everything.... 🙂

All the best, Ian!

 

[FrankS]

I am new to FSU rangefinders,
Have 2 x yashica G and a GTN,and just got a FED 3b, looked through the threads got confused and need info on lenses,

Whats with the size threads 39mm? Yes.
What other brands can fit FED3? All LTM lenses made by Leitz, Canon, nikkor, and the new Cosina-Vioghtlander lenses.What is the best performing FSU lens that is affordable/cheap? There are several answers here. My fav. is the 50mm J8. The faster J3 is great too but often needs tweaking to focus properly. These lenses are Sonnar copies. The I-10, 22, and 50 are collapsible versions and copies of the Tessar type lens. The rigid I-26 is very sharp. In 35mm, the J12 is a great lens.
(what I suppose I am looking for here would be something like the
unfortunately plastic Nikkor 50mm f1.8D for the plastic nikon D50 I also own).

Also What FED2 is a good user? Yes, only the viewfinder is a bit squinty, but you could use an external 50mm brightline finder.Sorry if this has been covered in another post. if it has point me in the right direction.
Thanks
Nathan

 

[tunznath]

Wow that was quick thanks guys - time to start looking

Nathan

 

[Ash]

39mm - M39 LTM lenses, but make sure they're rangefinder coupled. There are 39mm screwthread SLR lenses for the old Zenith SLR's. Avoid those lenses or you won't be able to use the rangefinder.

Go for a Jupiter8 to begin with, then get a J-3 if you feel the need for the extra speed. I use collapsible Industar-50 for convenience, the loss of speed is balanced by 'pocketability'.

I have a Fed-2, and its very good as a carry-around camera, but it does make you squint a helluva lot.

 

[tunznath]

I had a leica m3 double stroke about 12 years ago and sold it for about £170 with a 135 one of those viewfinder things and a 50mm collapsible - i must say i liked the collapsible lens, although it looked a little odd on the more modern M3 body
nathan

 

[rolleistef]

You got £170 for a m3 with a 50 and a 135! Gosh... it was damn cheap at that moment...

 

[tunznath]

Hi rolieistef, as I said it was about 12 years ago - sold it in South Africa, needed the money at the time - would have prefered to have hung on to it to wait for a better deal, then again all my SLR stuff got stolen about 5 years ago in SA so I would have lost it then and got nothing - oh well %^%^ happens,

Nathan

 

[guinness]

I use an Industar 61 L/D on my FED 2, but the Industar-26 worked well too, probably the same lens design, just different glass. I've never read great things about the Jupiter 3 in LTM, but mine in Contax mount works fine. Haven't tried the Jupiter 8 in LTM, but have 3 in Contax mount, but haven't used those either. Not blown away by the Jupiter 12 (Contax mount), it's either me or the lens can't focus well.

I like the FED 2, but prefer the Kiev by a fair bit, since it's easier to focus.

 

[w3rk5]

I think the Industar 61 series are hard to beat for the money. If you want a little more speed the Jupiter 8 is a good buy. My favorite LTM lens is the Jupiter-3 though.