Fed 1 Repair

[Graemea]

Hi,

I have an early Fed 1 camera. The issue with it is that the mechanism that prevents the wind knob from reversing is missing.

If I wind on and hold the wind knob by hand, the shutter functions fine so it would work fine if it had an anti-reverse mechanism.

How is this accomplished and would anyone have, or be able to supply, the parts needed?

Thanks in advance.

Graeme, NZ

 

[JeffS7444]

How is this accomplished and would anyone have, or be able to supply, the parts needed?

There should be a spring-loaded pawl which prevents the mechanism from turning in the reverse direction. Are you sure that parts are actually missing? More likely I think the pawl could either be stuck due to old lubricants, or the spring has popped off at some point.

 

[Graemea]

Thanks, but I was looking for some sort of spring loaded pawl, but there doesn't seem to be anything like that.

It wasn't working when I got it and I haven't actually seen how it works. When I originally investigated it years ago, it seemed to work on some sort of strange spring in the take-up spool which I don't have. Seemed that the spring caused binding when it was released giving the anti reverse effect??

 

[wolves3012]

Thanks, but I was looking for some sort of spring loaded pawl, but there doesn't seem to be anything like that.

It wasn't working when I got it and I haven't actually seen how it works. When I originally investigated it years ago, it seemed to work on some sort of strange spring in the take-up spool which I don't have. Seemed that the spring caused binding when it was released giving the anti reverse effect??

Pretty much how it does work on a FED 1, correct. There's a spring wrapped around the driveshaft and anchored at one end. Winding uncoils it slightly, allowing it to turn. The other direction tightens the coils up and locks it solid.


You could try Oleg at OK Vintage cameras (?), he repairs these cameras and must have access to parts. Can't remember his webpage but it should come up in a search. I think he has a username on here but I'm not sure if he still logs in on here or how often.

 

[xavyr]

You could try Oleg at OK Vintage cameras (?), he repairs these cameras and must have access to parts. Can't remember his webpage but it should come up in a search. I think he has a username on here but I'm not sure if he still logs in on here or how often.

Oleg is da man: http://okvintagecamera.com/

 

[Graemea]

Thanks Wolves, I'll try contacting Oleg.


I found his web page, but no Fed spring mentioned.

 

[GMOG]

Here's a photo showing the parts from a Zorki-1:

And what it looks like assembled:

 

[David Hughes]

In your shoes I'd send the whole camera to Oleg as there's bound to be other problems given its age and condition.


Regards, David

 

[rfaspen]

Ah yes, that spring clutch.

I have encountered multiple Barnack type cameras with this problem (Leica, FSU, Canon). In every case it is because of some ham-fisted (ahem) "person" insisted on winding the camera in the opposite direction of the little arrow.

Once that spring is malformed it will never ever ever work correctly again, no matter how much you try to reform it, pray to the spring gods, etc. Only a new spring clutch will fix the problem.


Oleg is a great suggestion...

 

[neal3k]

Thanks to you folks in this thread, I just ordered a Zorki 1 from Oleg. I've got two broken ones that I got cheap, one originally for display, and decided to get one that had been checked out with CLA by Oleg.

I had heard of Oleg some time ago but forgot his name and of course, any way to reach his site.

 

[Graemea]

Hi all

Thanks for your help. I emailed Oleg but haven't had a reply.

Rather than try to post anything to Russia, it's probably going to be easier just to buy another camera body. The spring looks a small and simple part, but finding one looks hard. If I had the dimensions, you'd think it would be easy to make, but I suspect beyond me, though I've made small parts before.

Thanks for the photos Greg.

Cheers, Graeme

 

[Graemea]

Hi again,

I realize things aren't quite so straightforward. My body is of 1941 manufacture, so I think its matching 50mm Industar probably won't mount correctly on a later body - like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/184950788334

So might be back to trying to get hold of a spring again - or making one or a little pawl to provide anti reverse.

Any thoughts?

 

[Graemea]

Hi all,

Oleg has been in touch and offered me a used spring for 5 euro plus postage. I accepted his offer gratefully.

Cheers, Graeme

 

[David Hughes]

Hi again,

I realize things aren't quite so straightforward. My body is of 1941 manufacture, so I think its matching 50mm Industar probably won't mount correctly on a later body - like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/184950788334

So might be back to trying to get hold of a spring again - or making one or a little pawl to provide anti reverse.

Any thoughts?

I think you'll find that the one on ebay is from the mid 1950's. The shutter guard is a dead give-away. It was fitted from 1953 until the end of production of the FED.

(Edit) the best place to identify a FED is here:-

https://www.mikeeckman.com/sovietca...o=middle&tmpl_id=279&_m_e_id=16&_menu_i_id=87

Regards, David

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Hi again,

I realize things aren't quite so straightforward. My body is of 1941 manufacture, so I think its matching 50mm Industar probably won't mount correctly on a later body - like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/184950788334

So might be back to trying to get hold of a spring again - or making one or a little pawl to provide anti reverse.

Any thoughts?

1941 is one of the better makes: could be a true NKVD Fed. In my view its innards are as well machined as those of the Barnack Leica...I could know since I repaired /serviced several, e.g. this one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zorki_2007/albums/72157631569483687