Fed-1

[nick_zima]

Thanks Jay - I'll take a closer look and try the lubrication. You could well be right: after all if it were rust, then it would be surprising that the blades would move at all. As it it they are reasonably smooth but just very, very stiff. I'll report back! Nick

 

[JonP]

Jay
Thanks for that - I'll have a look - then send it to Oleg! Troublespme eyesight and fingers may stop me here.
Jon

 

[nick_zima]

freeing up aperture

freeing up aperture

Nick

the diaphragm blades in two of my prewar FED-50 all look brown or at least a shade of it. Are they rough looking? The blades may be brass. It may not be rusty blades which are the main problem here, but rather the aperture setting lever itself. This part can get stuck from all the detritus it has gathered through the years.

Try freeing the aperture setting lever by injecting a very minute amount of lighter fluid in the seams/groove where the lever runs. Don't get any of it between the ring and lens. Then follow this with an injection of 50% fine machine oil (sewing machine oil will do) + 50% lighter fluid for lubrication. If the ring goes smooth, your problem is solved.

If you plan to disassemble your FED-50, see here:

http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page325.htm
The Industar-22/-50 are built the same way as the FED-50/Industar-10. You may be able to access the diaphragm blades and clean them. Don't be afraid of going inside the lens. 🙂 If the blades, as you said, are really rusty, you don't really lose much if you foul up the restoration process. But if your attempt is successful, you'll have a working, matched lens for your FED NKVD.

Jay

Jay 1000 thanks! - followed instructions to the letter and, hey presto! a smoothly working set of diaphragm blades. Aperture as fine as you could wish for. Not for the first time I recognise the qualities of Soviet workmanship: I remember, when living in St Petersburg, how ofen my Zhiguli ('Lada') model 11 would seize up then be brought back to life by Seriozha Lysov, master car mechanic and master photographer!

 

[ZorkiKat]

Jay 1000 thanks! - followed instructions to the letter and, hey presto! a smoothly working set of diaphragm blades. Aperture as fine as you could wish for. Not for the first time I recognise the qualities of Soviet workmanship: I remember, when living in St Petersburg, how ofen my Zhiguli ('Lada') model 11 would seize up then be brought back to life by Seriozha Lysov, master car mechanic and master photographer!

Great to hear that Nick! Another FED/FED-50 brought back to life! Another
quality which these Soviet cameras are known for- a defect/symptom observed in one is likely to be found in another, and the cure is almost always the same. 🙂

Jay