HuhYashica
Established
Hey guys,
Well my friend gave me his FED 2 I don't know to much about this camera other than it's a Leica copy. But could you tell me some advantages and disavantages about the Fed 2 over the other Feds that's not in the Beginner's Guide? I already have a lens in mind I want Jupiter 8 do you guys suggest that?
Well my friend gave me his FED 2 I don't know to much about this camera other than it's a Leica copy. But could you tell me some advantages and disavantages about the Fed 2 over the other Feds that's not in the Beginner's Guide? I already have a lens in mind I want Jupiter 8 do you guys suggest that?
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
You'll probably find much of what you wish to discover in the "FSU" forum. Peter
02Pilot
Malcontent
Advantages? Smaller than the later models, long RF base, simple operation, fairly rugged, arguably better looking than the later models. J-8 is a great lens to start with, though there are cheaper options that will serve you well too.
Murray Kelly
Well-known
The FED-2 can be addictive - other cheaper lenses would be the I-61 and that family until you decide you want more. That lens is very good.
The eyeglass diopter adjusting lever is moved too easily and I keep mine in place with a drop of hot glue. Easily removed if you want to.
Very quiet shutter when set correctly.
The eyeglass diopter adjusting lever is moved too easily and I keep mine in place with a drop of hot glue. Easily removed if you want to.
Very quiet shutter when set correctly.
Tsukiouji
Member
I like FED-2, solid camera with nice feel and handling. Most of FED-2s allow to set shutter speed before cocking the shutter — this feature was implemented at 1956 according to G.Abramov ( www.photohistory.ru ), while cameras were produced during 1955-1970.
And speaking of Jupiter-8, if you want to shoot with it wide open, try closing it down like 1/3 or 1/2 stops for buttery-smooth bokeh.
And speaking of Jupiter-8, if you want to shoot with it wide open, try closing it down like 1/3 or 1/2 stops for buttery-smooth bokeh.
Kekoekoo
Member
It is a pretty nice camera IMO! The BIG con for me it's the viewfinder...When you wear glases it's little bit of a pain to look through it and it scratches the glasses (solved it with hot glue too around the viewfinder)...
But it has it own charm...and it's quite small. I only stoped using it because it broke after a COUPLE travels to the floor!
But it has it own charm...and it's quite small. I only stoped using it because it broke after a COUPLE travels to the floor!
Sid836
Well-known
I love it with its compact looks with the collapsible Fed-50 (Industar-10) lens. That lens is not an awesome performer, but awesomeness is not what I look for in my pictures.
nongfuspring
Well-known
I have an industar 26 which are incredibly cheap and not bad at all, never tried a Jupiter 8 but they have a great reputation. My only advice would be to buy a lens hood (cheap ones can be had on ebay) what ever you end up getting since soviet lenses tend not to be very flare resistant.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
I'll go along with the others, it's a very good camera to start with and to keep forever. It was a sensible development of the earlier models with better features like the removable back, longer focussing, RF base and so on (especially the strap lugs). But I wouldn't call it a Leica copy; the FED's of the 30's onwards were but gradually drifted away until - as the FED 2 - it became a development of the FED 1...
Either the Jupiter-8 or the Industar 61LD work well on it. The J-8 needs a Leica style circular lens hood with straight sides and vents as it turns when you focus. The 61 can take a rectangular hood, that some think looks better. Lens hoods for either are dirt cheap on ebay. Another pus point is that instruction manuals are easily available, even as originally supplied, meaning a booklet.
Regards, David
I'll go along with the others, it's a very good camera to start with and to keep forever. It was a sensible development of the earlier models with better features like the removable back, longer focussing, RF base and so on (especially the strap lugs). But I wouldn't call it a Leica copy; the FED's of the 30's onwards were but gradually drifted away until - as the FED 2 - it became a development of the FED 1...
Either the Jupiter-8 or the Industar 61LD work well on it. The J-8 needs a Leica style circular lens hood with straight sides and vents as it turns when you focus. The 61 can take a rectangular hood, that some think looks better. Lens hoods for either are dirt cheap on ebay. Another pus point is that instruction manuals are easily available, even as originally supplied, meaning a booklet.
Regards, David
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Scrambler
Well-known
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135207
We have been sending a Fed 2 with Industar 61l/d around the Australian members for 6 months. This thread talks about the camera. There is a separate thread with the photos.
We have been sending a Fed 2 with Industar 61l/d around the Australian members for 6 months. This thread talks about the camera. There is a separate thread with the photos.
Penny Lane
Hopelessly Citrophile
I beg to differ
The old silver-bodied (as well as silver/tabbed) Jupiter-8, the Industar-26 (m only? Also, the tabbed version) and the Industar-61 (white, panda & L/D) all share what is technically the same lens body. The only real difference is the design of the focusing ring. Optical blocks will swap from one to the other without problems. All of them also have non-rotating optical blocks, thus handling square lens hoods perfectly.
The confusion begins with the late-model black J-8 which is much simplified, mechanically, at the expense of a double focusing helicoid. On that lens, a square hood will indeed have its disadvantages.
Derk
HuhYashica
Established
I'm looking into getting a I-61LD instead of a Jupiter 8 for my first lens. On "Fedka" there going for $50 is that a good price for it? Does anybody know any other websites. That ship in the states?
nongfuspring
Well-known
Ebay. Though if you buy through Fedka you'll be able to return it easily if there's anything wrong with it and won't have to wait 2+ weeks for it to arrive as you would if you if buy from a seller based in one of the former soviet states.
In my personal experience with ebay, I've been sent surprisingly good gear, properly calibrated and well packed. There's a thread in the FSU forum here with recommended ebay sellers.
02Pilot
Malcontent
Fedka is excellent and stands behind his products, though you do pay a premium for that. I've bought several items from him, including one that had a problem and required return, and I have absolutely no complaints. Personally, I'd happily pay a few extra dollars to know that I was going to end up with what I expected, but that's your decision.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
I've bought from Fedka too. The premium price is the cost of knowing you won't get a box with a rock in it (not saying that happens often) and the lens will perform as expected. Jay (Fedka) used to cherry pick stuff for his customers so you know you're getting a particularly nice example of whatever you're buying. This is most helpful if you're buying a lens because FSU gear can vary quite a bit in terms of quality. Examples of the same model lens (even the same year of production) can range from outstanding to awful. You probably want outstanding...
An I-61 or I-26 (really the same thing to me) for $50 is on the high end, but remember, there's not much of a gamble if its coming from Fedka. Personally, I'll fork over $20-40 for one of those lenses if they're a good one. The J-8 really is a nicer lens. Not necessarily sharper though. Only the late black versions have rotating objectives. I prefer the earlier versions. My 1956 copy gives me nicer images than my Elmar of about the same age. Faster too. And now that I've mentioned the Elmar, I think the FSU Elmar copies (not exact copies, as someone may mention) such as the I-10 or I-22 are particularly nice on a Fed 2. They collapse and make a compact camera for carrying, and they perform just fine. I have a few favorite images that were taken with an I-22.
I hope you thorougly enjoy your Fed 2.
An I-61 or I-26 (really the same thing to me) for $50 is on the high end, but remember, there's not much of a gamble if its coming from Fedka. Personally, I'll fork over $20-40 for one of those lenses if they're a good one. The J-8 really is a nicer lens. Not necessarily sharper though. Only the late black versions have rotating objectives. I prefer the earlier versions. My 1956 copy gives me nicer images than my Elmar of about the same age. Faster too. And now that I've mentioned the Elmar, I think the FSU Elmar copies (not exact copies, as someone may mention) such as the I-10 or I-22 are particularly nice on a Fed 2. They collapse and make a compact camera for carrying, and they perform just fine. I have a few favorite images that were taken with an I-22.
I hope you thorougly enjoy your Fed 2.
02Pilot
Malcontent
Good point about the collapsible lenses. My FED-2 came with the I-26. To upgrade it I later bought a J-8. Later still, a bought a collapsible FED 50 (AKA I-10) from someone here on RFF. Even though the J-8 is in general more capable of producing images to my taste, it's the collapsible lens that lives on the camera most of the time. The advantages in convenience more often than not outweigh the slight edge in subjective image quality - just stick it in your pocket and go.
HuhYashica
Established
At the moment I kind of on a budget. So the J-8 which is $80 on Fedka is kind of my limit. But I was looking at the lenses on there, Out of the J-8, I-61, and FED 50 what would your order be? By ranking them.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
J-8. Have all free of them. Gave away I-61L/D as camera cap with Bessa L.
The only reason to have I-10, FED 50 3.5 is because it fits on some cameras, where I-22, 50 doesn't.
Best from collapsible FSU is I-22, but I forgot if it fits on FED-2.
For $80 J-8 must be perfectly clean in and out, white, with collar, from fifties, with caps included.
Where are plenty of reputable sellers from Ukraine on e-bay. No difference from USA e-bay sellers.
Working Fed-2 with I-26m would be well under $80 from them.
I recently purchased Zorki-6 with I-50 from English dude who lives/works in Ukraine. Excellent experience. And he is not overcharging for product and shipment, which was fast as well.
The only reason to have I-10, FED 50 3.5 is because it fits on some cameras, where I-22, 50 doesn't.
Best from collapsible FSU is I-22, but I forgot if it fits on FED-2.
For $80 J-8 must be perfectly clean in and out, white, with collar, from fifties, with caps included.
Where are plenty of reputable sellers from Ukraine on e-bay. No difference from USA e-bay sellers.
Working Fed-2 with I-26m would be well under $80 from them.
I recently purchased Zorki-6 with I-50 from English dude who lives/works in Ukraine. Excellent experience. And he is not overcharging for product and shipment, which was fast as well.
HuhYashica
Established
I finally picked up the camera from my friend today, and the lens that comes with it is a I-26. Whats the big difference between those too? I know they're really similar. Sorry for asking so many questions.
02Pilot
Malcontent
Most Soviet 50s are derivatives of the basic Tessar formula: four elements in three groups. The FED/I-10, I-22, I-26M, I-50, and I-61L/D are all optically quite similar (though not identical). The J-8 is a Sonnar formula (as is the J-3) and thus produces quite a different look.
If you have a body and lens, why not just start shooting with that and get a feel for the camera and the images it produces before buying another 50? The I-26 is no slouch.
If you have a body and lens, why not just start shooting with that and get a feel for the camera and the images it produces before buying another 50? The I-26 is no slouch.