Fed 2 self timer orientation

[HuubL]

I've always wondered why the self timer of Fed-2's is pointing downwards when released and upwards when tensioned? Every other camera, including FSU's, have it the other way around. Is it just obstinate creativity of the first self timer assembler, which got subsequently copied by the meek mass of colleague assemblers, or is there some deeper meaning behind this. I know it's easy to turn it around and in fact I did so on my new Fed-2.

 

[mike goldberg]

Hi there HuubL,
Pointed down, or up... enjoy it. Seems to me, it's unique in
downward position. My much loved Fed-2 , probably from the
late 1950's, has no self-timer, and that's OK.
A small cable release is in my camera bag.
Cheers, mike

 

[John Robertson]

One advantage of haveing the self timer on the Fed 2 is that it gives you an extra timed shutter speed.
Wind, set shutter to B, wind self timer, finally trip the shutter with the self timer, and you will get a timed exposure of about 3-5 seconds depending on the camera. Try it and time it yourself to see what your own camera gives.This is actually mentioned in the instruction book of my late Fed 2.

 

[oscroft]

Every other camera, including FSU's, have it the other way around.

Nah they don't - my FED-3a and FED-3b both have the timers pointed downwards too.

 

[wolves3012]

Unless they've been changed (easily done) then FEDs point down and Zorkis up, when the timer is not cocked...

 

[ZorkiKat]

Nah they don't - my FED-3a and FED-3b both have the timers pointed downwards too.

Ditto with some Zorki equipped with such levers. The lever can be reinstalled pointing upwards if the 'down' orientation bothers you. It will not affect the sefttimer's function.

Jay