Fed 2b, shutter speed selection before cocking?

K

Krasnaya_Zvezda

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On page 103 of Princelle, 2nd edition under Fed-2 type-b 1956-1958 it states:
Identical to Fed-2a, but with flash sync
Shutter speed selection before or after cocking.

That second statement raised my eyebrows.
Is this true? I have a 2c, which is basically identical to 2b, but I'm not willing to test this, having already ruined a Fed 5 in the same way, and the innumerable warnings I have seen. Anyone have a clue about this?
 
I'm guessing it’s a typo. I've had a few later FED2's apart and cant see why they wouldn't be damaged the same as the others.... always wind on first IMO
 
I've read similar reports on some other sites but all came with the warning that you try at your own risk. Even people like Jim Blazik won't guarantee it'll work.
 
Since the shutter speed dial rotates on all these cameras, it's actually not very meaningful to set the speed before cocking since it'll be guesswork where to drop the dial. From how they work I'd say you can probably get away with setting a higher speed but it'd be risky setting a lower one. It's just simpler not to risk it . There can't be many situations where you want to change speed in advance of cocking anyway.
 
I believe that the speeds can be changed if the range does not include any slow speeds as this mechanism can be damaged. Even on cams with slow speeds, I understand that no harm will be done if speed changes are made within the group of fast speeds to one side of the slow. ....But I wouldn't recommend it, better to get and keep the safe mentality. Of course on some speed dials the speed is shown correctly before and after winding, I've made changes without cocking, and got away with it..
Dave.....
 
I guess it is because the shutter speed selector is like on a Zenit E. The indicator of selected shutter speed is on the axis of the shutter speed wheel, and it turns all together. So even with fired shutter, the dot still points at the right shutter speed.

Also, the warning "set shutter speed after cocking" is valid for cameras with slow speeds. If there are no slow speeds you can't mess anything, except that you won't know which speed you selected.
 
Spyderman said:
I guess it is because the shutter speed selector is like on a Zenit E. The indicator of selected shutter speed is on the axis of the shutter speed wheel, and it turns all together. So even with fired shutter, the dot still points at the right shutter speed.

Also, the warning "set shutter speed after cocking" is valid for cameras with slow speeds. If there are no slow speeds you can't mess anything, except that you won't know which speed you selected.
Having just received my first FED 2 I see what you mean - you can still reference the set speed when the shutter isn't cocked. All my other cameras have rotating dials and fixed references, where it makes no sense to try setting beforehand.

Rather than figure which cameras can and can't be damaged, it's surely simpler to set *after* cocking as a "safe" habit? If you own only one there might be some merit in knowing, I guess.
 
It is not a typo. That's official factory instruction.

The later FED-2 had a shutter dial which was different from the earlier ones. The earlier FED-2 used a dial which was similar to the one found on the FED-1 and yes, even the later FED-3, -4, and -5. These were the "solid" dials which required cocking before changing speeds.

However, on the later dials speed changing before or after cocking was possible. These dials were two-piece affairs. The outer portion of the dial where the shutter speeds marks were could be turned independently of the central part. This allowed the dial to be moved regardless of the shutter's state.

When the outer dial is lifted, the pin which engage with the speed regulator disc can be safely moved from one position to another. The central portion stays in place. No harm can be done to the shutter with this type of dial when it is shifted uncocked.

This isn't possible with the singled dial types. Doing this with the single dial types can damage the shutter speed mechanism. Single dials are connected to the shaft of the shutter drum. It is the drum's movement in the shutter's uncocked state - as what would happen if the single dial is moved for changing speeds- which causes shutter damage.

The double dial design was also found in Zorki-5, Zorki-6, Zenit 3M, and Zenit-E.

I've changed speeds with double dials with the shutter uncocked. I can vouch that nothing bad happens to the shutter and it works. They were designed to work that way. Of course, it's better to err on the safe side and always change speeds when the shutter is cocked.


Why FED reverted to the older-style single piece dial can be a matter of speculation. Single-piece dials were easier and faster, and costs less to make.
That would mean more cameras coming off the assembly line in shorter times. Or perhaps, the double dial design did not allow the incorporation of a slow speed mechanism.

192865396.jpg


Jay
 
Spyderman said:
Also, the warning "set shutter speed after cocking" is valid for cameras with slow speeds. If there are no slow speeds you can't mess anything, except that you won't know which speed you selected.


It is also valid for cameras without slow shutter speeds. Changing speeds before cocking a FED-1 or Zorki-1 shutter can lead to damage.
 
ZorkiKat said:
......The later FED-2 had a shutter dial which was different from the earlier ones. The earlier FED-2 used a dial which was similar to the one found on the FED-1 and yes, even the later FED-3, -4, and -5. These were the "solid" dials which required cocking before changing speeds.

However, on the later dials speed changing before or after cocking was possible. These dials were two-piece affairs. .......

Thank you Jay, that was informative, and clear pictures to support the point.

The real problem I find is trying to remember which make or model where you can or can't select before cocking. The conservative rule is: if the dial rotates then cock first. That means you miss the opportunity to select first on one camera or the other, but at least you don't make silly mistakes.

I recall advice from the 1950s - keep the camera cocked. I wonder if that was in order to avoid this mistake, although the more obvious advantage was to be ready to take a picture.
 
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