Fed 4b: 1st roll test problem

[juggler]

I just got my colour prints from the lab. And I am quite pleased with the overall results. 🙂

However, for 2/3 of the ASA400 roll, I found that there is a black band on the left side of the picture covering about 10% to 15%. It happened to photos taken in either portrait or landscape mode.

I had used the camera with the Jupiter-8 lens and the Industar-61 with the photos taken in daylight in the park. Couldn't be the lens, right?

Or could it be the take-up spool? It was a bit loose and I had to use some tissue to tighten it.

What else could be failing?

 

[Jocko]

That sounds to me like a shutter problem. Someone will doubtless be along in a minute who'll tell you how to fix it!

To be honest, there are often problems with newly purchased FSU cameras, especially from e-bay. These troubles are mainly effects of neglect or age and can generally be put right by a CLA (Clean-Lubricate-Adjust): the counterpart to a service on a car. Many people - like myself - who don't trust their mechanical skills send newly purchased cameras to Oleg (follow the homepage cool link "Russian Cameras") who will send them back as good as new. Or better!

Cheers, Ian

 

[pshinkaw]

It's commonly called shutter capping. It happens when one curtain moves at a slightly different speed from the other curtain or one hangs up mementarily in the track.

Does it happen at all shutter speeds? Usually when it appears, it will affect the higher speeds.

You can try to DIY fix it by adjusting the shutter curtainn tension. However, it really means that you need to have the shutter stripped down, cleaned and retimed.

-Paul

 

[Spyderman]

You don't need to

have the shutter stripped down, cleaned and retimed

you you can do it easily by yourself. More info here: http://www.jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page510.htm and here: http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-135.html

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
If the shutter is capping, you need to find the reason for it before attempting a fix. The most usual cause is drying out of the lubricants which will slow the first curtain. Increasing the tesion on the first curtain will appear to make the problem go away but it is not a cure. You are applying an excessive force to move the curtain which can put increased pressure and wear on the mech. As the lubricants dry more, you have to increase again and the situtions just gets worse. If you really want to cure the problem, you have to solve the cause and this means a clean and lube before adjusting the curtains.

IMHO, a full strip, clean, lube and adjust is not an easy or novices job. Bearing in mind how much Oleg charges, I would rather pay him to do a proper job.

Kim

You don't need to you you can do it easily by yourself. More info here: http://www.jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page510.htm and here: http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-135.html

 

[fidget]

I assume that when you say it's the same in portrait or landscape that you don't REALLY mean that it's along the LHS (longways) of the portrait shots? If it's got an unexposed band on the LHS does this not suggest that it's not capping? Wouldn't capping give a band on the left of the film aperture, thus on the RHS of a picture?

The reason that I mention this is that my FED3a did this after working well for a year. It turned out to be that the shutter released both curtains at the same time, the first pulled away from the second after about a quarter of the frame. The reason was easy to see when the top was off. The little crescent which should trap the second curtain tab as it is moved down following the shutter release button, didn't always move down at all, so it didn't stop the second curtain. It only needed some gentle lubrication of the crescent lever and it's shaft.
I think that shutter capping would give an unexposed part of the frame on the LHS of the film aperture, thus the RHS of a picture (unless you hold it upside down, of course).

 

[fidget]

Just to clarify - and in case I am very wrong, please forgive me, shutter capping is where the second curtain catches up with the first? Often dried lube and fixed by clean., lube and possibly retension of one or both curtains?

 

[Kim Coxon]

The shutter travels right to left looking at the back. Any capping will be apparent on the left. One test is to take the lens and back off and fire against a pale or white bacground. You should see it. If it is difficult, you can cover either side up with a piece of card.

Kim

Just to clarify - and in case I am very wrong, please forgive me, shutter capping is where the second curtain catches up with the first? Often dried lube and fixed by clean., lube and possibly retension of one or both curtains?

 

[juggler]

Thanks for the advise and links, guys. I will check them out and attempt the DIY if I can.

Just to clarify: With the picture facing me, the dark band appeared on the left [my left]. Yes, I think it seem to affect the higher shutter speeds. Some taken in dimmer situations looked OK.

I got the camera body fairly cheap < $10. So I am not sure whether to send for CLA. And prices for Fed 4 don't seem to be expensive, even for a working one. Might as well get a Fed 2 like most of you here? 🙂

But I like the result it gave though. The handling is nice even though it is bulky and w/o strap lugs. The only thing I dislike is the very slow rewinding.

Once again - you guys are great! Thanks!
I will post here again if I need more help.

 

[Kapa]

Ummm.... while we're talking about FED 4 does anyone have a link
to download a free manual.......?

Also, instructions on how to take off top-plate... my meter is inoperable
so going to have a go at DIY......

Cheers!