FED 5 - Good/Bad?

[berci]

Hi,

Is it worth spending some local currency on a FED 5 which is in fairly good condition?

Any opinions are welcome.

Berci

 

[doubs43]

The FED-5 can be a nice camera. The one I have looks like new and carries the USSR symbol of quality. The shutter, however, allows a sliver of light to enter when being wound as the first and second curtains separate slightly at the beginning of the cocking stroke. I haven't had the time to fool with it but it should be a simple fix....... once it's apart, that is!

But, a good FED-5 will serve you well, IMO.

Walker

 

[newspaperguy]

Good solid starter camera.

One of the best viewfinders in an FSU camera.

Heavy enough it won't blow away when the wind blows 😉

Rick

 

[Oldprof]

I own several Russian and Ukrainian rangefinders, including a FED 5B (the meterless version). I'm not sure why I bought the FED 5B ... in my opinion it is one of the ugliest and clunkiest of the FSU cameras. By comparison my Kiev 4a is positively beautiful, and my FED 1g and Zorki 1e (both Leica II copies) are petite and elegant. But the FED 5B is capable of taking fine photographs.

 

[kiev4a]

I don't own a FED 5 but I've handed a friend's camera. Actually has a pretty good feel. There seem to be a lot of them available in virtually new condition. If I was going to get one I would look for the slightly older model (I forget the letter designation) that has an outlet on the back of the rangefinder housing for a pc flash cord. Later ones only had a hotshoe. The FED 5s are new enough the meters still work on most of them (to one degree or another)

 

[pshinkaw]

It depends on how much local currency.

I've got 3.5 Fed-5B's. Only one works perfectrly right now (the 0.5 is a parts camera). The one that works is so good I keep it in the office. Can't wait until someone comes in and asks to borrow my camera.

I think average purchase price is around $20 US a camera plus another $10 average per camera for shipping.

It's a good, basic, no frills camera.

-Paul

 

[Jon Goodman]

For what it is worth, I find the FED 4 to be better. The 5C has an irritating black dot in the viewfinder/rangefinder which makes you look just beneath/around it to focus.
Jon

 

[Krasnaya_Zvezda]

My black Fed 5C has worked its way up the ladder as my main RF street shooter, especially since I got rid of the top half of the eveready case, and just carry it in the bottom half. Having the built in meter on board is a definite plus. Getting some good shots using a flash as well.
As pshinkaw stated, depends on how much local currency is involved.
Jon, I've never noticed such a black dot in my viewfinder. I'm gonna look when I get home. I hope it truly isn't there and I've just never noticed, 'cause if it is there, now that you've brought it to my attention, it will probably drive me crazy.

 

[newspaperguy]

FWIW - When figuring pricing... don't forget the cost of your money order, etc.
in addition to the freight from the FSU... and the four-week delay at best.
(Actually, it seems much, much, much longer.) 🙁

Cameras already in the USA seem to be going for quite a bit more.

Rick... who never said it was pretty