Fed 5

The FED-5 is as good as the photographer who uses it. It's a capable if somewhat crude camera. I owned a FED-5 for a while (meterless version) but sold it. I kind of miss it, actually 😱 .

The camera is larger than the other FEDs but still smaller than most SLRs. The Industar-61 L/D lens is very good; I use one of these lenses with my Bessa R.
 
Not wanting to veer OT but for about the same money you can get a Fed 4. Same lens but (slightly) better looking camera and almost certainly better made and more likely to work properly. I always thought of them as the Zenith E of the rangefinder world. I'm surprised that they're rarely mentioned on the forum as they (along with the Zorki 4k) were omnipresent, certainly in the UK, in the 1970s.
I used one a few weeks ago with a CV 35/1.7 lens and was very impressed with accurate exposures, beautifully consistent frame spacing (Kiev take note!) and no light leaks! Even the selenium meter was still reasonably accurate. My only criticisms would be the small, dim viewfinder and lack of strap lugs...
 
If you do a search for 'Fed 5' or 'Fed 5b' you will come up with quite a few helpful threads (click inbetween the quotes for links), but here is what I think:

Great camera for the price (I got mine very cheaply with I61L/D)
They are a little rough, but reliable if working (no problem in my experience).
I don't think you can get a better camera & lens combo for the price!
Not disgustingly ugly, but not a looker either.
Handy as a take-anywhere (eg. the beach or other risky place)
Great first interchangeable lens rangefinder (CHEAP!)
Did I mention cheap?
The I61L/D is a sharp & contrasty lens.
Cheap!

-edit- I dont mean to harp on their minimal cost in any derogatory sense... they are just a bargain!
 
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Yep mine opinion about Fed 5B is also very good. Industar is very nice lens. Also mechanic performance of my '89 Fed is very good. Timings and other mechanics are OK! Not to mention that this is a camera that i can take anywhere withought worrying about it. Mine cost me 14$ (including shipping - but i live on the end of the world ;-) )
 
It's a camera that works well but that's the kind of cameras that would have used the Orcs of Mordor if there were cameras in the Lord of the Rings. as said above, it's rough, crude, and not as smooth and silky compared to a Fed-3b (which for me is the best-designed of the Fed series). I've been taking some photos with a metered Fed-5 and a J-12, and got nice results.
 
FED 5 was my first FSU camera (and 2nd rangefinder), and I've been quite impressed with it. While I've read they don't enjoy the best reputation (even by FED standards) I've found mine to be quite reliable, including the meter. As stated above, a very decent camera for the money.
 
I've had several Fed 5's, although roughly built and not too pretty, they have been the least problematic of any of my fsu cameras, other than the vertical rf alignment going off the odd time.
 
joey said:
Could someone comment on Fed-5's light meter please?
Click to expand...

it is the selenium type, no great shakes.
works ok in daylight, useless in single bulb lit places.
one can use the sunny 16 rule outside, with quicker effect though.
 
Well, I got my Fed 5, my first film camera ever, about a month ago, and have been experimenting with it since. I actually like it, but as I have nothing but my (now disfunctional) digital point-and-shoot to compare it to, you might want to take my opinion with a grain of salt.
You can take a look at my first roll with it here . Having never used a rangefinder camera before, I was pleasantly surprised to see the results (from a technical point of view, that is). The outdoor shots are metered using the on-board selenium meter, but it isn't sensitive enaugh to use in less-than-average indoor light (so I used my eyes, which don't seem to have done a better job...)

regards
Indriði
 
xayraa33, thanks!


Off-topic question: I wonder what KMZ and FED are making these days? FED or KMZ could have manufactured a rangefinder with a suitable lens or two for this rangefinder. At the right price, I am sure these cameras will sell well. 🙂
 
I do not know about FED , but KMZ makes a line of Zenit slrs , some slr lenses, night scopes, and a line of rfs for military use and optical sights for helicopter gunships and fighter planes.
the non consumer goods are of a very high standard.
I wish this quality extended to their slrs.

yes a modern mechanical Zorki in M mount would sell very well in todays market, are you listening KMZ?
 
xayraa33 said:
I do not know about FED , but KMZ makes a line of Zenit slrs , some slr lenses, night scopes, and a line of rfs for military use and optical sights for helicopter gunships and fighter planes.
the non consumer goods are of a very high standard.
I wish this quality extended to their slrs.

yes a modern mechanical Zorki in M mount would sell very well in todays market, are you listening KMZ?
Click to expand...

As far as I know KMZ stoped production of any cameras (except for spetiality cameras). FED factory is not working at all.
 
yep, here is the link to devolpment department of KMZ: http://www.zenit.istra.ru/qa/qa-production.html

It's in russian. Basically it says that the only cameras currently being produced are panoramic Horizont cameras. And there are no plans to produce any other cameras.

Further more it says that in 2003 they stoped developing and modernizing new cameras. And in 2005 they stopped producing them (except Horizont) and the department responsible for develoipment of phographic cameras was shut 🙁

Furthermore. November 17 2006 there was a big meeting where they have discussed how to avoid bancruptcy!
 
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