Fed 5

[giovatony]

Anyone familiar with a Fed 5?
Is this newest model the most useable one yet or is it only a cheaper version of the past , or is it perhaps a little bit of both?
Thanks,
John

 

[giovatony]

Thanks, Sitemistic,
Yeah, maybe some folks put more importance on what a camera looks like than they should but the looks aren`t any matter to me.
I can see this Fed 5 is kinda tall and rather large but I`m more interested in owning a brand new one and these are available and cheap . (like me)
John

 

[oscroft]

I've heard quite a few mentions of the FED 5 on these forums over the past couple of years, and although the things are ugly as sin (imo), every opinion I've read from anyone who has got one has been very favourable - apparently they're very pleasant to use. I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at one 😀

 

[xayraa33]

I have several Fed 5 cameras, and they are the most reliable FSU cameras I used yet.
I find the Fed 5 to be more dependable than any Zorki 4K esp. the film wind lever setup.
the Industar 61 l/d lens that comes with the Fed 5 is one sharp lens too.

 

[shadowfox]

Fed 5 is not ugly, it reminds me of the space ship controls in the 60's sci-fi movies 😀

 

[rbiemer]

The only thing I truly dislike about my FED 5 is the lack of strap lugs. Other than than that it works as well as my other FSU cameras.
And the diopter adjustment on mine lets me see all the VF without mashing my glasses against the VF so that minimizes scratches on my glasses.
If I were to get another, I'd likely get the meterless version; not that mine is bad but I have a pretty good sense of "sunny 16" so the FED's meter is a bit superfluous for me.
I dealt with the lack of strap lugs by cutting the top of the case off--not the most elegant solution but it works.
And I do like the I61 lens quite a lot.
Rob

 

[wolves3012]

I'll second the opinions above - as a user it's a good camera. Aesthetically it's not the best liked. The only downside to them is that they are late cameras and quality control was probably at its worst. Mine's a 5C and the lens is very poorly made from a mechanical viewpoint. The self-timer doesn't release the shutter, because the operating rod is too short - clearly a maufacturing defect. However, the meter is quite accurate and the whole thing actually works well. It's also cheap enough to be risked where you might not want to carry something expensive!

 

[ully]

I'll second the opinions above - as a user it's a good camera. Aesthetically it's not the best liked. The only downside to them is that they are late cameras and quality control was probably at its worst. Mine's a 5C and the lens is very poorly made from a mechanical viewpoint. The self-timer doesn't release the shutter, because the operating rod is too short - clearly a maufacturing defect. However, the meter is quite accurate and the whole thing actually works well. It's also cheap enough to be risked where you might not want to carry something expensive!

The self timer on my Fed 5 does not release the shutter either, I thought I was missing something. It runs and I hear a click but no shutter release.

Thanks

 

[wolves3012]

The self timer on my Fed 5 does not release the shutter either, I thought I was missing something. It runs and I hear a click but no shutter release.

Thanks

Maybe ours come from the same batch! One day I'll find/make a longer rod and get it to work. I pretty much have no use for the self-timer though, so I'm in no rush.

 

[giovatony]

Well, I think the above testimonials will seal my resolve to get this model.
I`m just weighing whether I want the meter or not.
I don`t normally choose a metered version.

 

[zhang xk]

According to my experience, a Fed 5 with a brown leather case is an earlier version , and is usually better made. I have an earlier one that has a quality mark stamped on the back. This is a very smooth and solidly feel camera.
I also have a later black learther case version, the selftimer did not work properly soon after I bought it.

 

[giovatony]

After much thought on this I decided to get a used one ( Fed 5V) after all.
I assume it`s an earlier one as it comes with the brown case.
As usual I put my trust in the seller who has not failed me yet. It`s my 6th FSU camera and all of them work just fine so I`m on a good roll.
Thanks for all the help.
John

 

[zhang xk]

Sorry, the one with a brown case is a Fed 5V(B).

 

[Florian1234]

What kind of case is that and where could one get a piece like that, maybe in black?

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I've also thought the 5 to be an ugly beast, much too high.
They don't seem to be talked about as much as the 2 and 3, but what little I have heard is mostly good. Anyway I bought one to see for my self, should arrive pretty soon, I'm looking forward to see one "in the flesh" and see how it holds.

It's a great pity that Fed stopped putting strap lugs on their cameras after the 3a, was this just an economy mesure?


This is the one I'm waiting for.

View attachment 53679

I find yours really cool, as you see in my signature I do not own any feds, only zorkis and Leicas, but once again I like the look of your new camera

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Thanks Ron. I wasn't really looking for a fed5 when I made a recent trade with a RFF member, but that picture sold me on it !
Looks real classy in the half case all polished shiny like that...🙂

If you find another such good looking one, please let me know

 

[gb hill]

Pitxu...I have a Fed 5 identical to the one posted. It's a fun camera and the I-61 is a sharp lens. I like the click stops on the newer I-61s. I used this camera indoors with a cannonet flash and it worked great. The exposures were spot on. I use the I-61 on my Bessa R. The meter on the Fed 5 is fun to use and is pretty good.