Fed Macro Rings? How the hell do you use them?

[gbb]

Hello, Everyone

My name is Gaby, and I'm addicted to old FSU rangeinders. I've been lurking here for a while, and finally have something I actually need to know and haven't seen in previous threads. I found at a local flea market a set of extension rings marked FED, which fit my Zorki 4. How do you focus, and what exposure compensation do you use for the different lengths and comnbinations? Just curious. BTW, I also found a mint J-3 in Kiev mount, so lacking a Kiev camera to put it on, I'm in the horns of a dilemma: sell or trade the lens to get a j-9 for the zork, or get a Kiev!! Any and all help will be appreciated.

GBB 🙂 🙂

 

[Nickfed]

Now that the 1960's are here, I can't think of any camera accessory that is less practical than a set of LTM macro rings, unless, of course they are tubes, which would have to be even more useless. About the only sensible thing you can do is get an early LTM Zenit SLR. Then you could macro shoot your way to glory!

mag and focus are calculated by v/u and 1/v + 1/u = 1/f and you have to measure the length of the tube or thickness of the rings. Exposure is determined by the real aperture and image distance.

Most obvious example is a 50mm tube and a 50mm lens focussed on an object 100mm away gives 1:1 repro and requires two stops compensation.

 

[rbiemer]

Hello, Everyone

My name is Gaby, and I'm addicted to old FSU rangeinders. I've been lurking here for a while, and finally have something I actually need to know and haven't seen in previous threads. I found at a local flea market a set of extension rings marked FED, which fit my Zorki 4. How do you focus, and what exposure compensation do you use for the different lengths and comnbinations? Just curious. BTW, I also found a mint J-3 in Kiev mount, so lacking a Kiev camera to put it on, I'm in the horns of a dilemma: sell or trade the lens to get a j-9 for the zork, or get a Kiev!! Any and all help will be appreciated.

GBB 🙂 🙂

Get a Kiev for that J-3! As for the extension rings; I just bought a set to use on my RF cameras as part of a pinhole setup I'm putting together. The rings will give me various focal lengths(=different field of view). They are coming with a set of instructions for use with RF cameras as macro gear. The instructions are in Russian, which I can't read. If you can read 'em, I'd be happy to send the instructions to you.
Rob

 

[gbb]

Hey, Rob

That's a pretty cool idea, a rf pinhole w ext rings!! I knew there was a useful application for them rings just waiting for me. Anyway, I can't read russian myself, but my doorman can, so I would enjoy getting a copy of the instructions from you.
On the subject of the Kiev, I was hoping someone has an extra body lying around that can be pressed into service 😉 I put the lens up for sale here and in pnet, but am having serious doubts. My only hesitation is the qc on these cameras, I'm on my third zorki4 and counting (luckily, or incredibly, the store I bought it from gave me a 6 mo warranty). So I'm a little hesitant about starting a new rrf chapter in my life (I got to get back to 6x6 and larger format soon, but these little cameras are so much fun!).
Anyway, if a user kiev body were to make itself available I'd consider putting the j3 through its paces just out of curiosity. BTW, have you used one of these? Do you speak from experience or hope?

GBB

 

[rbiemer]

Gaby,
No, I haven't used a J-3 lens on my Kievs. But the cameras are very nice! I have a '67 vintage 4a and a '68(maybe) 4 that's been turned into a "contax"--black paint and re-engraved--and, sorry, but I'm not parting with either of them cuz I like them to well!
The sample to sample quality variation seems to be less on Kiev gear than the other FSU stuff[based on my limited experience and what I've read here and elsewhere].
I figure about two or three weeks until I get the package with the rings, so PM me anytime with your snail-mail addy and I will be happy to send a copy of the instructions along.
I can't imagine doing macro with an RF camera to be anything but a major PITA, though.
Rob