Fed Newbie Question

[ruben]

I will put it bluntly: I have a fed purchased from Oleg, making its trip to me. Does it mean that any m39 screw lens from leica to cosina via USSR will fit ?

Thanks,
Ruben

 

[ZorkiKat]

I will put it bluntly: I have a fed purchased from Oleg, making its trip to me. Does it mean that any m39 screw lens from leica to cosina via USSR will fit ?

Thanks,
Ruben

If the FED (is it the first, Leica II look alike or something else?) has the standard thread mount pitch and correct lens register, YES and NO.

Some LTM lenses will fit, but other won't. Whether they fit or not will depend on the type of RF cam used by the lens. Some lenses have a full 'barrel' coupling cam, others use a tongue-shaped cam. The latter won't fit at all, or won't fit safely without damaging either lens or camera.

See this thread for more details:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=399749#post399749

I can tell you with certainty that these lenses won't fit, fit with difficulty, or fit with great risk on a FED. These are what I've already tried

Leitz Summaron 3.5/35mm
Leitz Hektor 4,5/3.5mm
Ricoh G 2,8/28mm
Canon/Serenar 2/85mm
Canon/Serenar 4/100mm
Canon 3.5/100
Canon/Serenar 4/135

I can't speak much for CV, but any CV or other LTM 39 lens with a tongue-shaped cam or a notch in the mount are definitely off limits for the FED.

Some have said that altering the orientation of the camera's RF coupling sensor may accomodate some of these lenses. Note that this part's relative position (it's a pointy shaped sensor, opposed to the roller sensor found in Leica, Canon or CVoigtlaender) isn't arbitrary. Its position is determined by the camera rangefinder's requirement for correct focusing at close distances.

Jay

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Feds'n lenses

Feds'n lenses

Don't know which model you've got, Ruben, - but I got my first fsu body last week,- Fed 2, and am very pleased with it. Re. lenses - my CV 35 Ultron and collapsible Fed 50mm screw on and focus fine, but I had a problem with my 90 -Apo-Lanthar, it jams as I fit it, unless on closest focus position ( due, I think to having a cam or tab to contact the rf arm, and not a full ring, like the others ) also, when focused on a subject at 2mtrs, the lens scale shows 5mtrs ! No doubt the guys with more experience than me, will give you more info, but those are my findings, at present ! - I think it's a case of 'proceed with caution'-tho!. Incidently, my Fed 2 has a low accessory shoe, and I believe the only finder that can be used is the turret type, - I intend to remedy this, in my workshop (I'm a retired toolmaker) by milling a 'riser', - or second shoe to slip in, so I can use any regular finder, I'll post some pics when done, - and may run off a few-if there's any interest ! Regards Dave.🙂

 

[ruben]

This is my Fed 2 in transit:

http://www.okvintagecamera.com/data/pics/312.jpg

a) Will all M39 Soviet lens fit ?

b) What else will fit ?

c) Which other Fed models are not thread lens compatible with this Fed 2, i.e. lenses fitting the mentioned one may not fit the other?

Thanks,
Ruben

PS
What a mess !

 

[nzeeman]

This is my Fed 2 in transit:

http://www.okvintagecamera.com/data/pics/312.jpg

a) Will all M39 Soviet lens fit ?

b) What else will fit ?

c) Which other Fed models are not thread lens compatible with this Fed 2, i.e. lenses fitting the mentioned one may not fit the other?

Thanks,
Ruben

PS
What a mess !

it looks like you bought really nice fed 2. i think it will accept every russian lens because its a bt newer model so they have standardized mount till the time it was produced. i think only fed 1 have non standard mount. sometimes j12 wont fit but it can be easily adjusted bu pressing rf arm upward.
good luck and enjoy your fed
srdjan

PS how did you decided to join our FSU madness?

 

[Jocko]

Hallo Ruben 🙂

I have been away for quite sometime, actually taking photographs, and as an aside I would like to suggest that everyone should log on to RFF as rarely as possible, forget about equipment and instead take pictures!

As to the questions.....

a) Will all M39 Soviet lens fit ?

Once again, Yes and No. The prewar lenses with non-standard mounts will not fit postwar cameras. These lenses are effectively collectors items, thus should cause no concern.

b) What else will fit ?
The lenses not mentioned by Jay. Anything with a "full barrel" rangefinder link will fit. The CV lenses are fine.

c) Which other Fed models are not thread lens compatible with this Fed 2, i.e. lenses fitting the mentioned one may not fit the other?
The prewar FED 1s, although some may have been modified in the postwar period. Any FSU LTM post-48 will (at least in intention) be absolutely OK.

All the best, Ian 🙂

 

[dee]

Hi Ruben . I am farily [ hmmm that was supposed to read '' fairly '' , but it may be more accurate ! ] new to all this . The Fed 2 is a later camera - i am also awaiting one from Oleg , an early one with collapsible lense , but I have another with Industar 26 .
Most lenses wil fit , but proceed with caution !
Mercifully , i don't have any expensive / rare glass to put onto my Fed - just a new Jupiter 8 .
It's a realy neat camera, even by Leica standards ! [ that should get a few responses ! ]
What I mean is that it's solid and compact , and can be loaded easily !
dee

 

[dee]

Fed 2 c arrived from Oleg ... not collapsible lense - later one with blue covering and I 26 - don't even know what I am doing now !
And it rivals my cla'd Leica IIIc for wind on smoothness and rangefinding !!!
No Zorki 3 needed now !!!
dee

 

[fidget]

Whilst searching for lenses for your new kit, remember that there are a lot of 39mm thread lenses meant for SLR use, which could look like they would fit an LTM. They may physically fit, but wouldn't work on an RF (at least, not without an adapter).