Fed withdrawal.

[fidget]

With all due respect to FSU devotees, my trip through FSU Gear was wrought with pain, frustration and costs that actually went well beyond the cost of a Nikon RF. My Fed 2 and Keivs had multiple trips to repair folks like Oleg and never worked well. I tried to join your group, but couldn’t. If I am spending my time and money to take pictures, I would results.

The Fed 2 is a beautiful machine unlike anything of it’s era. I loved having it pimped with a FED 5 take-up spool. It was wonderful to handle, far better than my IIIa. Not everyone has a wonderful experience with Leicas, Nikons or Feds. If all you listen to are successes you might have folks expectations miss-set.

B2 (;->

I believe that you are right!
It's often mentioned here that the relative value of the cameras and their need for remedial work makes them particularly suited to those who are happy to tinker with them.

In my case (and quite a few others, I'm sure), the challenges of understanding them and their foibles, and then fixing them makes my connection with them more enduring.

I am in awe of those who are able/happy to pay the going rates to have someone fix/CLA theirs.

As a guide, I'd say that only one or two of say my 30ish cameras have worked without a need to tinker with them, excluding simple adjustment of the RF.

I don't use mine much any more, but now and then I look at my remaining FSU kit and experience that connection again.
As pure photography tools, I really couldn't recommend them. You've got to see something in them to want to use/fight one.

Dave....

 

[wolves3012]

It's often mentioned here that the relative value of the cameras and their need for remedial work makes them particularly suited to those who are happy to tinker with them.

In my case (and quite a few others, I'm sure), the challenges of understanding them and their foibles, and then fixing them makes my connection with them more enduring.

I am in awe of those who are able/happy to pay the going rates to have someone fix/CLA theirs.

Seconded!

As a guide, I'd say that only one or two of say my 30ish cameras have worked without a need to tinker with them, excluding simple adjustment of the RF.

Similar experience to mine. Of the 25 or so that I own/have owned, about 6 worked perfectly as-received. Probably 20 in total worked well enough to use but needed CLA or minor fiddling with. One was bought as not working (no complaints there, I wanted it for parts). Three had pinholed or ageing shutter curtains, two of those have been re-shuttered and the other I can't be bothered to do (I have another of the same model anyway) so it's one for a dark winter's fiddling, maybe.

As pure photography tools, I really couldn't recommend them. You've got to see something in them to want to use/fight one.

Once you have them working properly, they *are* capable of pretty good results but I agree with that!

 

[ivasi]

To SCOTFORTHLAD:

Do you still need FED-2? I can sell one of mines - from the year of 1957 (red-brown body) with Industar-26m, 2.8/50 (belongs to the body), or optionally equipped with Industar-50, 3.5/50, from the year of 1966. I have an excess of my equipment and want to sell some. Please let me know.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

To SCOTFORTHLAD:

Do you still need FED-2? I can sell one of mines - from the year of 1957 (red-brown body) with Industar-26m, 2.8/50 (belongs to the body), or optionally equipped with Industar-50, 3.5/50, from the year of 1966. I have an excess of my equipment and want to sell some. Please let me know.

Thanks for the offer,but I've sorted it out now,

Perhaps someone else here might be interested though.
Cheers.