FED1 + Leitz + DIY 35mm finder

[laptoprob]

So here it is. My beautiful FED1. It came with a very nice Elmarski 50mm lens. I already had a '35 uncoated Elmar, I had a 35mm uncoated Elmar coming.
Shown together with a SOOGZ adapter from 36mm slip-on to 39mm screw filter so it will accept the same filters as most of my other glass.
On top of the FED is a tiny 35mm finder ripped from a single-use camera and covered with a piece of original Zorki bottom plate. The Zorki already passed to the eternal light.
I will try and compare this kit with the Canon 35/2,8 and 25/3,5 lenses shortly.

Rob

 

[xayraa33]

very nice work Rob, what kind of single use cameras are they? I wonder if that type can be found in North America?

 

[laptoprob]

very nice work Rob, what kind of single use cameras are they? I wonder if that type can be found in North America?

The single use Cameras I destroyed for this were Fuji ones.
That 35mm brightline model Gman mentioned is interesting!

Rob.

 

[FrankS]

Looks good, G'man. What kind of grip do you have on that Fed2?

 

[FrankS]

How is the upright grip portion attached to the baseplate portion, if I may ask?

 

[laptoprob]

Looks like a baseplate under the whole camera, Frank. Probably with an upwards bent part with a little wood on it?
That finder would be too big for my FED1 though.

Rob

 

[clarence]

I just made a finder for my J-12. Many thanks to Rob's instructions and the one's on Jay's website at:

http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page358.htm

Now if I could just find a disposable camera with a 28mm lens.

Clarence

 

[ZorkiKat]

I just made a finder for my J-12. Many thanks to Rob's instructions and the one's on Jay's website at:

http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page358.htm

Now if I could just find a disposable camera with a 28mm lens.

Clarence

Clarence

Most disposables are fitted with lenses whose FLs range from 24-30. The disposable I wrecked to make the WA angle had an optical finder which matched the field of a 28mm lens.

Jay

 

[clarence]

Yes, it's just that I don't always bring my SLR and my 28mm lens around when I'm shopping. As far as I'm aware, most disposable cameras don't come with any indications on the package regarding what focal length they're using. I only found out after I brought the disposable camera I'd bought back home, and compared it with my 35mm lens, that the field of view was something closer to 35mm instead.

Clarence

 

[clarence]

I thought I'd post my build log here in case anyone's wondering how an amateur might do it the first time.

It took me about 5 hours. But I was working at a very leisurely pace, and playing around with various configurations. The process could be summed up as such:

1. opening the camera in a changing bag and rewinding the film into the cartridge
2. removal of finder from body (outside of changing bag). There were no screws or glue to deal with. Everything's attached by slots and tabs
3. Cutting and filing of pieces of soft plastic (from the disposable camera body) to form the case for the finder
4. Removal of plastic shoe from old, broken flash unit. To be safe, I didn't cut any wires, I just ripped them apart while only holding on to the plastic casing.
5. Putting the finder, case and shoe together using duct tape
6. Checking the finder's alignment by mounting it on a Zorki 4 and a tripod. A turret finder was also used for calibration. I aimed everything at a bookshelf 1m away and pulled out books to indicate the center and left and right limits. I set both finders for infinity, though.
7. Glueing the finder together once alignment is verified.

Tools and parts needed:
Micro screwdriver
Metal File
Sharp, strong knife for cutting soft plastic
Blower for getting rid of plastic grit and dust
Superglue or contact cement or similar bonding adhesive
Duct tape
Disposable Camera
Broken flash unit or anything with a shoe
Tripod
Camera
An already calibrated 35mm Viewfinder (you could use an SLR instead)

Clarence

 

[ZorkiFan]

Way to cool Clarence, you even saved the film. I'd have never thought to do that.

I guess I have learned to think of film as disposable. I sure waste enough playing around. 🙂

 

[clarence]

I made a mistake while rewinding the film, though. I was rewinding it by hand, just twisting the top with my fingers. What that means is that I was just building up revolution after revolution of tension without any film going in.

After so many revolutions, the film zipped right into the cartridge. And I was left without a leader.

Anyone have any ideas on how to get the film leader out? I don't want to have to spend on getting a film retriever.

Thanks.

Clarence

 

[laptoprob]

I got my disposables already emptied.
Do be careful with the electrics, the flash condensator remains charged for a very long time, even if the battery is removed.
I got a crippled Steinheil 35mm finder afterwards, with broken front glass and missing parallax adjustment. I filed this one down to the smallest foot possible and mounted a plastic front lens from a disposible instead of the broken original glass. Small and perfect!

 

[ZorkiFan]

Anyone have any ideas on how to get the film leader out? I don't want to have to spend on getting a film retriever.

you might try this page;

http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/text-retriever.html

It may not work though. Even the retrievers sometimes dont work

 

[clarence]

Thanks, Keith. It's fascinating. I'll try it right now.

Clarence

 

[physiognomy]

Hi Clarence,

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I have done this once before in a dark room with the safety light on...Maybe you could do it in a changing bag? First I opened the film canister carefully with a bottle opener & threaded the leader back through the opening slot... Then I popped the side of the canister back on & loaded the film straight into a camera because I was a little worried about the canister being light tight. All turned out well as I forgot what I had done once the roll was finished & took it out for normal develoment. All the pictures turned out ok.

Cheers!

Peter

... Anyone have any ideas on how to get the film leader out? I don't want to have to spend on getting a film retriever.

Thanks.

Clarence

 

[clarence]

I tried every method listed on that page. No success, unfortunately.

I might just wait for the day when I decide to buy a film leader retriever, or I might just pop the can and respool the film on another cassette.

Thanks anyway.

Clarence

 

[clarence]

Hi Clarence,

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I have done this once before in a dark room with the safety light on...Maybe you could do it in a changing bag? First I opened the film canister carefully with a bottle opener & threaded the leader back through the opening slot... Then I popped the side of the canister back on & loaded the film straight into a camera because I was a little worried about the canister being light tight. All turned out well as I forgot what I had done once the roll was finished & took it out for normal develoment. All the pictures turned out ok.

Cheers!

Peter

How did you manage to reseal the canister, Peter?

Clarence

 

[tkluck]

An easier homemade finder. One piece:

http://www.ragarecords.com/photo/diy_viewfinder.html

I've never regretted buying a retriever! Keep one in the bottom of each bag. Violates Murphy's Law not to have one.