martinsmith99
Established
Do any of you use a FED2 as your main camera or do they just see rare usage?
I'm thinking of getting one of these as they look like real workhorses.
I'm thinking of getting one of these as they look like real workhorses.
climbing_vine
Well-known
It's my main film camera. Gets used at least weekly.
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
Not exactly my no.1 camera - but does see regular use, as when fitted with a collapsible 50mm it's nice and compact, and fits in a ( large ) pocket!, apart from that I really like the camera, and the long-base r/f on mine is very good.
Just get one from someone like Fedka - mine came from him four years ago, and is smooth as silk!.
Dave.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Not so much, but the long rf base as Dave mentioned made this camera a dream to use. I need to take it out more. Definitely a good one. I second the recommendation to Fedka. or OKcamera.
and
and
Proteus617
Established
My Fed2 gets a roll a week. I think the cam and the Industar26m are underrated.
ethics_gradient
Well-known
Not so much, but the long rf base as Dave mentioned made this camera a dream to use. I need to take it out more. Definitely a good one. I second the recommendation to Fedka. or OKcamera.
and
The black FED looks really sharp. I've read a few DIY guides to stripping/re-painting cameras, I think a FED-2 would by my first attempt.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
It's the better of my two, though older.
martinsmith99
Established
Thanks for the replies & the recommended sellers. I'll check them out.
mh2000
Well-known
I hate the dark VF (it's supposed to be dark). It may increase RF contrast, but it ruins the camera for me. If you can get over that, it's a nicely designed camera.
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
I've been testing a recently acquired FED-2. 1/500 and 1/250 are running fast, which can be set right, but there's a quirk I've never seen before, nor heard of. The frame counter disc cannot be rotated by itself because it is attached to the film advance knob.
martin_t
Established
You will pick up a stop or so with many Russian cameras if
they've been CLA'd with modern lubricants. Some can be
corrected by bumping up the curtain tension, but not without
inducing a little fade, and the resulting increase in noise for
some users is unacceptable.
Per the counter disc, you should be able to turn it with the
shutter cocked.
martinsmith99
Established
How do the earlier collapsable lenses compare to the 26M?
climbing_vine
Well-known
I use a collapsable Industar 22 on mine exclusively. Have played with a 26M and a J-8, and they were fine but didn't have the character of the I-22. They were in that forgettable shadowland, for me, where they were more or less modern looking but without the quality of inexpensive modern lenses (so why bother).
pschauss
Well-known
I have never made a scientific comparison, but the Industar-22 collapsable lens is quite sharp. It is probably the most frequently used lens in my collection.
dee
Well-known
I use a Fed 50 mm f 3.5 Collapsible on my M8 and love it's ' Sparkle ' admittedly , it's the cleanest and best of my three - I just love the feel of this lens .
The standerd Industar does not mount properly on my Fed 2 .
The standerd Industar does not mount properly on my Fed 2 .
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
You're right about the counter disc, martin_t, but I'm still stuck. With much force and a damaged finger-nail, I got it to move: but after going through about a half circle it stopped and won't budge.
fanshaw
Well-known
The film counter is a very simple device-just a disk and a few washers. If you loosen the screw on the side of the knob you can unscrew the knob and clean the washers underneath. They must be gummed up if the counter doesn't work properly.
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
Thank you, Fanshaw. I don't want to do anything while the camera is loaded, so I'll do as you advise when the film is out.
martinsmith99
Established
Well, my lovely wife bought me one as a surprise. It's from a Russian seller and is listed as a type E. I've no idea if this is correct as searches have shown it to be a Type D7, E & F.
It does have the long base, but no strap lugs. I'll get some pics up when it arrives and see what you all think it may be.
It does have the long base, but no strap lugs. I'll get some pics up when it arrives and see what you all think it may be.
ully
ully
I take mine every 6 months or so. It does a nice job with a J12 on it and it is very portable.