First FSU (FED 2) - Beginner's questions

[ludoo]

I just received my first FSU camera, a splendid CLAd FED 2 I bought from thames9 on ebay. The camera looks great and everything seems to work as it should. But now I have a couple of questions:

* how do I reset the frame counter? do I just turn the knob counter-clockwise? it does not seem to want to budge, and I would not want to break something because I'm ignorant 🙂

* the shutter release button with the film release collar are slightly wobbly, is it supposed to be so or should they be rock solid?

I have to say the FED 2 looks like a fine piece of machinery. The viewfinder is small and has a bluish tint but is crystal clear.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

The Fed 2 is one of the most popular fsu cameras around, I got mine from Fedka three years ago, and have had no problems, or regrets. Mainly coupled with a 'collapsible' 50mm, I find it very compact and 'pocketable', and of course it would not be too much of a hardship if damaged or stolen!. Sometimes I wish for a set of slow speeds - but given the type of work these cameras are usually used for, it's not often!. The viewfinder is a little on the dark side, but the r/f is about the most usefull in poor light, of any of my other cameras!. Looking at mine, the release and collar do have a little movement - in relation to the top plate, but unless it increases, I would not worry about it!, post some samples - it's a good aquisition! 🙂
Cheers, Dave.
P.S. the counter does have quite a lot of resistance!

 

[ludoo]

Thanks Dave!

I transferred a partially exposed roll of APX100 from my Taxona to the FED-2 so I can shoot a few test pics at lunchtime, and hopefully develop it tonight. I have to say I am really really liking this camera, it looks great and feels great in my large hands.

I asked the seller if he had any lenses as the auction was for the body only, and he threw in a mint panda I-61 for small change. I have also bought a (coated) FED collapsible 50/3.5, as you say the FED-2 and a collapsible lens should make a great pocketable camera, but it will take some time to get here from Moscow.

Yes, the wobble is minimal and only when the collar is in the shooting position, and as everything else looks mint and the shutter/transport are very quiet and the rf very clean, I think the seller did a great job with the CLA.

The counter does not want to budge, it only moves one click then stops. Not a big deal as usually it's hard to miss when the roll is finished.

Edit: mine is the Type D-1 from this page, #9898315 so I guess it was made in 1959.

Edit 2: I'm really dumb. This phrase from the owner's manual made me see the light: "The [counter scale] limb is coupled with the winding head by friction". I was trying to set the frame counter by rotating the winding knob counter-clockwise, instead of rotating just the counter scale. I'm lucky I did not apply too much force...

 

[payasam]

Oh, good. I don't need to tell you what not to do.

 

[ludoo]

A couple impressions after a few hours' use: I love handling the camera, but the viewfinder is really tiny and your eye needs to be glued to it in order to see what you are framing, and to focus with the rangefinder patch. I will definitely keep and use it, it's in lovely condition and I got it for pretty cheap, but I will also look for a large viewfinder FSU, probably the Zorky 4 (instead of a 4k as I quite like the winding knob on my FED).

 

[payasam]

I used my Leica IIIc and Zorki 1C, both with small finders, with accessory finders which gave a better view as well as focal lengths other than normal.

 

[ludoo]

I used my Leica IIIc and Zorki 1C, both with small finders, with accessory finders which gave a better view as well as focal lengths other than normal.

Well, that's a possibility even though it negates the benefit of having a combined vf/rf, and increases the bulk. I have a Helios vf and might fit it together with a J-12.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Glad you sorted out the problem the FED 2 is a great little camera but the VF is not the worst one made. You have to move over* to a M2 to get a bigger, brighter and better one.

Regards, David

* Help! I nearly typed "move up to a M2" I'd better take another pill...