Hello, and, question about Fed 5C

[russianRF]

Howdy. I've been lurking here a couple of weeks, and thought I should join, if only to ask a couple of questions as RF topics come up.

A little bit about me and RFs: I love B&W film in general (I shoot digital for color). I have Canon equipment for both SLR/DSLR, and always used to think Leicas were out of my price range (I still think that). When I found Kiev USA online, I was elated -- I love a good bargain, but am willing to pay more to ensure I'm not gambling with my money.

I purchased a Fed 5C, and really like the camera. I especially like using the camera for "street" photography, or other photography that requires something more discrete than an SLR. There's also something neat about not relying on any kind of electrical current, battery, etc. The rangefinding took some getting used to, mostly trying to find a straight line to focus off of in my shots. My only real complaint is the X-Sync (1/30th sec!), though from what I have read here my Industar (?) 61 lens isn't the best for portraits. . .

Which brings me to my first question, which I asked Kiev USA and never got a satisfactory response on: can I use a different lens and still use the coupled rangefinder? I am under the impression that the coupled rangefinder mechanism is set for about 50mm or so, the standard prime length. Would a more telephoto prime lens, designed for this camera system, compensate over how it reports back to the coupling mechanism? I see those "add on" viewfinders on the Kiev USA site, and can't imagine how those would couple to the lens. So am I stuck with the 55mm lens? If not, which lenses are available?

Moving on, I was surprised with how sharp the Fed 5C is; it's easily comparable to my film SLRs, and it's so much smaller and simpler! Plus, this isn't even a famed Leica . . .

Which brings me to my second question. I know Leicas are famous for all their dampening technology, etc. Are they really that much better than Feds? I understand that the cost of a camera is an intimate decision, and that only I can ultimately decide if a Leica is "worth it" artistically for me. But obviously the Russian RFs have a following. Do the Russian RFs fall somewhere between Leica and Holga for you all, like they do for me?

I'm sure some (or all) of these questions have been answered here before; if someone has a link to a past post off-hand, I'd much appreciate it. 🙂

Thanks,
Brian

 

[xayraa33]

you can use any lens from 19mm to 135mm on your Fed 5 c as long as the focus cam on the lens is not the tongue type and it will couple with the RF.
I used the Canon 25mm lens on my Fed 5c with no problems.

the add on vf never couple to the lens, they just give you a field of view to the lens you are using.

the M Leicas only sync at 1/50th of a sec.

a Leica is on a different quality level when compared to the Fed 5c. I use both, and enjoy using the Fed 5c but it is no Leica.

 

[breathstealer]

Howdy. I've been lurking here a couple of weeks, and thought I should join, if only to ask a couple of questions as RF topics come up.

A little bit about me and RFs: I love B&W film in general (I shoot digital for color). I have Canon equipment for both SLR/DSLR, and always used to think Leicas were out of my price range (I still think that). When I found Kiev USA online, I was elated -- I love a good bargain, but am willing to pay more to ensure I'm not gambling with my money.

I purchased a Fed 5C, and really like the camera. I especially like using the camera for "street" photography, or other photography that requires something more discrete than an SLR. There's also something neat about not relying on any kind of electrical current, battery, etc. The rangefinding took some getting used to, mostly trying to find a straight line to focus off of in my shots. My only real complaint is the X-Sync (1/30th sec!), though from what I have read here my Industar (?) 61 lens isn't the best for portraits. . .

Which brings me to my first question, which I asked Kiev USA and never got a satisfactory response on: can I use a different lens and still use the coupled rangefinder? I am under the impression that the coupled rangefinder mechanism is set for about 50mm or so, the standard prime length. Would a more telephoto prime lens, designed for this camera system, compensate over how it reports back to the coupling mechanism? I see those "add on" viewfinders on the Kiev USA site, and can't imagine how those would couple to the lens. So am I stuck with the 55mm lens? If not, which lenses are available?

Moving on, I was surprised with how sharp the Fed 5C is; it's easily comparable to my film SLRs, and it's so much smaller and simpler! Plus, this isn't even a famed Leica . . .

Which brings me to my second question. I know Leicas are famous for all their dampening technology, etc. Are they really that much better than Feds? I understand that the cost of a camera is an intimate decision, and that only I can ultimately decide if a Leica is "worth it" artistically for me. But obviously the Russian RFs have a following. Do the Russian RFs fall somewhere between Leica and Holga for you all, like they do for me?

I'm sure some (or all) of these questions have been answered here before; if someone has a link to a past post off-hand, I'd much appreciate it. 🙂

Thanks,
Brian

1) All Leica thread mount lenses that normally couple to rangefinders (that'd be other Russian lenses, Leica, Canon, Nikon, Voigtlander...the list goes on) will couple to the rangefinder, with a few exceptions I'm not too clear on. You'll have to use your camera's rangefinder to focus and then the auxilliary finder to frame though.

2) Leicas differ from your Fed in two ways: features, and build quality. If you need the extra features (more framelines, metering, etc) then there's no question that you should start saving up. If you don't need anything more than you've got now for taking pictures, then it's just a question of whether you feel like your Fed is reliable enough, or whether it feels nice in your hands.

 

[russianRF]

2) Leicas differ from your Fed in two ways: features, and build quality. If you need the extra features (more framelines, metering, etc) then there's no question that you should start saving up. If you don't need anything more than you've got now for taking pictures, then it's just a question of whether you feel like your Fed is reliable enough, or whether it feels nice in your hands.

If I were mad for features, I'd be shooting a DSLR. 😉 I really like the chunky, clunky, downright UNKY feel of the Fed 5C. I also haven't found too many problems with it at all, probably because I got it from Kiev USA (for a premium).

Thanks to everyone for explaining the viewfinder vs. rangefinder distinction to me. I understand now . . . the built-in mechanism is always used for focusing, but the built-in viewfinder can only give the 50mm focal length's coverage.

BTW, does anyone else prefer Kiev USA? Do people find them too expensive?

 

[xayraa33]

BTW, does anyone else prefer Kiev USA? Do people find them too expensive?[/QUOTE]

you can get some nice deals here on our classifieds for lenses for your Fed 5c.

the LTM 35mm J 12 lens is a good combo for the Fed 5c and so is a well shimmed 50mm J 3 for speed and softer out of focus areas, esp. nice in portraits.

 

[brachal]

Brian,
Welcome to the madhouse. I started out with a Fed 5 a few years ago, and I've never looked back. I haven't bought from Kiev USA, but I can recommend fedka.com. I've never had an item from Yuri that didn't work, or that he wouldn't take back or repair.

The Industar 61 isn't usually thought of as a portrait lens, but it's a great lens for most things. The 85mm Jupiter-9 is super for portraits, but finding a good one can be a challenge. 50mm Jupiter-8 is easy to come by, and would give you more stops than your industar, as well as different image characteristics. The Soviet turret-finder is (IMHO) one of the best photo products the USSR made. Dig around on the forum, and you'll find lots of information.

Edit: just checked out Kiev USA. Their prices are very high, although they seem to have some very uncommon lenses. Very high prices, though.

 

[Spider67]

Welcome Brian abd say good bye to your inner resolve that one FSU Rf is enough!
Regarding Leica....In general they are worth their money! Problem is that "their money" widely varies. In Germany for example the prices are really steep whereas in the US they seem to be rather reasonable (We are talking about used equipment here!)
I am sure that ou can handle a Leica in some shop just try it relaesae the sutter and you will se for yourself.
Best regards!
Des

 

[john341]

I bought a 5C a few years ago and have used it on an off. The lens is sharp and the viewfinder is nice and bright. The rangefinder spot looks a bit dodgy, but works fine for me. I like it.