Help me remove my doubts on FED's

[shadowfox]

Hi all, got some q's about the Fed.

I love how the Fed 2 look. Not the others, just Fed 2.

However there are some lingering doubts that I *know* you guys would be glad to help me remove.

1. Can a collapsible, vintage *Leica* lens be used in full functionality (meaning it works from infinity to the closest focus)?

2. Do I have to scissor-cut the film leaders to make a longer leader (a'la Leica III)?

3. Which body type to get? B or D or G? Why or why not?

4. Is there a Fed 2 that has a non-removable film take up spool? (Is it obvious that I *HATE* removable take up spools? 😀 )

5. Black painted Fed 2's, are they as cool as they look in pictures?

6. Blyatnikov ebay seller, anybody know if he's a good guy to buy from?

7. And finally, anybody have a black Fed 2 they want to pass on to me? 😀

Thanks all!

 

[wolves3012]

I can only answer some of your points:

1. Shouldn't be an issue, FED 2 has the "standard" lens-to-film distance AFAIK. Only lenses without full RF cams would be an issue in standard LTM.

2. No, the FED 2 has a removeable back so no Leica-leader required.

3. I don't think there's any advantage to any particular model, the differences were quite small. If you want to fit an auxilliary finder or shoe-mounted meter, the early ones had a slightly lower shoe, which can be a problem for some meters and finders. The KMZ turret finder fits ok though.

4. No, unless someone else knows better...if it bothers you that much, flatten the spool VERY VERY slightly so it's a tight fit and won't fall off.

5. No idea - they look nice but it'll obviously depend on the quality of the paint job.

6. I think others have used him and not had problems. I can't advise, not having used him. Do a search on here...

7. I haven't got one, can't help!

FED 2 is a nice camera, reliable and solidly made. The only downside to mine is that the VF is rather dark (even after a thorough clean). Useful on a sunny day, a serious handicap in poor light. I took it into a pub once, to use with flash and wished I'd taken something else! That said, it's fine down to the levels where you'd run out of slow enough speeds.

 

[brachal]

1) shouldn't be a problem
2) No. removable back.
3) very late models lack strap lugs.
4) I've seen pictures of late models with a fixed spool, but this may be a user modification. There used to be instructions on the web explaining how to replace a Fed2 drop-out spool with the fixed spool of a fed5.
5) I have one. It looks good, but the quality of the finish isn't factory good. AFAIK, all Fed 2's were chrome coming from the factory. The quality of a black finish will depend on the skill and dedication of the guy who did it.
6) don't know.
7) NO! 🙂

PS -- I've found the page about swapping out the spools. I miss that site -- I'm pretty sure it's gone now, but it was my favorite Fed site. If anybody is interested, send me a PM and I'll send a zip of the page (with pictures!) in an email.

 

[shadowfox]

Thanks guys!

Hmm from the way people talk about the Fed, I would think I'd get more than two endorsements for it 😀

 

[RML]

Just run through the threads about these FSU cameras. A lot has been said about them already. A lot has been explained too. Just get one. Feel it. Live it. Use it. And if it goes like it went with me, you'll love them. 🙂

 

[reagan]

6. Blyatnikov ebay seller, anybody know if he's a good guy to buy from?

It seems like dee has dealt with him several times. You might PM him for a rundown. ... edit: dee also has several black FSUs.

 

[shadowfox]

Just run through the threads about these FSU cameras. A lot has been said about them already. A lot has been explained too.

Sure, but I thought true fans will always take the chance to promote what they like about the Fed. And some of my questions are open-ended to encourage that. 😛

I may get it anyways because I got my answers for the most important thing for me, now the 40-days wait for shipping from Ukraine.

 

[robin a]

Buy one,then hang on,they breed.Oh,and they're fun to use and take great pictures.........Robin