How to replace shutter curtain on Fed 5

[lotech]

I've got couple Soviet RF, Fed 2, 5, Zorki 4K, Leningrad spring-powered auto winder. I specially like the Fed 2 it's classy, but unfortunately my copy has curtain leak, the photos it took were fogged. Then later I bought the Fed 5, it's 'modern' with a working meter, but the curtain broke and jam after I 'dry run' it to play around with. I found the curtain is not like the Fed 2, the Fed 5 one has rubber coating I believe like the Pentax Spotmatic that I don't have, people said it is very reliable, and I am certain it will not leak. Since the camera is still very good condition, I wonder if it is easy to replace the curtain ? and is there anyone has practical experience replacing/fixing the curtain on Soviet vintage RF ?

 

[santino]

I think your curtains are ok but one ribbon probably „unglued“ itself. If you are able able to get to the shutter, it is probably just a matter of attaching the ribbon to the rollers/drum. No need for new shutter material.

 

[WoodallP]

I think your curtains are ok but one ribbon probably „unglued“ itself. If you are able able to get to the shutter, it is probably just a matter of attaching the ribbon to the rollers/drum. No need for new shutter material.

I agree on this, the bottom ribbon has either come unstuck or broken (a third possibility is that it has somehow become unhooked from the lath but that is unlikely). If it's broken a new ribbon will be needed but otherwise it's just gluing. With a bit of luck and care it may not even be needed to de-tension the rollers.

 

[lotech]

Thanks for the tip that's comforting ! I have some experience fixing Soviet RF like adjusting the RF and cleaning, especially the Fed they are simple in design, much simpler than the Keiv, so I will give it a try to fix the ribbon, what kind of glue to use, the type for leather ?

 

[WoodallP]

A liquid neoprene contact adhesive should do the job. Brands vary by country but it mostly similar stuff. This should be the ribbon attatched below the main drum.

Probably you can curl a thin strip of paper and feed it behind the drum and then use it to drag the ribbon into place. You will need to half cock the camera such that you can see both laths then pull the ribbon such that the two laths are parallel and overlapping. Be precise!

Of course, all of this assumes that the other first-curtain ribbon is soundly attatched.

 

[lotech]

That's a bit of challenge I've never done that before, I hope I will not carelessly unhook some springs and things fly out !

 

[johnf04]

Thanks for the tip that's comforting ! I have some experience fixing Soviet RF like adjusting the RF and cleaning, especially the Fed they are simple in design, much simpler than the Keiv, so I will give it a try to fix the ribbon, what kind of glue to use, the type for leather ?

Download a copy of Maizenberg's camera repair book
It covers the earlier Fed models, and will still be useful for the Fed 5. I'm in the middle of regluing the shutter tapes on a Fed 3, and I have to say I would rather work on a Kiev...

 

[lotech]

Download a copy of Maizenberg's camera repair book
It covers the earlier Fed models, and will still be useful for the Fed 5. I'm in the middle of regluing the shutter tapes on a Fed 3, and I have to say I would rather work on a Kiev...

The shutter of the two are very different in design, but I've no experience repairing them so can't say. I only replaced a broken glass window on the Kiev and saw the inside.

 

[johnf04]

The shutter of the two are very different in design, but I've no experience repairing them so can't say. I only replaced a broken glass window on the Kiev and saw the inside.

The Kiev's modular construction makes it straightforward to take the shutter out.

 

[lotech]

The Kiev's modular construction makes it straightforward to take the shutter out.

OIC, I had a full set of Kiev 4 with few lenses and add-on multi viewer long time ago, but did not like it due to the ergonomic, especially the small focussing wheel that hurts my finger, so I turned to the Fed. I like the Fed 2 most, and the curtain still works today, but it leaks that's pity, it's a very nice camera with excellent RF, much better than the Aires.

 

[WoodallP]

OIC, I had a full set of Kiev 4 with few lenses and add-on multi viewer long time ago, but did not like it due to the ergonomic, especially the small focussing wheel that hurts my finger, so I turned to the Fed. I like the Fed 2 most, and the curtain still works today, but it leaks that's pity, it's a very nice camera with excellent RF, much better than the Aires.

I just took a look at a FED 4 which is probably similar (anyone correct me if I'm wrong). I have never taken one apart but it looks like you will need to remove some parts of the Self Timer and then the front cover. There appears to be a lower baffle which will have to be removed; this will probably give you the access you need but I'm not sure about the slow speed escapement. Look at a few web sites before you decide on whether to tackle it. I have done similar ribbon jobs without a full disassembly but only on basic Leica and clones (Zorki, Nicca) and the casing is different as there is a single piece body shell.

 

[lotech]

Thanks, that worries me a bit. I had only opened up the top to fix and clean the RF on the Fed 2 and Zorki 4 have not gone any further, and due to this trouble I tended to metal shutter on other purchases at least they don't leak.

 

[lotech]

The Kiev's modular construction makes it straightforward to take the shutter out.

That means on the Fed there's no such thing of replacing the shutter assembly even if I can find a good one, there are bits and pieces fixed to the body I can not completely remove the whole thing in one go, right ?

 

[johnf04]

That means on the Fed there's no such thing of replacing the shutter assembly even if I can find a good one, there are bits and pieces fixed to the body I can not completely remove the whole thing in one go, right ?

Right. The lower part of the shutter comes out with the shutter casting. The upper part, which protrudes through the camera body top plate, has to be removed.

The camera body, with the shutter frame removed


The shutter frame.

 

[johnf04]

I made a tool to hold the shutter shafts in position - the brass piece on top, originally for use on Zenit cameras. The bent paper clip on the top left holds the takeup drums together in the shutter cocked position. This allows the curtain tapes to be positioned for gluing. I use contact adhesive (called Ados f2 here in New Zealand).

 

[lotech]

View attachment 4881737

I made a tool to hold the shutter shafts in position - the brass piece on top, originally for use on Zenit cameras. The bent paper clip on the top left holds the takeup drums together in the shutter cocked position. This allows the curtain tapes to be positioned for gluing. I use contact adhesive (called Ados f2 here in New Zealand).

Thanks, is that the hanging narrow piece to glue back or replace ?

 

[johnf04]

Thanks, is that the hanging narrow piece to glue back or replace ?

The narrow pieces at the right front roller are the shutter tapes which have come unglued. I have reglued them (this photo shows them still unglued). On some shutters, though, the tapes have broken. Then they will need replaced. I bought a suitable tape from Aki Asahi.

 

[lotech]

The narrow pieces at the right front roller are the shutter tapes which have come unglued. I have reglued them (this photo shows them still unglued). On some shutters, though, the tapes have broken. Then they will need replaced. I bought a suitable tape from Aki Asahi.

Thanks a lot !