Ideas for first FSU RF ?

[holgaguy]

Hi i'm new here and also new to RF photography. I'm thinking of getting into them and I like the idea and prices of the FSU cameras. Any ideas as to which one I should go with ?
Thanks
Holgaguy😕

 

[BillBingham2]

Darn good question. While I loved my Fed-2 (I had the film spool upgraded to one from a Fed-5) and my Keiv 4A, I did not have to time to tinker with them. I spent a bit of money and time sending both back over across the pond for CLA and they still did not come back in the shape I had hoped or needed. If you like to tinker with cameras either way is fine. None of the other FSU camera really got me excited.

Be ready to hit your head up against the wall, but when they work the Fed-2 and Keiv 4A are wonderful cameras.

B2 (;->

 

[dazedgonebye]

I love my fed-2.
Do yourself a favor and buy from someone like Fedka. You'll pay more than an evilbay "bargain," but your odds of getting a good camera are far greater.

 

[fidget]

From your RF name, I guess that you are a Holga user?

An FSU RF camera is going to be right up your street 😉

For the ultimate in will it/won't it work, with a liberal spread of light leaks and crazy frame spacing/overlaps, may I recommend a Kiev. 🙄



(Sorry, I just couldn't resist...)

 

[nrb]

I like Fed 2 best from all the fsu cameras I own. Second comes Zorki 4, third Fed 3, then Fed 5. Optics for Kiev may be somewhat better but the Contax-Nikon coupler meant a bunch of problems to me.

 

[MartinP]

I agree with Sitemistic and NRB. The way ahead is a late FED-2 - late because that will have the user-friendly wide film-wind, "modern" shutter speed progression, convenient height for the accessory-shoe etc etc. The Industar standard lenses are not bad either.

 

[Superbus_]

No doubt, you need a Zorki 4 with jupiter 8 lens. Unbeatable! This one is my favourite... Later you can get a yashica eletro but its another thing. 🙂

 

[holgaguy]

From your RF name, I guess that you are a Holga user?

An FSU RF camera is going to be right up your street 😉

Yes I'm now using a Holga but not because I'm so much into the "Toy" camera thing. But I really like Medium Format photography. I am using a Holga because it's the cheapest way to get into med format. But other that the street lomo thing using a camera with a lens you don't really know how good the focus is, well it's not my idea of a perfect camera. I would like to be able to get a good quality Med format system at some point, but for now I want to try RF. If I look for a FED 2 as sudjested how will I know if it's one of the later models.
Thanks
holgaguy

 

[oftheherd]

If you get a good FSU, I think you will be happy. For a MF camera that doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, look into the many folders out there. You can learn more from the MF folder areas here at RF. Good luck in your decision.

 

[giovatony]

I wouldn`t be too concerned about which FSU you get, as long as it functions properly. I say this because most first time users will go on to another one and the chances are very good that you will too.
Because they are so inexpensive , practical , and work so well it is very difficult not to want another one and maybe even another one after that.
It`s a learning process in many ways too. Learning the many FSU models and their idiosyncrasies is an enjoyable experience that leads to wanting more of them.
I`m not exaggerating.
John

 

[40oz]

A Kiev offers at least a full range of shutter speeds from slow to fast, long base rangefinder, lenses are pretty much universally respected and rarely the problem, and Fedka's prices are very reasonable especially considering they stand behind their product. You can spend less on ebay and get one that leaks, has bad frame spacing, peeling covering, and full of gunk for less, but why bother? It'd be like buying a rusty '89 Ferrari - there is really no logical reason for it.

There are other options than a Kiev, of course, as well as other retailers. Just don't buy the cheapest auction camera thinking it's a deal or something. You get what you pay for. If you do buy an auction camera, get one with the original case and lens caps. And the box and papers would be a nice touch. Someone who kept all those things as a group probably isn't dumping a POS they got as a discard. Don't bother with the ones that look rough, you want one that looks used at the most.

 

[fidget]

Have you read the informative guide at the top of this forum section?

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43469

This will help.

 

[wolves3012]

I wouldn`t be too concerned about which FSU you get, as long as it functions properly. I say this because most first time users will go on to another one and the chances are very good that you will too.
Because they are so inexpensive , practical , and work so well it is very difficult not to want another one and maybe even another one after that.
It`s a learning process in many ways too. Learning the many FSU models and their idiosyncrasies is an enjoyable experience that leads to wanting more of them.
I`m not exaggerating.
John

Pretty much sums it up!

Read the guide in this sub-forum and ask about anything that's not clear. Good starters are a FED 3 or Zorki 4 for low-cost and features. A FED 2 is one of the favourites too and won't break the bank.

 

[januaryman]

The Fed 2s are the starter's best bet, in my mind. I have a Kiev 4AM I like, but you need to be forgiving. A bit too much pressure in winding and (as just happened to me) the film detaches from the canister and is wrapped around your takeup reel. I better learn how to count frames or check the counter more often... (d'oh!)

 

[giovatony]

The Fed 2s are the starter's best bet, in my mind. I have a Kiev 4AM I like, but you need to be forgiving. A bit too much pressure in winding and (as just happened to me) the film detaches from the canister and is wrapped around your takeup reel. I better learn how to count frames or check the counter more often... (d'oh!)

Yeah Jim, I can see that happening and probably more often with an unserviced or worn camera .
Fortunately both my Kievs have been serviced and wind very easily with no abnormal resistance that is often caused from old solidified grease and dirt , consequently I can always and easily feel the difference when the roll ends. I am always aware of the film count yet I still try to get 26 frames from a roll of 24.
I also wind in two separate motions / steps. It didn`t take long for me to develop a feel for the Kiev nuances or for that matter any of my cameras. I like to think I`m in synch with them.
John

 

[januaryman]

Well, it was only my 2nd roll with this camera, so maybe I'll do better. How's the frame spacing on yours, John? Normal or wacky? And.. where did you get them serviced? Can I afford it?

 

[Joe Vitessa]

Fed 2's are nice equipment, but the bottom loading might be a little daunting for a RF newbie. May I suggest a Zorki 6? It opens like a "modern" camera and the viewfinder is the best of any Russian RF. Just my two cents...

Of course, if you just want to experiment with RF photography and don't care about changing lenses, then definitely get a fixed lens RF, like a Yashica or a Olympus RC. They cost the same--or cheaper--than a Russian RF and will work far better.

Joe

 

[giovatony]

Well, it was only my 2nd roll with this camera, so maybe I'll do better. How's the frame spacing on yours, John? Normal or wacky? And.. where did you get them serviced? Can I afford it?

Neither one of mine display any frame spacing problems but I did have a loose winding fork that almost fell off on me.
I understand this can contribute to erratic frame spacing too. The square washer(?) above the fork has to be seated properly)
Fedka had mine serviced and the other one from Alex was supposedly CLA`d .
He has a price list for servicing and I think it is $70-80 for a Kiev.
John

 

[giovatony]

Fed 2's are nice equipment, but the bottom loading might be a little daunting for a RF newbie. May I suggest a Zorki 6? It opens like a "modern" camera and the viewfinder is the best of any Russian RF. Just my two cents...

Of course, if you just want to experiment with RF photography and don't care about changing lenses, then definitely get a fixed lens RF, like a Yashica or a Olympus RC. They cost the same--or cheaper--than a Russian RF and will work far better.

Joe

The Fed 2 I owned had an open back , and not a bottom loader.

I have many fixed lens RF and some are very good but they simply do not convey that unique FSU camera user experience anything like an FSU camera does. You just can`t go half way. You need to experience it to the fullest.
John

 

[FallisPhoto]

Hi i'm new here and also new to RF photography. I'm thinking of getting into them and I like the idea and prices of the FSU cameras. Any ideas as to which one I should go with ?
Thanks
Holgaguy😕

FED 2, FED 3, Zorki 2, or if you like to tinker, a Moskva 2 or Moskva 5 with a diagonally tracking rangefinder (you'll spend several blissful days getting that sorted out).