It just feels right, the Fed 1...

[claidemore]

Just arrived yesterday, a really clean Fed 1 NKVD (type 3 engraving) from DVDtech via the baying auction house. Case shows signs of a hard life, but the camera itself has been well cared for and everything goes snickety-snack just like it should.

I suspected this would become my favorite rangefinder, (as suggested in another thread in this forum), but I was mistaken as to why it would become my favorite.

I knew it looked cool, and I knew it had historical significance, and of course it would be 'new to me'. What I didn't know was how the camera would 'feel'.

It just feels right! All the controls are in the right place, are the right size, and all work smoothly. The camera feels solid, balanced, smooth, no sharp corners or angles, and has just the right weight for it's size. The collapsible lens makes it perfectly compact and you just want to slip it into your pocket and go take pictures. No wonder the Barnack Leicas and clones were so popular! It's really hard to to put into words how this camera feels, you really have to hold one in your hands to appreciate it.

When I first became interested in Russian rangefinders, I was most drawn to the smooth ' modern' lines of the Fed 3, and really had no interest in the looks of the Fed 1 and Zorki's. That's all changed now! I'm thinking I'm going to have to get me a Fed 1 g for everyday use (I ride horses for a living and don't want to bang up this pre WW II Fed).

 

[reagan]

"I ride horses for a living and don't want to bang up this pre WW II Fed."

I suspect it be quite durable. But I surely understand your concern. Just a note to say I totally agree, though I don't own a FED. However, I've managed to secure 3 Zorki.1s and 2 Leica.IIIs, one yet to arrive from the Olegger. Compact, comfortable, simple, durable... good nuff for me. Enjoy the FED!

 

[pvdhaar]

It just feels right! All the controls are in the right place, are the right size, and all work smoothly. The camera feels solid, balanced, smooth, no sharp corners or angles, and has just the right weight for it's size..

Agree 100%. And not to be forgotten: the sound of the shutter. It's a very gentle 'clop'..

Shame about the lack of strap lugs though..

 

[Jocko]

It just feels right! All the controls are in the right place, are the right size, and all work smoothly. The camera feels solid, balanced, smooth, no sharp corners or angles, and has just the right weight for it's size. The collapsible lens makes it perfectly compact and you just want to slip it into your pocket and go take pictures. No wonder the Barnack Leicas and clones were so popular! It's really hard to to put into words how this camera feels, you really have to hold one in your hands to appreciate it.

Claidemore, you are so, so right - and they take as good as they feel!

All the best, Ian

 

[reagan]

"Shame about the lack of strap lugs though..."

I thought lack of lugs would bother me, but as it turns out, with the Zorkis and even the Leica that has lugs, when I want a strap, I put them in a half-case. So the lugs are not missed here.

 

[kmack]

I have always found it interesting that the Barnack style cameras are so comfortable and easy to use. Long before the days of "ergonomic" design they were able to get everything just about perfect just by designing for functionality.

 

[mac_wt]

I recently bought a Zorki 1 and was pleasantly surprised by the ergonomics. It is very usable, even if the viewfinder is absolutly tiny, compared to a Leica M. I tought it would mainly be an addition to the collection, but I allready passed several rolls of film trough it.

Wim

 

[claidemore]

Humphffff....don't I feel silly now!
When I made the original post in this thread, I considered putting in a comment about how easy it had been to load the first roll of film in the bottom loading Fed 1. Despite reading all the horror stories about how tricky/difficult/darn near impossible, it could be, it all seemed to just slip into place for me! Or so I thought.
Anyhoo...I did manage to get it right on the third attempt. Duh.

 

[reagan]

Anyhoo...I did manage to get it right on the third attempt. Duh.

A natural born bottom-feeder. . . welcome home.

 

[claidemore]

On the plus side, I did learn that you don't have to be all that fussy in how you trim the leader. I did it freehand on the third attempt, with some obvious irregularities in the recomended 22mm thickness and a guestimate at measuring the length. The scissors on my Leatherman tool should be all I ever need. (fingers crossed).

 

[PeterL]

Yes, cutting the leader is a piece of cake. So is loading, if you don't insist on comparing to an auto-whizz-bang system like my P&S. But back to the leader: I used to cut it in a straight angle instead of a nice bend (like the leader has before you use you scissors). My lab mentioned to me that it makes it much harder for them to get out the film. It seems better to cut it in a gentle curve like it is before the operation.

Anyway, more on topic: I agree with all the compliments bestowed upon the humble first FSU cameras (Zorki here). If designers of just about anything including cameras these days would look at functionality instead of ergo-horror-nomics, life would be a better place. Fortunately, not everybody seems to agree. Otherwise, all those nice old cameras would be way more expensive 🙂


Peter.

 

[claidemore]

Back in the day when I was into custom built knives, a wise bladesmith said, "form follows function". It's true for knives, cameras and just about everything else.