Just received my Fed-2e type 1

R

rl1856

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My first FSU camera. Purchased for a total of $45 including shipping from a US seller. Lens is a 52mm/2.8 (Industar 61 ?).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7501545924

I received it yesterday and have not yet run a roll of film through it. So far, I am impressed with the heft and feel of the camera. Dioptor, rangefinder and viewfinder seem to work well. The lens feels smooth, but "tight". Shutter speeds seem accrurate.

I have handled a Leica IIIg and there is no comparison between the 2, with the Leica haveing a silky smooth feel and giving a bank vault like sense of solidity. However, when you consider that a IIIg with a good lens would be roughly 15x the cost of the Fed, the Fed looks very attractive indeed.

More to come after I have shot a roll or 2.

Anyone know of an online manual for a Fed-2e ?

Thanks,

Ross
 
Ross, the FED 2, type e is an excellent entry when testing the waters of Soviet range finders. It's basic, but competent at the same time. The lines are traditional and the RF base is pretty darn wide for $45 rangefinder. If you get a chance, try out a collapsible Industar 22 with this camera. The infinity release will scratch the vulcanite if you aren't careful, but oh what a package do the two make. Steven Gandy sells a lens hood, lens cap combo for the I-22 for about $35.
 
FED Manual

FED Manual

I'm not positive.....but I don't think that's the E model. The E model was the precursor of the FED 3 and had a different body. I think you've probably got a D model, which is what I have.

I have a copy of an english translation manual I'd be happy to share. It is a 2.6 MB PDF file. Email me and I'll fwd it tp you.

onabreak@earthlink.net
 
I think there is some confusion in regards to what is a type d and what is a type e.

Princelle calls the above version, 1960 in my case, a type d.

Jim Blazik's web site refers to the same model as a type e.
 
Variants in the Fed-2 are often debated because the Soviets made incremental changes throughout the life of the camera. I have seen both the Princelle "d" and Blazik "e", and there is a model in between that has some of the characteristics of each. To make matters even more interesting, most of the components are interchangeable. Some e-Bay vendors will mix and match parts from among several cameras in order to be to offer either a functional camera or to try and get a better price for a 'rare" model.

I think the only way to make a definitive determination of where the model/varient lines should be drawn is to first acquire one of each.

-Paul
 
Andrew:

I'm going to assume either you painted it black or had someone else do it. It looks like a very good job and gives the camera quite a different look, espcially as the logo stands out so well.

Could you provide some details of how it was done? Of course, if it came that way, shut my mouth. I'm curious as I've got a FED-2 coming from Alex.

Ted
 
Ted, I painted it with Derusto Heat Master Enamel and baked in a toaster oven at 300 degrees. It looks nice, but it's fragile. I didn't sand blast and primer the metal like Blazik recommends.

For the lettering, an arts and crafts store sells these fine tip paint pens. They work well with a light touch.

I'll say this it is a project and a half. I would recommend using an air brush with automotive paint, which is what I believe Blazik used.
 
Come to think of it, the local motorcycle guys do a kick butt paint job. So it may be possible to turf out the painting.
 
Thanks, Andrew. Maybe automotive lacquer would be better? According to my Mexican friend who does low riders, you must prepare surface and prime coat first. The advantage of AL, as I understand it is that you can mist on a few coats (it dries quite fast), rub them out , then repeat, until you get what you want.

Maybe I'll try it when I get the FED-2. However, if it's in prime shape I'm inclined to leave it be.

But I do so love those black cameras.



Ted
 
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