Knob wind Fed 3?

tunalegs

tunalegs

Pretended Artist
Local time
8:51 AM
Joined
Sep 2, 2011
Messages
2,619
Since my Zorki 4 was stolen I decided to look for a new rangefinder, I decided I may as well mix it up a bit and snagged a knob wind Fed 3 off of ebay.

I am wondering if anybody has experience with this model as it does not seem to be as common (or as popular?) as either the earlier 1 and 2, or the later cheaper 5 models.

I bought it primarily because it looks smaller than the later Feds and it looks a bit more ergonomic than the Zorki 4 I had (there being space around the wind knob for human fingers).

Does anybody here shoot with one of these?
 
Don't know exactly how rare it is, because I saw a lot of them for sale on eBay the other day. But it was a transitional model, before they switched to the lever winding 3B, so the production numbers may be lower. Like the Zarya, it may not have been popular.

PF
 
I have two Fed 3A. There are two versions of the 3A, the only difference is the script. The early version is in Cyrillic, the second is in both Cyrillic and Latin. The 3A has a removable film spool like the Fed 2, the 3B does not. It is a nice camera and has a lot of character but I prefer the view finder and dioptic adjustment of the Zorki 4 over the FED. I have since added a Zorki 3M which has even more character and style than the Fed and it has that great Zorki view finder. The only negative is that they are less common and cost more that the Fed 3A
 
Do you prefer the Fed 3's wind knob over the Zorki 4's?

The Zorki's VF is hard to beat, but the wind knob is just silly on that thing.
 
Inever had a problem with the Zorki wind knob so when I use the Fed I am not actually aware of the difference however the Fed does have more clearance and I don't have to wind it with my finger tips like I do with the Zorki.
 
OK, I have a FED-3 (50 years October revolution 1917-1967) a FED-5b, a Zorki-4K and underway from Odessa a Zorki-6. If you do not like the advance knob of the Zorki-4 why not a 4K?
The VF of the Zorki's are pretty good but the Fed-3 VF is better then the (almost new) FED-5b VF.
But for the W.A. Lenses I also have an external zoom VF 15mm-35mm from C.V. which I am also using on my Leica M7.
The FED-5b is a bit bulky. So I like the FED-3 better. Maybe the Zorki-6 is the best Zorki due to the wider RF base but as said I am still waiting for it. Hopefully the Russians have not intercepted the package .... :)

Greetz,

Robert
 
Fotohuis said:
OK, I have a FED-3 (50 years October revolution 1917-1967) a FED-5b, a Zorki-4K and underway from Odessa a Zorki-6. If you do not like the advance knob of the Zorki-4 why not a 4K?
The VF of the Zorki's are pretty good but the Fed-3 VF is better then the (almost new) FED-5b VF.
But for the W.A. Lenses I also have an external zoom VF 15mm-35mm from C.V. which I am also using on my Leica M7.
The FED-5b is a bit bulky. So I like the FED-3 better. Maybe the Zorki-6 is the best Zorki due to the wider RF base but as said I am still waiting for it. Hopefully the Russians have not intercepted the package .... :)

Greetz,

Robert
Click to expand...

The 4k doesn't have strap lugs which is a deal breaker for me. :(
 
tunalegs said:
Since my Zorki 4 was stolen I decided to look for a new rangefinder, I decided I may as well mix it up a bit and snagged a knob wind Fed 3 off of ebay.

I am wondering if anybody has experience with this model as it does not seem to be as common (or as popular?) as either the earlier 1 and 2, or the later cheaper 5 models.

I bought it primarily because it looks smaller than the later Feds and it looks a bit more ergonomic than the Zorki 4 I had (there being space around the wind knob for human fingers).

Does anybody here shoot with one of these?
Click to expand...

There is also a knob wind Fed-4 which is more uncommon and ideal for those who like something big and heavy to grip.
 
I used to have a fed 4, but no interest in them now. A little too big/awkward to hold and no strap lugs. Not really interested in the meter either.

I suppose I'll wait for the 3 to arrive and see how it goes then.
 
There are models of Zorki 4 with strap lugs. The patch could be green, yellow and blue. But the Zorki 6 is the most easy to focus. And the dioptric correction is better. I use mine without my glasses and do not have focus problems. Fed is more brick like. A clear patch yet not so bright. If you have problem with the range finder it is more difficult to fix than Zorki.
 
A Zorki-6 is underway to me from Odessa. It seems to be one of the best RF FSU camera's. I will see. My best RF so far is my M7 Leica RF although I am using mostly WA lenses, it is a 0,58 version. The 28mm Elmarit is still usable although my C. V. zoom VF 15mm-35mm is better. I have already 15mm, 21mm and 28mm -M bayonet lenses but also for my u4/3 17mm and Jupiter-12 35mm this view finder is really super!
 
I would be interested in hearing how the Zorki 6 compares to the 4/4k. I seems to have a pretty good reputation amongst FSU camera users.
 
I just have done a test between all FSU camera's and most popular 50mm lenses in the Dutch analogue forum. This test is done with ATP1,1 micro film and the new Rollei RPX-25 conventional B&W film.
 
Fotohuis said:
I just have done a test between all FSU camera's and most popular 50mm lenses in the Dutch analogue forum. This test is done with ATP1,1 micro film and the new Rollei RPX-25 conventional B&W film.
Click to expand...

I looked for but was unable to find this thread there.
 
I would be interested in hearing how the Zorki 6 compares to the 4/4k. I seems to have a pretty good reputation amongst FSU camera users.
Click to expand...

I have a Z-6 and a Z-4. For me, the Zorki-6 wins hands down in ergonomics and general design, although the viewfinder image is larger in the -4.

FWIW my favorite Russkies are the Fed-3B and Zorki-6. In screwmount, that is.
 
Zorki 4 or Z4 is bigger, have more versions, stronger, is more easy to repair, have more speed stops, produce more noise, large view finder window, RF patch is not intrusive. The frame on the film can be very nice - with rounded edges / I compare it to my minolta, olympys frame on the film which are 90 degrees sharp
. Zorki 6 and 5 or Z6/Z5 is smaller a bit, slimmer a bit. Almost no shutter noise in use thou the film loading crank could be noisy . Clear RF patch , easy wind and rewind of film, possible multi exposure . Well the minus is in the wind lever - on some Z6 you have the filling that it will broke any second. But they do not :) .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom