Looking to get into Russian Rangefinders...

[PatrickT]

Hey there,

I just got my first rangefinder (Yashica GSN) and am already loving it. But (being a fully manual slr user at first) I really feel that I want something with interchangeable lenses and something that is fully manual. So, I started looking into some Canon P's which really sparked my interest but then found out how much they go for (which is above my limit). But, after talking to my Dad, he suggested that I look into getting a russian rangefinder and after a little bit of reasearch, this seems like a great idea (that also wont break the bank!). So, I have a few questions if you dont mind...

1. I am looking into a FED-2 and have heard that the d and the e models are the ones to get...Is this true? I think I would prefer the black over the green or blue or the other colors as I might choose to paint the whole camera black at a latter time..

2. I have also done a little bit of research on lenses and have figured out that what I think I want is a Jupiter-8 and a Jupiter-9. Now, I know that people use Jupiter-8s on FED-2's all the time, but what about the J-9 and it's 85mm focal length? How do you make the 85mm work as opposed to the 50mm? Are there any other lenses that you might suggest over the Jupiters?

3. And, I know a lot of this is personal prefference, but is there another inexpensive M39 camera that you would recomend over the FED-2?

Thanks so much!!

Patrick

 

[Gordon Coale]

Crazy? Why would you do that? 🙂

 

[PatrickT]

Wow! That looks REALLY good! Is that a J9 you have on there in the 3rd or 4th picture? Do you use an aux finder?

 

[Gordon Coale]

Patrick,

From left to right it's: Industar-50 (50/3.5 -- a great collapsible lens that will let you carry your FED in your pocket), Jupiter 8 (50/2), Jupiter 12 (35/2.8), and the Jupiter 9 (85/2).

The Jupiter 9 looks great on a Leica, too.

 

[Gordon Coale]

Oh, yeah, the finder. I forgot to put it on for the Camera and Coffee pictures. The Leica picture has it on. I use a Universal Finder. It covers the 35mm and 85mm. I sometimes use it with the J8 in low light.

 

[PatrickT]

Great! Thanks for the info. Being a newbie, what do you do about paralax correction? The only rangefinder I've really used is the GSn and it has paralaz correction. Do you just have to think about how close you are the the subject and adjust yourself?

Sorry for all the questions 🙂

 

[Gordon Coale]

I generally don't shoot close with a 35mm camera so it's not a problem for me. If I do, I just adjust a little. The Universal finder has some adjustment for parallax. If framing is critical closeup then a rangefinder is not the right tool. With a wide angle lens I sometimes don't even use a viewfinder -- just point it in the right direction. It's really liberating to shoot like that.

 

[PatrickT]

Yeah, that makes sense. I would mainly be doing some street shooting and I was hoping to do some portraits and stuff with the J-9 if I got it. I suppose theres no advantage using a rangefinder for portraits over my slr with an 85mm..

 

[rbiemer]

Patrick,
Welcome aboard! You may find out that "you can't shoot just one!"
I don't know that any of the FSU cameras have parralax correction(the Kiev 5 maybe?). Certainly none of mine do. The Turret finder has a fairly primitive correction.
A FED 2 is a good camera. I use one and it works very well.
My personal favorite is the Zorki 3m. It's not a better machine, I just think it looks better!
Any questions you have, most of us here will be happy to answer. And some times I even know what I'm talking about 🙂
Rob

 

[Roman]

Patrick,
doing portraits at close distances with the J-9 on a Russian RF and with the turret finder is really difficult - parallax is a serious issue with that focal length, and the parallax pseudo-compensation on the turret finder is a very bad joke... This is the one single reason that made me finally get a Bessa R.
BTW, using the J-12 with the turret finder is no problem at all.

Roman

 

[tedwhite]

Have you taken a look at a Kiev 4A? Contax copy, very Russian, and a wide base for the rangefinder. I have a FED 2, for which I paid something like $20 and change and it works OK.
I have a Kiev 4AM coming. Last winter I borrowed a Kiev 4A and liked it a lot.

Then there's the Zorki, about which I know nothing.

Ted

 

[wlewisiii]

The 85mm focal length does need a good finder. It can be difficult to frame effectivly without a good finder. While I haven't used the turret finder, I have used a canon 100mm finder with my Kiev 4a and I have a Kiev 5. As Rob points out, the Kiev 5 does do parallax correction and in late enough examples (such as the 1972 one that I have) has bright lines for the 85mm focal length. This camera is extremely pleasant to use with the Jupiter 9. I can not speak highly enough of the combination for portraits; I only wish my skills were up to what the pair is capable of.

William