More FED problems. *sigh*

[captainslack]

After fixing the shutter dial on my FED 2d, it seems I have a shutter problem now.

Take a gander at the two attached files and you'll see what I'm talking about. On just about every pic on the last roll I took, most of which were shot at 250 @ f/8, it seemed the exposure changed from left to right going across the frame. Seems to me that my shutter is lagging a bit. Am I right here or is it something else?

 

[kiev4a]

It's definately a curtain problem--it's underexposing on the side the curtain starts from--never can keep the curtains straight but I think there may be too much tension on the second curtain -- if the camera has never been cla'd it may just need cleaning so eveything is moving properly.

 

[captainslack]

Well, it hasn't been CLA' since I got it from alex-photo. Before that, who knows! It's in excellent cosmetic condition. Almost new, in fact. But, it is 45+ years old. *sigh*

Think a CLA by my local guy would work or should I send it to Oleg?

 

[kiev4a]

From the look of it the problem is relatively minor. Might be fixed by simply adjusting curtain tension. But since it probably hasn't be cleaned in 45 years, adjusting tension probably isn't the way to approach it. Don't know what your local guy charges. You can probably send it to Oleg and have him even put in new curtains and cla it for less than a local will charge for cleaning--even with shipping. Of course, you will be without the camera for six weeks or so but when it comes back it should be good for a long time.
I am, admittedly a big fan of Oleg. I was one of his early customers several years ago and have sent him about eight cameras to fix -- everything from a Leningrad to a FED NKVD. Never have had a complaint. Just wish he would move to the U.S.!!
If the FED 2 is in excellent cosmetic shape, and it were me, I would send it to Oleg. FED 2s are common and you could get another for less than it would cost to fix your present camera but chances are good the new camera would have problems, too. I've often thought the best way to do it would be buy a camera from someone over there. Have them send it to Oleg so he can go through it and send it on to the purchaser.

 

[reagan]

It's definately a curtain problem--it's underexposing on the side the curtain starts from--never can keep the curtains straight but I think there may be too much tension on the second curtain -- if the camera has never been cla'd it may just need cleaning so eveything is moving properly.

I'm clueless, and trying to imagine the process of the shutter closing, so just an observation. Looking in the back of the camera "through the film," would the image be upside down? (See attachment) And the shutter opens from the right, right? And the underexposed is on the left.

So kiev4a is saying that the second curtain is releasing, starting to close at the right time, correctly exposing the right side of the neg, but is closing too rapidly, underexposing the left side, i.e. too much tension. Makes sense.

Or the Captain's suspicion that "... my shutter is lagging a bit." could also be suspect of the leading curtain, if it drags just a tad at end of it's travel, making the exposure less than 1/250 on that end.

You're right, it really looks like a minor something, but it's there. Just a little cleaning, etc. would probably clear it up. Dunno boys. When all else fails, wind and shoot the heck out of it --- til your winder fingers bleed and the curtain is smokin'!! Double-bang... :bang: :bang: Just kiddn'... be gentle, she's got some years on her.

"Just wish [Oleg] would move to the U.S.!!" Amen. He'd have to FED purrin' in an afternoon.

 

[captainslack]

*sigh* again.

Oh, well. On the shelf it goes for awhile. We're in the process of buying a car, so no extra money for camera repair until the budget settles down a bit. There seems to be an unwritten rule that I can't have more than one or two RF's working at 100% efficency at any given time. 🙁