New to FSU RF

[unohuu]

Two quick questions. 1) Are the FSU cameras known to have rather dim finders? This one seems particularly dim in comparison to the Lynx 14 and Vitomatic II that I have. 2) Is the fix to align the RF patch relatively easy? I ask because it seems to be out of line. Problem is I have only one lens, and that came with this camera. 2a) Is it relatively inexpensive to align and could my local guy here at Custom Camera probably do it (and maybe clean the finder at the same time)?

Luke

 

[captainslack]

I assume you're talking about the FED 5?

 

[Jocko]

1) In general, probably yes - although the FED 5 is by no means the worse!

2) A few months ago I wouldn't have dreamed of adjusting a camera - but putting the rangefinder right is quite easy and I've now done it loads of time. If I can do it, you certainly can!. Here's an excellent guide to adjusting the FED 1 - the FED 5 rangefinder is basically the same - http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page422.htm

And on the FED 5 itself - http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/rfadjust/index.htm

 

[kmack]

Matt Denton's site has a Fed 5b and photos showing rangefinder adjustment.

I can say that the finders on my FSU's are much dimmer than my Konica S2.

 

[captainslack]

Finders on the FED's are dimmer than the Zorki's in general, I believe. At least they are between my FED 2 & my Zorki 4. The Zorki is dimmer still than any of my Japanese or German bodies.

 

[unohuu]

Thanks everyone

Thanks everyone

Guess that means I will have to give it a try. Just polished off the last of a roll of Efke KB so I can work on that later this week. I tried the adjustment but not enough space indoors to make it work and there are no lights available out of doors tonight for me to focus on. I was able to remove the faceplate though and the hemastat came in handy for replacing the spring. Luke

 

[jlw]

Are the FSU cameras known to have rather dim finders?

In general I think this is true -- although there are exceptions. The Leningrad's finder is quite bright (although the non-coincident rangefinder patch takes some getting used to.)

The Droug also is rather bright, about on the level of a Canon P (and has the same type of reflected framelines, although the Droug only has 50mm and 85mm and they're not parallax-compensated.

In my admittedly limited experience, these two are the best viewfinders on FSU cameras. Odd, then, that neither camera was nearly as popular as the Zorkis and Feds!

 

[w3rk5]

I tried the adjustment but not enough space indoors to make it work and there are no lights available out of doors tonight for me to focus on.

Hi Luke. You can adjust infinity indoors. All you need is 10 feet. Scroll close to the bottom of the link I put up. I've used this method on my rangefinders and it works very well. When you nail infinity, everything else is close enough to give you accurate focusing. Good luck on it.

http://members.tripod.com/rick_oleson/index-123.html

 

[DaveP]

Hello,
Dont let the Feds dim finder fool you, it has a lot of contrast in the patch and can be seen in realtively low light............

 

[reagan]

You can adjust infinity indoors.

Great link, w3... Thanks!

 

[unohuu]

Great link, w3... Thanks!

That was a helpful link, albeit I saw it a day late. I did get the finder adjusted. Nice snowy cold morning here in MN. -7C and 46kph brreze makes for a chilly start to the day. Luke

 

[Jocko]

Hi Luke. You can adjust infinity indoors. All you need is 10 feet. Scroll close to the bottom of the link I put up. I've used this method on my rangefinders and it works very well. When you nail infinity, everything else is close enough to give you accurate focusing. Good luck on it.

http://members.tripod.com/rick_oleson/index-123.html

That's absolutely brilliant! I wish I'd known that before! Thank You!

 

[w3rk5]

I'm glad that link helped so many people. I modded Rick Oleson's version to make focusing a little easier from 10 feet away. I draw 3 inch squares (colour them in different colours) instead of using an x and a +.

 

[reagan]

"... makes for a chilly start to the day."

Yowza, not much better here in IL. Next few days might be a good time to stay in and "fine tune" FSUs. New Zorki 3 arrived today though (came in with the Siberian winds) so I got to get out sometime and burn a test roll. 😱