Newbie advice wanted

[brooksy69]

I thought I would post a few questions after lurking around here for the past couple of days. Basically I am quite a keen amateur, who shoots mostly digital and a bit of film with an SLR. However, I am fed up of missing shots because I dont have a handy camera in my pocket/bag - hence my gravitation towards RF - it seems the best solution (I dont like point and shoot digis etc). I have looked round and think, for my first RF I am going to go for a Fed 2 (unless anyone has any strong advice as to why not). (That was my first question).

My second question is regarding film - looking at instruction manuals on the web and the article on here about bottom loading RFs is about film - I am assuming that I cannot use a std 35mm cartridge and that I need to attach my own film to either end of the spools and cut my own leader (dumb question, I know, but we all have to start somewhere) - in which case where do I get suitable film (in the UK) or do I have to 'unwind' my own. Also what should one do to get this processed (any recomendations of people who can handle this in london is welcome)

Sorry for the totally stupid questions, but I want to get this straight in my head before I commit some ££ to this - I am happy to do the technical side of things - in fact I enjoy it.

Thanks in advance for your help.
AB

 

[nomade]

A fed-2 is just great, my father ha da fed-2 and that's what i 1st used...It's handsome, light, and makes u feel familiar with it...

Just make sure that the roll won't slip...

 

[RichardS]

The FED 2 is a fairly small but fairly heavy easy-to-use and easy to load camera. Get a collapsible lens for it and you can just slip it in a coat pocket.

Dick

 

[JoeFriday]

...for my first RF

at least you're upfront about it 😉

 

[caspert79]

For shure a nice camera, a Fed, but if you really don't want to miss a shot the Olympus XA is the camera for you. Extremely small and easy to use, a true rangefinder that slips into any pocket. And with a great lens by the way.

 

[brooksy69]

Thanks for the advice, I will look at the Olympus XA, but in the mean time, I have bought myself a FED 2 off of fleabay - the price was right (ie cheap) and the description + pics good, so I thought worth the risk... we will see... looking forward to its arrival with some trepidation... will I like it, will I be disappointed...

 

[TPPhotog]

Another vote for a Fed 2 with collapsible lens. It's one of the most enjoyable cameras I've used and capable of good results as the galleries here prove.