Opinions on the Fed3a

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robin a

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8-23 Hi,I'm looking for a new toy,whats everyones opinion of the Fed3a?Is it a remodeled Fed2 or different?Hows the viewfinder,bright hard to focus?Thanks to all for your replies. ROBIN
 
A very pretty little camera, I think Robin; essentially a development of the FED 2 with slow speeds. The shorter base rangefinder isn't a problem, particularly with wides or the 2.8 industar standard lenses. The only thing that irks me about the later Feds is the jagged dioptre adjustment ring around the viewfinder, which - ironically - is not so great if you wear glasses!

Cheers, Ian
 
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I have a pair along with a trio of Fed-2's. The 3a is basically a 2 with a different top housing and a different (shorter base) rangefinder. There were also incremental changes made to the shutter. The Viewfinder is no better than the Fed-2.

The Soviets made incremental improvements all along their product lines. Very few big jumps, just steady building on what they recognized as good designs.

I think the Fed 3a is a better looking, better aesthetically balanced, camera than the Fed-2. Functionally they are about the same.

Don't confuse the step-top design of the Fed-3a with the step-top design of the Zorki-3 and -3M. The Fed's are chronologically younger but the Zorki 's are larger and heavier cameras. Also the viewfinders are much bigger and brighter in the Zorki's.

There's a lot of good information here:

http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/


-Paul
 
Hi Robin, I've used the FED3a for a year or so. I like the feel very much. As has been said already the viewfinder is pretty much the same, but the dioptre adjustment can be set and left alone (I don't wear glasses). I like the FED3b also, but the 3a has that wind knob, just the thing. Look out for the earlier version of the 3a. Nicer name plate and speed selector, if you fancy something just a little different.
Dave...
 
The Fed 3a is the best-looking Fed IMHO. The diopter adjustment isn't great for glasses-wears unless you take your glasses off - but because you can adjust the diopter, this is practical and I rather like the design. The camera has a solid feel and heft to it and inspires confidence. If you were to only own one Fed, this is a good one to own.
 
Very solid camera, not so little IMHO, viewfinder I think could have some sort of coating, because green looks "greener", kind of semi-polarizing effect, very pleasing.
I don't like the lack of sharp edges on the viewfinder, so I always use a Vidom-like variable viewfinder from Walz, ever, with 50mm lens too.
Not very silent. I was used to Kiev-contax design and its "swoosh" and now I'm using Zorki 1 with its "fluup".
My 3a sounds a loud "schcklack".
The best thing of fed 3a is the lens attached to it: Industar 61...colors from c41 rolls come out saturated as good slides! And with a loupe you can test its zharpness..
Very nice looking.
 
I have owned several FSU's. I've managed to slim down to a FED 2, FED 3a (type 2), and a Kiev 4. My goto camera would be the FED 3a, then the Kiev 4 followed by the FED 2.

Like PhotoJim mentioned, "The camera has a solid feel and heft to it and inspires confidence. If you were to only own one Fed, this is a good one to own." I couldn't agree more.:)
 
I'm surprised you rate your kiev over your fed. I gotta say my kiev is a lot brighter, faster to focus, but the fed-2 goes in my pocket time and time again. The fed3 looks nice, how much taller than the 2 though? (fed2 has my vote for style)
 
I was surprised also. :)

The FED 3a is only taller than the FED 2 by less then 1 cm.
 
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