lovelife
Newbie
Hi all,
I have just recieved my Fed 3a in the post but there is no manual with it which I didnt realise. I am new to the whole rangefinder photography and I am a little stuck using the Fed lol
Sorry to sound like a complete newbie but how do I actually advance the film and when do I no it has advanced far enough to start taking pictures?
Any help would be great thanks Amanda
I have just recieved my Fed 3a in the post but there is no manual with it which I didnt realise. I am new to the whole rangefinder photography and I am a little stuck using the Fed lol
Sorry to sound like a complete newbie but how do I actually advance the film and when do I no it has advanced far enough to start taking pictures?
Any help would be great thanks Amanda
oftheherd
Veteran
Keep checking back. Someone who has or had one will come in and help. I don't have any Fed or other Leica-like cameras, but rather the Kiev. However, on the top, there is a knob with numbers that go up to about 36. Is on the right as you look at the camera from the back. If it is like the Kiev, you set it to a start position and advance the film until it reaches the number 1 and that is your first picture. All the way to the left is the rewind knob. There will be a release somewhere to allow rewinding the film when you are done with the roll. the middle knob is for setting shutter speeds. The shutter release is between the film counter/wind lever and the shutter speed. Ask others here about the time release. On some older cameras they don't work and if you try they may jam the shutter. All I have heard this is a good camera. Enjoy and welcome to RFF.
EDIT: BTW, as I said, I don't have one, and was looking at the photos on the ebay listing at http://cgi.ebay.com/Zorki-Fed-3-Ran...eras?hash=item23031eae82&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
EDIT: BTW, as I said, I don't have one, and was looking at the photos on the ebay listing at http://cgi.ebay.com/Zorki-Fed-3-Ran...eras?hash=item23031eae82&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
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Al Kaplan
Veteran
http://www.marriottcameras.co.uk/instruct3//fed4/with_pictures.htm
All it took was a quick search:
fed, 35mm, instructions
All it took was a quick search:
fed, 35mm, instructions
konicaman
konicaman
Being new to FEDs: Never try to change the shutter speed unless you have made sure to wind the film!
Usually 2 windings and releasing of the shutter should put you in position for taking a picture.
Manuals are here:
http://www.otter.se/photo/fed3/FED-3_user_guide.html
and here:
http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/fed3.html
Ohh.. and please remember to push the winding arm ALL the way as long as it will go. On some FEDs you can actually release the shutter even if it has not been fully cocked - with some rather strange results.
Happy shooting!
Usually 2 windings and releasing of the shutter should put you in position for taking a picture.
Manuals are here:
http://www.otter.se/photo/fed3/FED-3_user_guide.html
and here:
http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/fed3.html
Ohh.. and please remember to push the winding arm ALL the way as long as it will go. On some FEDs you can actually release the shutter even if it has not been fully cocked - with some rather strange results.
Happy shooting!
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lovelife
Newbie
Hi thanks for you replies but Al Kaplan and konicaman the info you gave me is for the Fed 3b and have the Fed 3a, I already found instructions for the 3b one but the 3a does not have the winding arm and that is why I am a little confused lol.
How do I cock the shutter on the Fed 3a and how do I advance the film for each shot?
oftheherd thanks for your info do u no when you said about how to advance the film until it reaches the number 1 and that is your first picture, do I have to turn the knob all the way around each time I take a pic, for example when I am on 1 I take a picture then I wind it clockwise all the way abck around pass the number 1 then to 2 and so on, if that correct?
Thanks Amanda
How do I cock the shutter on the Fed 3a and how do I advance the film for each shot?
oftheherd thanks for your info
do u no when you said about how to advance the film until it reaches the number 1 and that is your first picture, do I have to turn the knob all the way around each time I take a pic, for example when I am on 1 I take a picture then I wind it clockwise all the way abck around pass the number 1 then to 2 and so on, if that correct?Thanks Amanda
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
This Fed 3 manual is close enough for the Fed 3a
http://www.otter.se/photo/fed3/FED-3_user_guide.html
http://www.otter.se/photo/fed3/FED-3_user_guide.html
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Be sure the selector around the shutter button is in the advance position instead of rewind position, or the winding knob will not cock the shutter.
lovelife
Newbie
Hi thanks and yes this does help on most things but I dont understand what to do as the fed 3a does not have the advance lever. So on the Fed 3a how do I advance the film to each frame?
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
lovelife, I'm afraid you need more help than I can give you online.
Basically, you turn the wind knob until it stops, then set the shutter speed. Fire the shutter, then turn the advance knob until it stops again.
This may not be the best camera for you.
Basically, you turn the wind knob until it stops, then set the shutter speed. Fire the shutter, then turn the advance knob until it stops again.
This may not be the best camera for you.
lovelife
Newbie
I'm sorry but I am very interested in Rangefinders and I am wanting to leanr but I am completely new to them at the same time.
Are the wind knob and advance knob different? If yes can you tell me which ones are which thanks and sorry for being a bit of a idiot
crawdiddy
qu'est-ce que c'est?
This sounds like a job for Ruben (RFF member). Try emailing him. He's a fancier of FEDs.
lovelife
Newbie
One more question Should the exposure counter go up automatically after each shot or would I have to move it manually? Just the reason I ask is each time I wind the shutter head to get ready for the next shot the exposure counter moves as well, should that happen? If yes then what if I forget how many exposures I have used?
Thanks again Amanda
Should the exposure counter go up automatically after each shot or would I have to move it manually? Just the reason I ask is each time I wind the shutter head to get ready for the next shot the exposure counter moves as well, should that happen? If yes then what if I forget how many exposures I have used?Thanks again Amanda
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
Amanda,
First: Don't Panic!
Second, the "wind knob" and the "advance knob" are different terms for the same thing. The big knob on the top right--holding the camera as you would to take a photo.
Third, yes, the exposure counter should move by itself. On the FED3, I believe you need to set it to zero each time you load film. And, even if you forget, the camera will let you know when you've finished the roll of film by not letting you "wind on" or "advance" the film any more.
Fourth, the FED3 you have is reasonably close to the FED2 and by reading the manual for that camera as well, you should be able to make sense of your camera. Here is a link to a FED2 manual:http://www.butkus.org/chinon/russian/fed_2/fed_2.htm
And, as has been mentioned, always advance the film BEFORE changing shutter speeds.
I think (from the questions you've been asking ) that you will figure this camera out. Probably sooner rather than later.
Good luck!
Rob
First: Don't Panic!
Second, the "wind knob" and the "advance knob" are different terms for the same thing. The big knob on the top right--holding the camera as you would to take a photo.
Third, yes, the exposure counter should move by itself. On the FED3, I believe you need to set it to zero each time you load film. And, even if you forget, the camera will let you know when you've finished the roll of film by not letting you "wind on" or "advance" the film any more.
Fourth, the FED3 you have is reasonably close to the FED2 and by reading the manual for that camera as well, you should be able to make sense of your camera. Here is a link to a FED2 manual:http://www.butkus.org/chinon/russian/fed_2/fed_2.htm
And, as has been mentioned, always advance the film BEFORE changing shutter speeds.
I think (from the questions you've been asking ) that you will figure this camera out. Probably sooner rather than later.
Good luck!
Rob
oftheherd
Veteran
Do check the link to Butkus rbeimer has given above. The English is stilted, but usable. I was intrigued by the instruction to put the lens cap on when rewinding film. Any of you users know why that might be?
Anyway, keep at it and don't be afraid to ask questions. We aren't used to someone who is so unknowledgable about cameras, but since we alll started out that way, nobody is going to yell at you or call you dumb. Film is fun to use, and when this forum started several years ago, there was more talk of FSU (Former Soviet Union) cameras and fixed lens RF cameras than anything else. Obviously there are still FSU users here.
Most of us have been around film cameras for a long time, so we can experiment a little and figure out things based on previous experience. Even so, most of us run across things from time to time that we can't easily figure out, and will often ask rather than spend a lot of time looking or experimenting. It sounds like you don't have that experience. Yet.
Hang in there and some day you will be helping some one who sounds like a total noob, and sounding like a very experienced user. And if fact, by then, you probably will be.
I think you are going to like film and FSU cameras. They have an alure of their own, even when seeming to have unique problems. BTW, do remember to advance the film (which winds the shutter, before changing shutter speeds) as suggested. I know that is necessary with the Kiev. I didn't know it was necessary with FEDs, but apparently it is. It can cause shutter problems to do so. Sometimes you can recover yourself, sometimes it requires a repairman. Best to just learn to always do that.
Another thing comes to mind. Workflow with the camera. My way is to wait until I am ready to take a photo before advancing the film. I make that my way to do it all the time. The I don't leave then shutter tensioned too long. With folders it is just the opposite for me.
Sound complicated? Don't dispair. It isn't really. It is just learning different workflows for different cameras, so it becomes second nature. You will learn to do it too.
Anyway, keep at it and don't be afraid to ask questions. We aren't used to someone who is so unknowledgable about cameras, but since we alll started out that way, nobody is going to yell at you or call you dumb. Film is fun to use, and when this forum started several years ago, there was more talk of FSU (Former Soviet Union) cameras and fixed lens RF cameras than anything else. Obviously there are still FSU users here.
Most of us have been around film cameras for a long time, so we can experiment a little and figure out things based on previous experience. Even so, most of us run across things from time to time that we can't easily figure out, and will often ask rather than spend a lot of time looking or experimenting. It sounds like you don't have that experience. Yet.
Hang in there and some day you will be helping some one who sounds like a total noob, and sounding like a very experienced user. And if fact, by then, you probably will be.
I think you are going to like film and FSU cameras. They have an alure of their own, even when seeming to have unique problems. BTW, do remember to advance the film (which winds the shutter, before changing shutter speeds) as suggested. I know that is necessary with the Kiev. I didn't know it was necessary with FEDs, but apparently it is. It can cause shutter problems to do so. Sometimes you can recover yourself, sometimes it requires a repairman. Best to just learn to always do that.
Another thing comes to mind. Workflow with the camera. My way is to wait until I am ready to take a photo before advancing the film. I make that my way to do it all the time. The I don't leave then shutter tensioned too long. With folders it is just the opposite for me.
Sound complicated? Don't dispair. It isn't really. It is just learning different workflows for different cameras, so it becomes second nature. You will learn to do it too.
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pakeha
Well-known
what an exellent encouraging reply from oftheherd,
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
"I was intrigued by the instruction to put the lens cap on when rewinding film."
Before all focal plane shutters became "self capping", this was standard procedure. It is wise to always follow it to avoid any danger of light reaching the film through a partially open shutter.
Before all focal plane shutters became "self capping", this was standard procedure. It is wise to always follow it to avoid any danger of light reaching the film through a partially open shutter.
pakeha
Well-known
Before all focal plane shutters became "self capping", this was standard procedure. It is wise to always follow it to avoid any danger of light reaching the film through a partially open shutter.
exellent advice, never considered this and sure will from now on, thank you
exellent advice, never considered this and sure will from now on, thank you
gb hill
Veteran
Here is a site with instructions from many russian cameras. Hope they will be of help.
I think all the early soviet cameras had a winding knob instead of the more modern lever winder. It cocks the shutter while you are advancing the film.
http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/index.html
I think all the early soviet cameras had a winding knob instead of the more modern lever winder. It cocks the shutter while you are advancing the film.
http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/index.html
lovelife
Newbie
Hi everyone just want to say thankyou very much for all of your great advice. I have finally figured it out lol. Also thankyou oftheherd for your kind response and I look forward to being a member of this forum.
oftheherd
Veteran
You are more than welcome, but it wasn't just me. You have gotten a lot of good advice, and from those who know more about the FED than I do. There is no place like Rangefinderforum. It is unique. Enjoy this forum, and taking photos.