rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
Over the years, I have owned and used a few of the FSU rangefinder cameras; FED 2, 3, 4, and 5; Kiev 2, 4, and 4a, Zorki 1 and 3m.
Currently I have just two a Zorki 1 and a fake "contax" which was a Kiev 4 now painted black and not working well.
One of the first I bought was a very nice FED 2 that I wanted to like. And I did like almost everything about it. The major trouble with that camera was the viewfinder. I just did NOT like using that camera because of the VF. It was not any fault with the camera but with my eyes and eyeglasses, it was not a good fit.
I have since moved onto bi-focals for my eyeglasses and am buying much better lenses--for my glasses--than I could afford then.
So, I'm now thinking that it might make sense to try the FED 2 again?
The Zorki VF seems smaller than the FED was but it works well enough for me.
Plus, it would give me a body to dedicate to a Jupiter-12...
Any opinions, thoughts folks?
Rob
Currently I have just two a Zorki 1 and a fake "contax" which was a Kiev 4 now painted black and not working well.
One of the first I bought was a very nice FED 2 that I wanted to like. And I did like almost everything about it. The major trouble with that camera was the viewfinder. I just did NOT like using that camera because of the VF. It was not any fault with the camera but with my eyes and eyeglasses, it was not a good fit.
I have since moved onto bi-focals for my eyeglasses and am buying much better lenses--for my glasses--than I could afford then.
So, I'm now thinking that it might make sense to try the FED 2 again?
The Zorki VF seems smaller than the FED was but it works well enough for me.
Plus, it would give me a body to dedicate to a Jupiter-12...
Any opinions, thoughts folks?
Rob
ray*j*gun
Veteran
The Fed 2 is generally considered to be the most reliable of the FSU's. It was the only one that worked for me right out of the box. However there are some great vendors now that teased me into a a Zorki 1 and Zorki 4 both were completely refurbished and work and look new. If you decide to pursue that route contact me and I'll dig out the vendors e**y info.
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mortalenema
What the?
If you are going to use a FED 2 while wearing eyeglasses, I highly recommend buying eye piece patches from Aki Asahi.
http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/Fed-2/eyepatch/index.php
I have them on all my FSU cameras. Now I don't have to remove my glasses and attempt to compensate with the diopter adjustment.
You can't go wrong with a good FED 2. Solid shooter.
http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/Fed-2/eyepatch/index.php
I have them on all my FSU cameras. Now I don't have to remove my glasses and attempt to compensate with the diopter adjustment.
You can't go wrong with a good FED 2. Solid shooter.
locheeboy
locheeboy
ray*j*gun
Veteran
I have cemented the right sized rubber O ring to the VF and that has worked well.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
This is the vendor I referenced earlier (no connection to me).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FED-2-USSR-...585?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c30439481
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FED-2-USSR-...585?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c30439481
mortalenema
What the?
Hi Mort... Does he deliver to the UK/Europe ?
Thanks.
According to his website, "...Registered Airmail (Priority mail) to any place in the world."
newspaperguy
Well-known
I too have found myself going back to my favorite FSU cameras. Agreed, there is an eyeglass problem. Like Raymond, I have experimented with rubber "O" rings on various cameras.
They work well on my Kiev II which has ample room for cement.
On my Zorki 1d, I've gone to a CV brightline finder, but with a simpler approach to non-scratch:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=159960
They work well on my Kiev II which has ample room for cement.
On my Zorki 1d, I've gone to a CV brightline finder, but with a simpler approach to non-scratch:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=159960
newspaperguy
Well-known
Yes, I see that it's pictured on my Canon P,
but it mostly lives on the little Zorki 1,
along with a nice old Jupiter 12.
but it mostly lives on the little Zorki 1,
along with a nice old Jupiter 12.
geoffox23
Member
Please exercise caution with this seller. My buying experience was opposite to Raymond's.
There may be complications fitting a J-12 to FED-2, as some need the rangefinder arm modified and then the rangefinder recalibrated. Searching here and on Flickr will give more details.
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
Folks,
Thanks for the input!
Ray and geoffox, I have dealt with that seller before--long enough ago that I'm not sure just what I bought but I do remember that the transaction went smooth and the lens(?) was as I expected/hoped.
And, as far as protecting my glasses, I have used O-rings from my local hardware store for a while. Rick, your suggestion about corn pads bears looking into, though!
I do have a few preferred vendors for FSU gear and will likely see what they have on offer and buy something next week.
Rob
Thanks for the input!
Ray and geoffox, I have dealt with that seller before--long enough ago that I'm not sure just what I bought but I do remember that the transaction went smooth and the lens(?) was as I expected/hoped.
And, as far as protecting my glasses, I have used O-rings from my local hardware store for a while. Rick, your suggestion about corn pads bears looking into, though!
I do have a few preferred vendors for FSU gear and will likely see what they have on offer and buy something next week.
Rob
