Show Off Your FSU

[shadowfox]

Whats the bag?

A Domke F2, still proudly made in the US of A

Wolves, thanks!

 

[Jason808]

My FED2 with J9:

but there is nothing stealth about that strap

 

[dcampbell]

Russian FED-2 Type B4 Rangefinder / 1956 - 1958

Blog post: http://laviboraphotos.blogspot.com/2009/05/back-in-ussr-baby.html

The serial number is 416003 so think I have it classified correctly.

I unintentionally loaded 400 Tmax instead of easier-to-find-locally-practice film and don't think it's loaded correctly; doesn't seem to be advancing film. (This older 'technology' is new to me.) <kicking myself> Does anyone have tips on how to check w/o exposing.

There are some awesomely beautiful cameras in this thread! I haven't looked at all of them yet but look forward to doing so soon.
darlene

 

[Axel]

but there is nothing stealth about that strap

No, never!

...I unintentionally loaded 400 Tmax instead of easier-to-find-locally-practice film and don't think it's loaded correctly; doesn't seem to be advancing film. (This older 'technology' is new to me.) <kicking myself> Does anyone have tips on how to check w/o exposing...
darlene

Nice FED2 darlene!
First time loading film in this russian device was a problem for me, too.
If you are unsure about the film-advance try to rewind the film until you feel the resistance in the rewind-knob getting lower.
Then take out the film, fix the end to the right take-up-spool and
then pull the film out of the cartridge to the left where you
finally place it. So you can see if it is firmly fixed and you get
a plain film position before closing the back.
After about three exposures the left knob should show rotation while advancing.

Regards, Axel

 

[dcampbell]

Thank you so much for the reply, Axel. (and for complimenting my camera) =)

I downloaded a FED-2 manual before I tried to load the film but it's for for a different type. The illustration implies that there is some type of cylinder that you load the film into first but my did not come with anything like that.

I'll try your advice and cross my fingers.

 

[Blake Werts]

Thank you so much for the reply, Axel. (and for complimenting my camera) =)

I downloaded a FED-2 manual before I tried to load the film but it's for for a different type. The illustration implies that there is some type of cylinder that you load the film into first but my did not come with anything like that.

It sounds as if you may not have gotten the takeup spool with the camera. These generally slide off a little knub of a post on the takeup side of the camera body. Check elsewhere on the forum in the archives, I believe people have explained how to construct a replacement takeup spool out of the contents of a spent 35mm canister.

Best Luck,
- Blake

 

[dcampbell]

Blake, thank you for the info. I really appreciate it and will look through the archives. I was not sure if mine was missing that or if it did need one because it's a different model of FED-2.

I hope to get this solved and be able to report back with photos to post.

 

[dcampbell]

Thank you all for the help and info! I am so happy because I finally got the film loaded in my FED-2!

Blake -- I do have the take-up spool but the illustrations in the manual are a little confusing to me. The take-up spool looked thicker.

Now...I don't see the knob/dial or whatever to specify the type of film. The top of the FED-2 in the manual is different than mine. I ran out of play time this weekend.

 

[blw]

dcampbell,

Welcome to the greatest issue for me with owning an FSU camera....the film take-up. I've not owned a Fed, but I do have a Zorki and two Kievs. The Zorki has a fixed take-up spool (like a "modern" 35mm camera") and wouldn't be a problem for me except for the shutter has a pinhole in it. The take-up release is a little funky; but after 2 rolls of film I think I know what to do now.

The Kievs on the other hand....wonderful cameras, except for that damned non-fixed film take up spool (aka the removable one). For this I have tried taping the film leader to the spool, the take up cartridges you mentioned earlier and all I have met is total frustration with the film transport of these otherwise wonderful cameras. I've lost ENTIRELY too many potential photos in these cameras due to untrustworthy film transports. Follow instructions regarding this issue to the letter and you might lessen the problems (again my ignorance of FEDs comes to light because I don't know how the film counter works either). Please ask if you have other questions, but this is what I know to say so far. Good luck.

(and yes, I do have a black Kiev posted in this thread about 4 or 5 pages back- although it could be more, I don't know anymore)

 

[bugoyking]

Let me join in folks!

 

[dcampbell]

dcampbell,

Welcome to the greatest issue for me with owning an FSU camera....the film take-up. I've not owned a Fed, but I do have a Zorki and two Kievs. The Zorki has a fixed take-up spool (like a "modern" 35mm camera") and wouldn't be a problem for me except for the shutter has a pinhole in it. The take-up release is a little funky; but after 2 rolls of film I think I know what to do now.

The Kievs on the other hand....wonderful cameras, except for that damned non-fixed film take up spool (aka the removable one). For this I have tried taping the film leader to the spool, the take up cartridges you mentioned earlier and all I have met is total frustration with the film transport of these otherwise wonderful cameras. I've lost ENTIRELY too many potential photos in these cameras due to untrustworthy film transports. Follow instructions regarding this issue to the letter and you might lessen the problems (again my ignorance of FEDs comes to light because I don't know how the film counter works either). Please ask if you have other questions, but this is what I know to say so far. Good luck.

(and yes, I do have a black Kiev posted in this thread about 4 or 5 pages back- although it could be more, I don't know anymore)

Thanks so much for the info. I appreciate every piece of information than anyone has to offer. The take-up spool in my FED-2 is removable and has a little 'clip' thing to slide the film under. I had to align the film with the spool a couple times until enough was wound around the spool to stay tight. Maybe there's a better way. Now the challenge will be to get the film OUT of the camera. I haven't taken photos with it because I haven't figured out how to set the type of film.

Let me join in folks!

OMG! It's beautiful! I wonder what today's cameras will look like in 50 years.

Your camera looks like mine! The serial number begins with 406. Google'd and found a site that leads me to believe that it is a FED-2 Type B4. I have no idea how meaningful that info is useful but it sounds cool to me.

So, please, please, can you tell me what dial or know I should use to set the film type or if it matters?

Thanks again!
darlene

 

[dcampbell]

If you have a film reminder of some kind on the camera by all means use it. But since the camera has no meter you'll either have to use a hand-held meter or use those "guesstimate" charts that sometimes are packed with film (i.e., the "sunny 16 rule," etc.) to set the exposures. I've been using manual cameras for the better part of 35 years and I've never had much success with those charts, though, which is why I have a trusty hand-held Gossen Luna Pro.

Thanks! You've helped a lot. I've been waiting to use the FED because I thought that the camera needed to be told what kind of film.

darlene

 

[bugoyking]

Thanks darlene. Mine begins with a 510 serial number. Love shooting with it, but have to get more practice.

 

[dcampbell]

Thanks darlene. Mine begins with a 510 serial number. Love shooting with it, but have to get more practice.

I need a lot more experience and will get to practice with it tonight at a fireworks over the bay event. Hopefully some will be worth saving. I'm using cheaper film until I know what I'm doing.

darlene

 

[photobizzz]

Kiev 4AM - J-9, J-12, H-103, & Retina 35/80 Finder

Kiev 4AM - J-9, J-12, H-103, & Retina 35/80 Finder

Finished my Kiev kit complete with 85, 50, and 35mm lenses. I am using a Kodak Retina 35/80 finder.

Just finished the paint & synthetic leather, looks sweet - IMHO of course

 

[photobizzz]

Zorki 4 & I-22

Zorki 4 & I-22

Here is my Zorki 4 with I-22. Picked this up on eBay for a great price. Just shot my first roll, cant wait to see the results.

 

[photobizzz]

Fed 2 & Fed I-10

Fed 2 & Fed I-10

Early FED 2 with FED I-10 (no flash sync & engraving on top)

Cleaned and adjusted RF/VF today (thanks to sticky here in forum)

 

[photobizzz]

Few More

Few More

Few more of my new FED 2

 

[photobizzz]

Nope, looks original to me - kinda hard but dont see the point in changing it since it seems to be original

 

[photobizzz]

Yea I paid a bit more for this set because it looked so good, like the Zorki 3C and J12 I have coming, all from truckingamerica (ebay seller)