Tell me that I'm crazy! (or, why I don't need a Fed 2)

[squeaky_clean]

Something strange seems to be happening to me... I've been overcome with this strange desire to play with these russian rangefinders. Most especially I like the FED 2. I like the way it looks, and I think it'd be great fun with a collapsable Industar. A great pocket cam.

I also think the Zorki 3 and 4 look interesting. I've heard good things about them. But I really like the FED. I have no idea why. I'm crazy.

You'd think I should just buy one, b/c they are so cheap, right? well, if I buy another piece of camera equipment, I'm pretty sure my wife will make me sleep with them instead of her. Or bludgeon me to death with it. Especially after the lens I just bought for my EOS.... 🙄

I don't know why i am so intruiged by these cameras all of a sudden. I have even thought of selling my beloved G-III to finance one of these, although I know I would regret it. Somebody talk me out of my madness!!! lol...

 

[optikhit]

Of course you're crazy. Definitely you're crazy. I am sure you're crazy!....

But me too, you drive me crazy too...

 

[w3rk5]

My advice for you is to give you wife a big hug. Look her in the eyes and tell her that you love her. Then you go buy a FED 2. 😀

 

[squeaky_clean]

I already used that one...

A couple times. 😉

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I use that one with the boyfriend...never works.

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

for goodness sake, you have to have one.

If it has a crappy shutter- its a good book stop. Its also goodforwalloping would be muggers- but only when it's attached to aGordy'swrist strap.

Oh, yeah, you need one or two of those.

That was an unpaid endorsement. I'm making sure I maintain my amature status.

Bob H

 

[Stephanie Brim]

No no...it's the Argus C3 that is good for walloping would-be muggers...if you get hit on the head with that thing hard enough you're not getting up for a very long time.

 

[squeaky_clean]

It's true. I think I need one... But is it worth selling the Canonet for?

 

[w3rk5]

Here's another one. Wait until she's very distracted. So busy that she doesn't have time to pay any attention to you. Then you kinda whisper, "May I buy another camera?" followed by an, "Okay?" just loud enough for her to hear. 99% of the time people will say, "Okay". Snap! Crackel! Pop! You've got yourself a free ticket to buy another camera. 😀

I hope everyone is printing this. This stuff is gold I tell ya. Gold. 😀

 

[nzeeman]

i have 5 FSU's and tomorrow ill probably buy zorki6 or zorki5 on flea market. they are sooo cheap and also they have industar 61 l/d which i dont have (i have only old 'panda' version). so JUST FOLLOW YOUR DREAM MY SON and buy that fed 2. you know maybe some old sad fed 2 sits alone in some dark corner and wait for you to put some light on him and make his life happy. help that fed for God's sake!! 😀

 

[Michael I.]

fed 2 is great but the finder is SQUINTY

 

[Jocko]

Just buy it. It's like having Doris Day on your wrist-strap - there are things it won't do, but the fun is in the challenge and two reels later you're together for life! And you can be Rock Hudson!

The Fed 2 - pure'n'wholesome photography! 😀

 

[squeaky_clean]

Well, someone actually offered me a FED 5c w/ an I-61 on it for the cost of shipping... So I'm going to be in thise here Russian club! It'll be a good way to get started, I think. Hopefully I can get a 2 body later.

 

[rbiemer]

It's true. I think I need one... But is it worth selling the Canonet for?

NO! The FED 2 is a very nice camera if you don't hate the squinty VF but I think you will regret giving up th e Canonet for it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of yoyr life...
Rob

 

[squeaky_clean]

Yeah, I def. don't think I am going to sell the Canonet. We'll see how I like the 5 before I do anything else.

On a side note... I was just at Fedka.com, and I totally got attacked by some kind of virus! Fortunately my anti-virus was on top of it... Anybody have this happen there before?

 

[rbiemer]

The FED 5 is a very different experience than the FED 2. I have one and like its VF much better than the VF on the FED2. The 5 doesn't have strap lugs, though.
My favorite FSU cameras is the Zorki 3m. Has all the things I like/want/need: Big VF, full range of shutter speds, strap lugs, classic good looks.
One warning about these russian cameras(and yes, there are some exceptions to this): advance the film THEN set/change shutter speed.
Rob

 

[dnk512]

Do not sell the G-III. Feed your GAS. Buy the Fed-2. Your wife will buy a pair of shoes (or earings) and all will be well.

 

[reagan]

Don't sell the Canon... for now. Get a FED or whatever and see if you like it first *snicker, snicker.. heh-ummm* You can always sell the Canon later if you decide you don't need it.

As to the wife, here's what I do... I take her in my arms, hold her close and say, "You know you're my favorite Comrade... and that I would walk across Siberia for you, my little Ukranian wildflower. But I have burning in me something I can't control... it's bigger than the both of us. I MUST buy another Russian camera." Then I kiss her on the cheek and quietly get my little bag and go sleep in the garage for six days.

 

[Jocko]

As Rob says, the Fed 5c is a very different experience - but also a much under-rated camera. The same goes for the I-61, a sharp, high-contrast lens often overlooked in the quest for bokeh. Lots of fun coming!

 

[lmd91343]

Don't sell the GIII !
Use and enjoy the FED 5. The FED 5 use/experience is not as good as the FED2.

When you get a FED 2, you can use the FED 5 for parts! 🙂 Seriously, the tripod socket and take-up spool can be moved from the 5 to the 2, giving you a standard tripod thread in the bottom of the FED 2 and even easier film loading.

You still need to get the FED 2!