aureliaaurita
Well-known
any advice? reccomended sellers? particular models to avoid?
tempted to take a gamble on a fed copy
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Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Feds are like rolling the dice. You can reduce the angst by buying from a dealer like fedka.com.
john341
camera user
Asterlix is a good seller from my experience and I would avoid the FED 3 - the later models are ok and good value considering their lenses are pretty good. Nice camera balance and good viewfinder. Good luck
aureliaaurita
Well-known
are you sure that is how you spell 'asterlix'? as it comes back with a seller with no sales or bids...
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
I think it's Asterliks
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
newspaperguy
Well-known
Please be sure to check out Oleg's site: http://www.okvintagecamera.com/
He is in the Ukraine, and is one of the top repairer/restorers of FSU cameras...
and yes, he is well known on this list for his honesty and diligence.
He is in the Ukraine, and is one of the top repairer/restorers of FSU cameras...
and yes, he is well known on this list for his honesty and diligence.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Oleg sold me a Zorki-1 in good working order, on the cheap. I recommend him. Yuri at Fedka is also reliable.
aureliaaurita
Well-known
ZeissFan
Veteran
From the stories that I've read here and elsewhere, it seems that a common experience is that you buy a camera, there is a problem with it and the seller sends you another camera (one that works) at no charge without question.
While that's very honest of him, it always makes me wonder why they don't do some very basic testing before putting it into a box. It would save them money in the long run from having to ship out two cameras in succession, rather than just one that's working from the start.
Just an observation.
I have a Fed 5. A bit crudely finished but it's a nice camera overall. I bought it from another photo forum for $50, which is a bit high, but it works fine.
While that's very honest of him, it always makes me wonder why they don't do some very basic testing before putting it into a box. It would save them money in the long run from having to ship out two cameras in succession, rather than just one that's working from the start.
Just an observation.
I have a Fed 5. A bit crudely finished but it's a nice camera overall. I bought it from another photo forum for $50, which is a bit high, but it works fine.
mcgrattan
Well-known
I bought my Fed-4 for 15 or 20 pounds [I can't remember the exact amount]. It's been pretty good. The I61 lens really is excellent and the built in meter surprisingly accurate.
I've bought four different FSU rangefinders at one time or another and all of them have been fine [I had to adjust the RF on one, and make a slight adjustment elsewhere to another].
I've bought four different FSU rangefinders at one time or another and all of them have been fine [I had to adjust the RF on one, and make a slight adjustment elsewhere to another].
Peter_Jones
Well-known
Over the years the grease turns into a dry waxy substance, if you can get a camera that claims to have been serviced, that's a bonus - if it's been serviced and regularly used, then that's ideal.
Or just buy one and factor in the cost of a CLA - if you're lucky it'll be fine and need nothing doing 🙂
Or just buy one and factor in the cost of a CLA - if you're lucky it'll be fine and need nothing doing 🙂
mh2000
Well-known
My *new* Fed-5 is the only FSU RF that I ever got that actually worked... and I have bought from all the recommended sellers. Good luck!
If don't already own a Leica, I would suggest buying one of them first... much more likely to work and will save you money in the long run. Leica IIIc's can be had for less than $300 and you can put all the FSU lenses you want on them.
If don't already own a Leica, I would suggest buying one of them first... much more likely to work and will save you money in the long run. Leica IIIc's can be had for less than $300 and you can put all the FSU lenses you want on them.
FallisPhoto
Veteran
Call me a cynic, but I would assume it is because not everyone would return the camera that wasn't working well.
I started a thread a while back about the worst vintage rangefinders people have owned and, as I recall, two that kept coming up were the Moskva 2 and the Zorki 4K. I was pretty glad I'd started that thread, since I was about to buy a 4K. As for the other replies you've gotten here, maybe I just got lucky, but I have an FED3 that works perfectly.
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russianRF
Fed 5C User
My Fed5 has brought me much happiness. I got it through KievUSA.com, which I am told is rather expensive. They CLA the cameras before shipping them, though, and have a pretty stand-up warranty.
Considering the FSU cameras let you into rangefinder photography for less than $100, and considering that their lenses are still plenty sharp, contrasty, and otherwise desirable, I'd say TAKE THE PLUNGE! You can scrimp and save for a Leica or you can be out taking photographs, and THEN scrimp and save for a Leica. Rangefinding is tremendously satisfying, especially for certain types of photography (e.g. street). But you can only participate in it once you actually have a rangefinder. 🙂
Considering the FSU cameras let you into rangefinder photography for less than $100, and considering that their lenses are still plenty sharp, contrasty, and otherwise desirable, I'd say TAKE THE PLUNGE! You can scrimp and save for a Leica or you can be out taking photographs, and THEN scrimp and save for a Leica. Rangefinding is tremendously satisfying, especially for certain types of photography (e.g. street). But you can only participate in it once you actually have a rangefinder. 🙂
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Beware of earlier Leica's though, I own a 1935 IIIa (with the 150% rangefinder magnification) but an early, excellent Jupiter-8 lens will not thread on fully...
Then again, I shoot it with a USD 65.00 Summar that fits it perfectly, so no loss there, I guess... and done for under 300 bucks altogether 🙂
MartinP
Veteran
I'd recommend a FED-2. Almost precisely the same size as an M Leica, combined viewfinder/rangefinder with dioptre adjustment, etc etc. The later models have the 'modern' shutter speed progression, better ss-dial design and an improved winder.
On the auction site "blyatnikov" frequently has well serviced FED's available. My FED-2d came from there, is super quiet and smooth, and has been reliable for more than a year of use (then I bought an M3).
On the auction site "blyatnikov" frequently has well serviced FED's available. My FED-2d came from there, is super quiet and smooth, and has been reliable for more than a year of use (then I bought an M3).
mh2000
Well-known
the problem here is in the lens, not the Leica... try that lens on more FEDs and Zorkis and you will find it won't thread onto half of them either. (I also have a nice J-8 that will not thread onto a FED-2, but it will work on my Leica... go figure).
>>Beware of earlier Leica's though, I own a 1935 IIIa (with the 150% rangefinder magnification) but an early, excellent Jupiter-8 lens will not thread on fully...
>>Beware of earlier Leica's though, I own a 1935 IIIa (with the 150% rangefinder magnification) but an early, excellent Jupiter-8 lens will not thread on fully...
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
My first FSU was a Fed 2 bought from Oleg CLA'd with an Industar 26 for $45.00 ... the camera has been issue free. I also have a Kiev II bought from Fedka which has given no problems either. The Fed 2 is my favourite ... it has an excellent rangefinder and the whole camera appears to be very well made.
I bought a later model Kiev which was a disaster ... the shutter would jam occasionally and the over all build quality was very poor compared to the earlier one I have which I actually kept in preference to a Contax of similar vintage.
I bought a later model Kiev which was a disaster ... the shutter would jam occasionally and the over all build quality was very poor compared to the earlier one I have which I actually kept in preference to a Contax of similar vintage.
wolves3012
Veteran
I'd second the recommendation of a FED 2. Probably the most reliable of the FSUs. Factor in a CLA and you're unlikely to be disappointed. A Zorki 6 would also be worth looking at - like a FED 2 but with hinged back and a lever-wind.
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