wrecked Fed 3b

[nikola]

Hi,

I just obtained one fed 3b, and it's totally wrecked...
- fast shutter speeds don't work including B???
- and viewfinder front glass is pushed in on one side.

I had never done repair work, but I’m eager to start. 😀

I would appreciate some tips.

 

[Spyderman]

On my Fed 3b the viewfinder prism is deeper on one side, but it doesn't seem to be a problem.

 

[Hamster]

My FED 3B VF is also slanted on one side, I think this is normal.

 

[w3rk5]

- fast shutter speeds don't work including B???
-

Hi nikola. Can you provide more detail?

 

[nikola]

- fast shutter speeds don't work including B???

by the sound of shutter I concluded that slow speeds are distinctively different,
but when I set B shutter sound like 1/250 and closes in that maner 🙂
winding or fast speeds also closes shutter at high speed, and the speed of closing is equal for all setted fast speeds.

 

[nikola]

w3rk5: i saw yours beutiful fed 3a and z6, which one do you prefer as users camera.
I contractd GAS, and now opting for z6 but it comes with rigid industar 50... (25$) 😀

btw will you write that painting guide? 🙂

i'm thinking about mate grey and pig skin for 3b, if i go that far.

 

[w3rk5]

I dunno if I can offer any advice on what's going on with your FED 3b. I hope you manage to fix it. Between the 3a and Zorki 6, I prefer the 3a. I find it easier to use. The hinged back, fixed take up spool, and lever wind actually made shooting a little more difficult. Also, the example I have works perfectly. 🙂

I know I'm taking a long time with the painting instructions. Just hang in there for a bit longer. I promise I'll have it done soon. 😉 The mate grey and pig skin for the 3b should look sweet.

 

[fidget]

hi Nikola,
you will have to get the top off. It is very likely that the shutter release mechanism is dry and needs lubrication. There are a few guides here to taking off the top. When off, you will see the shutter release and selector. A major cause of lost speeds is caused when the long spring pushing the crescent shaped lever cannot do its job because the lever will not move up and down freely. Very briefly: the crescent is moved down (following the movement of the shutter button and pushed by the spring) it releases the top peg (first curtain spool) then catches the bottom curtain peg. The bottom peg stays caught until the first peg hits the crescent and pushes it away, releasing the bottom peg. The B speed is exactly as the fast speeds except the first peg never reaches the crescent to push it off. It is released when the shutter is released, when the crescent rises out of the path of the bottom peg. It is important that the spring can push the crescent in and down.
When the top is off you may see what is wrong with the glass.

 

[nikola]

thanks, i will try this weekend if i find some time... 🙂

 

[Hamster]

thanks, i will try this weekend if i find some time... 🙂

Rick Olsen's site have a very good drawing on how to take the top cover off the FED 3B. Unfortunately his site is blacoked in China so i can't provide a link, but I have successfully repaired using his drawings as a reference.