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I have a FED 2 without a self timer lol
Thanks for an informative review. A few notes from an amateur who used FED2 for more than two decades. FED2 was my first and only camera for many years. My father bought it in 1957 with Industar-26M lens. Later, circa 1963, he replaced the old lens by Industar-61. I still have negatives from both of these and can compare the quality after I scanned them using a high-resolution scanner. The difference in quality is especially noticeable when a fine-grain film was used, such as Agfa Isopan F. Industar 26 is a lousy lens for anything other than portrait photography — and why would anyone use 35-mm film for this anyways? Even according to the official specs, it had low resolution in the center field, but at the edge, it really sucked. I remember the number 14 lines/mm, but do not recall if it referred to the edge or center. On the other hand, I-61 is amazingly sharp. I did not know it back at the time, since my enlarger lens was of poor quality (Industar-50U), but with the scanner you can see minute details in the background. The reason for this difference in quality is reportedly that I-61 used rare-earth (Lanthanum) doped glass in one of the components, which allowed to increase the refractive index and thus use less lens curvature (Russian Wiki). That led to smaller amounts of aberrations. I also heard that, at least in some later modifications, I-61 used an aspherical lens. Another advantage of I-61 was more sophisticated optical coating. I would use I-61 again, but not I-26.
One more thing. In order to replace a lens in a range-finder camera (in the USSR), the procedure required a so-called "justirovka" (adjustment) that was done by a camera shop by adding or removing thin washers to the camera mount. You couldn't simply buy another lens, even of the same model, and screw it in and start shooting.
One more note. Regarding the strap. All cameras, including FED2, were sold in nice leather holsters with straps, but the real good feature of those was that you did not have to remove the camera when taking pictures. You simply opened the front of the holster, and the camera was still secure in it, supported by the strap. No need for a separate strap for the naked camera! I used it on many trips, in the mountains and on the water, did not have a single accident…
You are guilty of making me to buy many Soviet era film cameras, I have 2 Zorky, 2 Kiev 4, about 10 Smena and I enjoy playing with them, Don't you feel guilty? my wife hates you because I almost lost contact with her, it is time consuming my hobby, but to be honest with you, I prefer better 1000 times fold my cameras than my wife.
I own a FED2 and I am very very satisfied with it, for me its the best looking fed´s there is, and, one of the best looking cameras one can get.
Hey! Is it possible to take pictures during the night? Only with some urban lightings?
Zenography I want to buy a wide angle lens for my FED. Could you please tell me what are the choices available? I think I have heard about a Jupiter 12?…. There's any other options? Thanks in advance.
I have the FED4. I like however find it a bit chunky! I am now tempted to add the FED 2 in the bag! I have tried a few Zorki's but all came with problems so I stuck with the FED!
I am watching this video, with my Green Skinned FED -2, but mine doesn't not have the self timer.
My FED 2 keeps ripping my film after 7-10 frames have been shot. Any Advice please.
does Feds have same issues as Zorki with shutter speed and losing tension ?
Early fed 2 with a smaller advance nob and without self-timer looks prettier
So i got a hold of my granpas old Fed 2 and some 20 year old film from my mothers fridge. Let's see if i can get any pictures out of them.
I just bought my first Fed 2, paid $40.00 + $30.00 shipping from Russia and appreciate your excellent review, once my camera arrives I will be out first weekend to shoot some black and white film and one color for comparison.
Your reviews of russian cameras are really helpful. I feel that the cold war mentality created a myth among american photographers about the bad quality of russian cameras. So it's quite common to see people underrating these cameras without any empirical grounding. It's just loose opinions. I think your videos contribute to correct that.
I had a Leica 111c.
I have a Zorki 4K now. I like it on the shelf for display as I mostly use 6×6 now. Seagull 4bi and a Kiev 6c with a 90mm 2.8 lens.
A nice big negative in the darkroom.
Waist level viewing is ideal for composing arty photos I find
Again, a wonderful video. I do have two or three of these former Soviet Union machines. No Leica (yet). I will need to review my holdings to find out which FED I have before I search the net for a 2. I really enjoy seeing your photo samples. I learn a great deal by studying images taken by other photographers, particularly on film.
I inherited the same фед 2you showed in your video , exept the timer is broken (the lever is missing)
I have to say (in a nice way) that you are partially responsible for my acquiring Russian GAS, first purchasing a very nice Kiev4a (sans light meter) with a Jupiter 8 and Jupiter 12 lens (the last with a turret).After watching your video regarding "which is the best Zorki 4" I ended up sourcing and buying last night a fully serviced early model (1957) Zorki4 like the one in your video from Oleg at OKVintagecameras.com .Body only but I have a very nice (black) Industar 61 LD on the way to put on it (or my Sony A7r) .The trouble is these old Zorkis look great and I am concerned that the black 61 LD will look out of place on it and again after watching your video on the best russian RF lenses I am looking to find a good Industar 22 (folding type) to really give the camera that steam punk look.Hard to find a good serviced one but I have plenty of time.Every time I watch your videos I get thinking – my wife tells me not to ha ha
Great comparison.I have a nice Kiev 4 on its way but i am falling in love with the Fed 2 .Is this a later model than the one with collapsible Elmar type lens
I just meter for the shadows and light. Usually one to two stops difference, then I pocket the meter, unless the lighting in the day changes.