Fed 2 Soviet Rangefinder - Review
The Fed 2 was the first Soviet improvement on the pre-war Leica design, and makes a handsome addition to any analog rangefinder collection.
My images shot with the Fed 50mm f/3.5 collapsible lens: www.flickr.com/photos/1114285...
The sovietcams website mentioned in the video: sovietcams.com/index.html
Owners manual available here: www.butkus.org/chinon/russian...
Mike Eckman's review of the Fed 2, including extensive discussion of the history of the brand: www.mikeeckman.com/2019/12/fe...
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If you found this video worthwhile, please check out "Nikon Film Cameras, Which one is right for you?", an e-book on Amazon by yours truly. It's three dollars worth of knowledge, guaranteed.
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#Fed #Soviet #rangefinder
So I learnt something: FED is Dzerzhinsky's initials: Feliks Edmundovich Dzerzhinky; that is: F=Ф, E=Э, and D=Д: ФЭД.
Love mine.
Thank you for a good walkthrough on this great camera! Regarding the tripod mount you literally had the adaptor in your hand. It's the bottom screw for the ever ready case.
Lovely camera and nice Sheaffer Targa too!
I have traditionally had no interest in either rangefinders or Soviet cameras, but I watched the whole video because I respect your opinions and your content. Thanks!
Thank you for your support; much appreciated!
Great demonstration, thank you.
Glad it was helpful
Hey really love your content this is amazing. What is your preferred editing software you use for videomaking , I'd love to have a conversation and maybe even collaborate on different methods in telling stories through film!
None. Straight out of camera. I'm a total Luddite when it comes to videography. My graphic effects are a legal pad and sharpie marker.
@@BriansPhotoShow Haha that's what's up, that's actually pretty impressive
Adapters to change the 3/8" to 1/4" tripos socket are readily available on Ebay
Regarding the tripod mount threads: I only know of two sizes: 1/4" and 3/8" (yes, inches and not metric!). Throughout my cameras, regardless if russian, japanese or german make, only these two sizes appear. There are no special thread(s) for russian or japanese cameras ... ;)
Good video as usual Brian... FED 2 quite difficult to date even with serial numbers... My FED 2 is the old shutter speed style...it has delay action...and mushroom style wind on knob..minimal engraving...could be 1958 but not sure...??
Watching your video w/ great interest. Great job, as always in depth and thorough. Recently I picked up this exact model with a serial number 055180. From my research, the first digits were the year, so mine appears to be an early model from start of production. It has the Dzierzhinsky engravings on top and slip in/out lens. Mine is not quite well preserved, much patina on it and aperture seems stuck at f16. Other than that the shutter curtain cloth is in good shape and the times follow the numbers. I paid around 25USD for this camera here in Poland. FYI the person after whom this camera was named FED was Felix Dzerzhinsky, who organized the state security police of the soviet totalitarian regim after bolshevik revolution. He created the terror and killing machine and was commemorated as the patron of a camera factory.
I think that the fascinating history of the Soviet photographic industry is one of the reasons people collect these cameras.
Great video... As you mentioned die cast bodies which the FED 2 is one...I have my doubts as to whether the Leica ii was the same certainly the camera top and you can see this on a well worn example is what looks like a piece of pressed brass.. So would suggest this is a clue but I could be wrong Brian? Thanks for your time......
Nice video! A question that's maybe off topic... How do you consider this kind of camera (Fed, Zorkis...) in front of Japanese rangefinders like Yashica Minister? They are similar price, what's could be better? Thanks a lot!
In general, Japanese build quality is better. Having said that, a Soviet rangefinder which has been overhauled by a good technician is a good investment.
I have a Fed 2 and I love it!! I started using it this week, I noticed that the two images of the rangefinder spot don't come together when I focus.. :/ I'm using zone focusing, do you think it could work and I can do without the rangefinder? Thank you for your video, it was very interesting PS : I always store my camera with the shutter cocked 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ is it that bad? I'm not doing it anymore!! I've just taken a shot to release it!
Zone focusing works perfectly well on a FED 2. If the shutter and film advance are working properly, the camera can be used effectively with zone focusing.
@@BriansPhotoShow Thank you so much for your answer, the shutter and film advance do work properly :) My hopes about my pictures being in focus are much higher now , thanks again! 😊
Hi Brian, great videos...thanks. I have been using Fed 2's for a while but with the rigid lenses. Just received a collapsible Fed 50 lens almost identical to the one in your video. How do you actually focus the lens? I did manage to focus when I use the focussing knob, but it looks like the knob literally moves/turns the whole body of the lens. In other words, it seems like when using the focussing knob, one is actually threading the lens in and out of the body the camera slightly. Is that right? Is this really how focussing this lens works? Would be great to get a second opinion before I put some film through the camera with this lens mounted. I also don't want to pop the lens out accidentally while trying to focus. Thanks!
You should not be threading the lens in and out of the mount as you focus. Either you're not deploying the lens fully when you extend it, or it's just old and needs lubrication.
@@BriansPhotoShow Ok, thanks Brian
The FED factory was founded by the same Guy, who founded the Soviet secret police (NKVD).
Wheres the upload/streaming button cuz i didnt find an SD card port...?
what type of flash is compatible with this camera? would u have any links?
I'm afraid I've never used flash with a Soviet rangefinder. I wish I could be more helpful.
According to the serial number on this camera it was made in 1958
On the early FEDs, I don't believe that the serial number reflects the year of production.
@@BriansPhotoShow I didn't know that. All my Russian cameras and lenses have the year in the serial number. Even my Cosmic Symbol. I had a Fed 2 with the Industar 61 lens but sold it cheaply because the rangefinder was out of adjustment. My favourite is my 1981 Kiev 6c with the 90mm Vega 2.8 lens and the clever waist level finder.
The war ended in 1945, so enemy troop movement absolutely nothing to do with the production of the Fed 2 in 1955.