First FED-2 photos and hiccups

[Mystyler]

I've just picked up my first lot of photos taken with my FED-2.
Now, let us face it this was a test roll with a new camera type and I make no claim to being skilled behind a camera, I wasn't expecting much but a few photos did surprise me. This camera and the Industar 50 really are quite capable performers!

Most of the photos were taken at f5.6 or thereabouts, some of the night time indoors photos were taken at f3.5. Most of the speeds would have been in the 1/125 to 1/250 with maybe one or two taken at 1/500. Exception being again, some of the low light shots taken at 1/30 and 1/60.

Out of 36 shots, I got back 24 "viewable". Here are some of the results, in the order that Flickr thought they should be in:


Rabbit Hole by Mystyler13, on Flickr


Don't Park Here by Mystyler13, on Flickr


The Fokker by Mystyler13, on Flickr


Dashing by Mystyler13, on Flickr


Light at the end? by Mystyler13, on Flickr


Windsock by Mystyler13, on Flickr


Caught! by Mystyler13, on Flickr


Ice Cream Bandit by Mystyler13, on Flickr

I've read the HOW TO thread on FED and Zorki curtain adjustment, but I'm still not entirely sure what I'm seeing here. There were also definately 36 shots taken, but some of them contained little to no information on the negatives. User error maybe, or related to the above results? Any advice would be great.

[Mystyler]

нет? I still have no idea.

[Dralowid]

If no one else replies I think you can safely say that the shutter requires work.

'Light at the end' and 'caught' are typical of the blinds overexposing in the middle of the frame by sticking or the slot changing size. 'The Fokker' is either the flap of your camera case or again a blind sticking...but at an angle (?) it suggests something to do with shutter ribbons.

Blank frames would imply no opening slot at all.

Take the lens off and work the shutter at each speed to see if operation is consistent. It probably isn't and you will need to go further.

[Pickett Wilson]

That shutter definitely needs attention. Working it some may help, but probably needs a CLA.

The Fed 2 has always been my favorite FSU camera.

[wolves3012]

"The Fokker" looks like something obscuring the lens - the case, edge of the window etc. Of the others, they all show the shutter not running evenly and smoothly. As Dralowid says, it needs work. Probably nothing beyond a CLA but it certainly looks to need that. It would be no shock to find a FED 2 that has not been serviced in its long life.

If you have access to a CRT computer monitor or TV (nowadays getting rarer, I know) try the CRT test. Using, if possible, a blank white raster on the screen, remove the camera lens and back and view the raster through the shutter, whilst firing it. At speeds of 1/60-1/500th you should see diagonal stripes of light and these should have parallel sides. If they taper at the top or bottom the curtains are running at different speeds. You may well be able to see other defects this way, rather obviously you'll see if there's no exposure. Also, try firing the shutter on "B" while looking through it. Again, it may be obvious that it doesn't run properly. There should be a kind of "clip-clop" sound to it as you press and release.

The next step is to decide if you want to tackle the work yourself or get a professional to do it. The FED 2 is a fairly simple camera but you'd need some basic tools, some confidence and to be comfortable working with small mechanical parts.

[Mystyler]

Thanks very much guys. I still can't explain what might be partially covering the lens in "The Fokker", but I'll try the CRT Test. Luckily I have a beautiful Philips CRT TV sitting in my Man Cave not doing a whole lot.