On Mon, 25 Apr 2005 14:22:16 +0000 (UTC), Peter Irwin
wrote:

Roxy d'Urban wrote:
Anybody used these before? I have found a place that seems to be giving
them away for round $100.

$100 is a LOT for a Fed-2 unless it is some unusual variety.

It was made in Ukraine, not Russia. It could be called Soviet
or Ukrainian, but it isn't Russian.

Soviet rangefinders can actually be quite nice.
Older ones are often badly in need of a CLA, and
unless you are very handy, it is best to get one from
someone who does a CLA on the cameras he sells.

Oleg www.okvintagecamera.com currently lists a Fed-2
+ I26 lens for $20 + $12 shipping. That is a very reasonable
price given that a camera from Oleg is sure to be in good
working order.

I have many FEDs and I love them. The I-26 and early I-61 lens (all
white) are both sharp lenses.

When you get them make sure the range finder is on and about a quarter
of them off eBay have off RF's.

Another problem (with any of the old Leica types) is the shutter cloth
leaking. I have had only one bad one and it has both of the problems
you can get, a leak between the two sections of the cloth and the
cloth itself leaking light thru the weave. Take the back and lens off
and put the camera up to a light and then slowly wind the shutter to
test it.

the FED-2D is the classic and the best. It has 3 half balls on the
winder knob for quick ID. The only version of the FED-2 that has a
rapid wing arm is the FED-2e which is the FED-2D out in the FED-3B
body and marked FED-2.

Though the slowest speed is officialy 1/25th you can get a 4 second
exposure by setting it on B and then firing it from the self timer.

Most of the Ukraainian eBay dealers charge $14-15 dollars shipping,
$20 with an original box.

But there is a major problem... buy one and this desease called
FEDOLOGY gets you and you must have more and more till you have every
model!!! :-)

Cheers
THOM

Peter.
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