maybe what he meant wasn't fake FSU RFs? but fake leicas modified from zorkis?
Former Soviet Union RF Users?
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maybe what he meant wasn't fake FSU RFs? but fake leicas modified from zorkis?
Ansel
Senior Member
I just picked up another FED 3b body ($8.00US, plus shipping), but the slow shutter speeds didn't work. I carefully removed the top plate, body shell, etc., used compressed air from the computer room to clean out loose "stuff" (I really don't want to know what it all is) and CAREFULLY dripped a drop of old-fashioned lighter fluid on each set of shutter gears (top, botton, left & right) and on the adjustment shaft. After putting everything back together I let it sit overnight and, lo and behold! every shutter speed works! After cleaning up the exterior metal and Mystery Covering (Really don't know what it is, but it resembles - sort of - rubberized nylon?), it looks and works great! Now, maybe I will need to repaint all the black enamel and brightwork. Dark Olive Green? Black? Dark Grey? We shall see!
BTW, just because these repairs worked for me doesn't mean they will work for you. If you REALLY want to try, use an old "junker" that won't be hurt any more than it already is
Bob Abel
BTW, just because these repairs worked for me doesn't mean they will work for you. If you REALLY want to try, use an old "junker" that won't be hurt any more than it already is
Bob Abel
windraider
Member
Current Russkie RF set up is a Fed 3b, Severdosk 4 light meter and the following 50mm lenses : Jupiter 8, I-61 Panda, I-61L/D & a collapsible Fed (came with a Fed 2 serves as its rear lens cap).
Love the contrast & resolution of the I-61s for color shots, but my fav is the compact set up using the collapsible lens for b&w outings. Collapsible tends to flare a bit for color shots, but gives quite a good "faded old-world-effect" and bokeh for portraits. The Jupiter 8 has a nicer out-of-focus effect, hence prefer it for portraits since I got it.
Previously owned a Kiev-4 & 4M with Universal viewfinder, Jupiter 8, Helios 103, Jupiter 9 & Jupiter 12. But found the whole set up a little fiddily and not that robust compared to the Fed. Additionally the interchangable focal lens and use of a seperate viewfinder made the set-up bulky & ungainly - negating the advantages of a RF system over my SLRs. Hence I sold it off and didn't replicate the set up with my Fed.
Also have a meterless Zenit 3b SLR with a Jupiter 9 & Helios-44, but seldom use it as I prefer to use Nipponise SLRs. However I do occassionally just use the lenses with adaptors on my X-700 when I'm in a retro mood.
Love the contrast & resolution of the I-61s for color shots, but my fav is the compact set up using the collapsible lens for b&w outings. Collapsible tends to flare a bit for color shots, but gives quite a good "faded old-world-effect" and bokeh for portraits. The Jupiter 8 has a nicer out-of-focus effect, hence prefer it for portraits since I got it.
Previously owned a Kiev-4 & 4M with Universal viewfinder, Jupiter 8, Helios 103, Jupiter 9 & Jupiter 12. But found the whole set up a little fiddily and not that robust compared to the Fed. Additionally the interchangable focal lens and use of a seperate viewfinder made the set-up bulky & ungainly - negating the advantages of a RF system over my SLRs. Hence I sold it off and didn't replicate the set up with my Fed.
Also have a meterless Zenit 3b SLR with a Jupiter 9 & Helios-44, but seldom use it as I prefer to use Nipponise SLRs. However I do occassionally just use the lenses with adaptors on my X-700 when I'm in a retro mood.
Damn!
I just bought ANOTHER FED 3! This one works much better than the others I have (Now have 3 FED 3's). It came with a Jupiter 8 (50mm/f2.0) that looks & feels great! Shutter is fine, all speeds work, are relatively accurate (OK for color negatives) and wind/rewind is delightfully smooth, for a FED. First batch of prints looked great, now I'm ready to really clean the exterior. I might even paint the chrome work & chipped black enamel in a "different" color. Any suggestions?
Bob
I just bought ANOTHER FED 3! This one works much better than the others I have (Now have 3 FED 3's). It came with a Jupiter 8 (50mm/f2.0) that looks & feels great! Shutter is fine, all speeds work, are relatively accurate (OK for color negatives) and wind/rewind is delightfully smooth, for a FED. First batch of prints looked great, now I'm ready to really clean the exterior. I might even paint the chrome work & chipped black enamel in a "different" color. Any suggestions?
Bob
toffeespin
New Member
Tested my first Iskra, the results were pretty good IMHO for a fifty year old equipment. Should I be thinking of getting a second one, or kick myself for going in circles thinking about getting more toys. The habit of ebaying is getting difficult to kick. How now?
alternatve
Senior Member
Bump!
Sorry for stealing this thread, but I was wondering if anyone is willing to part with a working zorki 4k (hopefully with a lens). I'm testing the waters of the RF world for now, so I don't want to splurge on something expensive. *cough*Leica*cough* Thanks
Sorry for stealing this thread, but I was wondering if anyone is willing to part with a working zorki 4k (hopefully with a lens). I'm testing the waters of the RF world for now, so I don't want to splurge on something expensive. *cough*Leica*cough* Thanks
On another track, does anyone know what happened to FZORKI'S site? Apparently he's moved with no forwarding address . . .
Following up, I just bought a "dead" FED 3 type 2 ($10 US) and had some fun with it. I took the thing apart, more or less, cleaned out the gunk & grunge and got the shutter to more or less work - 1/60 to 1/500 seems pretty close, but 1/30 - B are waaaaaaaaay off. Shutter curtains are ok, though, so I now have a semi-working camera. While apart, I removed the Chrome top & bottom covers, washed them with detergent a few times, finally rinsed them with rubbing alcohol and let the parts dry for a few days in a dust-proof place. Then they got 2 coats of Testor's Olive Drab spray enamel (from the spray can) and I dried the parts for @ 3 hours in a 95 degree C oven. After reassembly, it looks great! Next time, I will also paint the advance lever & assembly, shutter lock collar, shutter knob and rewind knob. Sorry I can't post pics, but I have no digital camera . . .
More FSR adventures to come.
Bob
Following up, I just bought a "dead" FED 3 type 2 ($10 US) and had some fun with it. I took the thing apart, more or less, cleaned out the gunk & grunge and got the shutter to more or less work - 1/60 to 1/500 seems pretty close, but 1/30 - B are waaaaaaaaay off. Shutter curtains are ok, though, so I now have a semi-working camera. While apart, I removed the Chrome top & bottom covers, washed them with detergent a few times, finally rinsed them with rubbing alcohol and let the parts dry for a few days in a dust-proof place. Then they got 2 coats of Testor's Olive Drab spray enamel (from the spray can) and I dried the parts for @ 3 hours in a 95 degree C oven. After reassembly, it looks great! Next time, I will also paint the advance lever & assembly, shutter lock collar, shutter knob and rewind knob. Sorry I can't post pics, but I have no digital camera . . .
More FSR adventures to come.
Bob
alternatve
Senior Member
Looks good, post some pictures of your creation when you can!
Me again, following up on this FED experiment. The paint is not holding up very well, chipping off at an alarming rate. Maybe I need to do some sort of sandblast (I know, it costs money & that goes against my grain, sort of). But the effect originally was pretty neat, I', looking forward to trying it again on another junker.
On another front, I've gotten a few lenses for my Praktica Super TL & I've been having fun with it, too. An odd one I picked up is a Jupiter 11 which was originally for a FED/Zorki. It was cut down to give the correct rear focus, generally cleaned up and 42mm threads machined. It's strictly manual, not pre-set, but I like the results I get. Cheap can be good. And fun, too!
Any news of FZORKI?
Bob
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