FED-2 question

[Slowslow]

Hi, new to the forum. Please be gentle!

Shot a test roll with a FED-2, love the feel of the camera but there was a problem, there are skewed vertical lines and extensive patterning (the example is a third of a photo, so the lines go from top to bottom, slightly around the exposed area, but not to the edges of the negative).

I'm guessing this has to do with the cloth shutter? Is the fabric done (looks ok, but I'm beginning to imagine I see similar skewed lines in it), or could this be something else (shutter speeds seem ok too)?

The film was Lomography b&w 400 (cheap, wouldn't mind if it took the blame) and processing was done by a (good) professional photo lab. Lenses were Jupiter-8 and Industar-26m (changed once, same problems can be seen in photos taken with both).

Thanks!

 

[darkosaric]

Hi,
Welcome to APUG !

All older cameras are lottery: often you get problems - I am almost positive it is a cloth shutter light leak. Best would be to get newer M39 camera (Bessa or Leica), keep the lenses - they are good.
For me are all FSU cameras are "no go" - had too many problems (many here will differ in opinion), but lenses are very good.

 

[OptiKen]

I have a definite 'love-hate' relationship with FSU cameras. As soon as I totally familiarize myself with one and begin taking some nice shots with it, something either breaks or it begins to exercise arbitrariness.
FSU cameras would be a lot more fun to use if they were anywhere near reliable, however, my Zorki and my FED-1 are still doing well

 

[Gerald C Koch]

To see if it is a hole(s) in the curtain do the following. Remove the lens and open the back. In a dark room using a small (pencil type) flashlight place the flashlight where the lens would be. Can you see any light leaks in the curtain? Since there are two sets of curtains. You must do this with the shutter cocked and also with it released. Small pinholes can be repaired with a dot of flat black paint. In the US there is Testors used for model building. Check with a hobby store. You will also need a very fine brush. Allow the paint to dry for a couple of days before exercising the shutter. Apply the paint ONLY to the hole and use sparingly. If there are a number of pinholes then the curtains must be replaced.

With cloth focal plane shutters remember to keep the lens cap on when not using the camera. Do not point the camera at the sun. A couple of seconds in sunlight can cause these holes. The lens images the sun on the cloth causing a burn. Old age drying out the rubberized curtain can also cause the condition.

 

[kb244]

I'm with Gerald, with the cloth focal plane shutter, a tiny needlepoint leak in the curtain could be enough to cause a light leak onto the film in certain patterns but not enough to completely expose the film.

In regards to the Fed 2 (I have a 2A, a model or so after the prototype version), They feel really nice, but the rangefinder is... tiny. (but I also have a Canon 7, and used to have a P, so my standards of a good rangefinder clarity is higher). I just wish my Fed2 had an X-sync, and a self timer. (though I have a Kopil self timer).