FED 5 focus problem

[ferditulum]

Hello everyone! I have a problem with my soviet fed 5. It is in really good condition. Everything works smoothly. The problem is that the close distance images aren't sharp. There is like some layer on the negative. I tried with different scanning methods, but the result is same. The images on infinity are really really sharp. I adjusted the rangefinder and i am sure i focus correctly. I upload some images with problem.




What you think? There is a huge difference. Can it be a rangefinder problem or something with the lens?
Thank you

 

[foc]

It sounds like your rangerfinder is out.
To check this, put the camera onto a tripod. Set the lens ( I presume you have the Industar 61 lens fitted) at the closest focus, which is 1m. Look through the viewfinder and get someone to move back & forth until they are in focus according to the rangefinder. Ask the person not to move. Now measure, with a measuring tape, from the persons's face (near the eye) to the back of the Fed on the tripod.
If it is 1m then your camera is fine. If not then repeat at focus settings of say 1.5m, 2m, 3m.

You can also look here: omography.com/magazine/258535-fed-5-rangefinder-and-focus-adjustment#:~:text=Use%20the%20pliers%20to%20adjust,and%20adjust%20the%20camera%20accordingly.

Let us know how you get on, please.

 

[John Koehrer]

RF Adjustment is a compromise between near and distant focus. I the distant is good, it's still possible for close to be off.
A decent method for determining constant measurement for camera to subject is the knot in a string. Set up the tripod, tie a series of knots in the string at 1-1.5-2-2.5-5M, have your subject tape one end of the string at the film plane and the distance you want at their nose or cheek. This tells you the RF is good or out of adjustment.
meters and check the image with a ground glass if the image is sharp it's very possible to be a very slight adjustment of the RF
or that the infinity stop has somehow been moved.

 

[eli griggs]

Check to see if the small 'roller' in the top of the camera opening is running smoothly and completely, making good contact with the lens, this is what governs your focus as you twist the lens, to and fro.

If things are good there, look up online "How to collumnate a Fed Rangefinder", and follow those directions, as there are a good number of good videow to walk you through the process.

IMO, every Fed 'Leica' based camera need this basic step to, one inform you of how and what you should know about it, and two, train you so you can do the same thing for other cameras, including SLRs.

Good Luck, I hope this helps.

Good Health and Godspeed, to all,
Eli

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Most likely you didn't checked RF on minimal focus distance.
Use ground glass or substitute for it (frosted side on the opposite from you and focus on the target (black cross on white paper, dark room, light on the paper with this black cross) at minimal focus distance.