This video is great. I am a camera maniac and collector and FED 2 has been the one I loved using the most. I thought I had seen everything availeble on the internet about this camera model but this video has been a real discovery. It is super well made, the graphics are outstnding. Thankyou very much.
I’ve got a Zorki 4K (one of the last imported in France , 1976, I think. With some great DMZ/Jupiter Lens, all the panoply !). Not yet delivevered… Love these vintage russian photo apparat ! A part of my “Argentic Jeunesse”. Sorry, I’m french and old (64)… This message is just to tell you… Love your Vids, and also the music within. Laurent, from France.
This was by far the most informative, enjoyable and entertaining camera review/history lesson I've seen here. I recently picked up both a FED-2 and a Zenit-E, and was later delighted to discover that you happen to dedicate both your in-depth videos to exactly these two cameras. Thank you for sharing your immense knowledge. I'm curious to know why you chose to start with these two particular cameras first? You mention here that the Zorki-3 is less reliable. Why is that exactly? And in general, how are the Zorki rangefinders compared with the FEDs? Why is the Zorki-4 of a higher class, for example? Thank you once again, and I look forward to your next video. Oh, and you have fantastic taste in music. Love it.
Dear Tony! Many thanks for your kind words, I really appreciate it. Comments like yours inspire and encourage me. I want to make a series of videos about USSR cameras in style "nothing can be added". I started from "Zenit E" and "FED-2" as they are very popular among my buyers (this chanel is a promotion for my eBay store). Videos about also popular "Zorki" and "Kiev" cameras are on the way. No doubt, "Leningrad", "Kiev-10" or "Narciss" are more interesting from the technical point of view, but they are so rare. A couple of collectors will watch videos about them. "Zorki-3" is in fact the most unreliable camera within all "Zorki" family. "Zorki-1,-2,-C, -2C" were based on "FED-1" (and "Leica-II"), their production technology was brought to perfection and "there was nothing to be broken". "Zorki-3" was an upgrade of a very compilcated "Leica-3" and was a pioneer model for KMZ. Technology of production was just formed, camera had "child diseases" and resourse of "Z-3" was small. In addition it had 2 knobs for setting shutter speed (like the original "Leica-3") and it's VERY EASY to break it. So, only 87 thousand cameras were produced (compare with 1.715 thousand of "Zorki-4"). To my mind, it's incorrect to compare the whole "Zorki" line with "FED" line, there were successful (or not good) models in both families, but as a rule "Zorki" were more ambitious, comfortable and "user-friendly". "FED" plant preferred a strategy of small steps. "Zorki-4" has higher class than "FED-2" (they can be compared as they were produced simultaneously in period 1956-1970), because it had greater range of shutter speeds (1-1/1000 vs 1/30-1/500), much better viewfinder (bright and vivid), better ergonomics, better default lens ("Z-4" could have "Jupiter-8", 2/50). Thank you for the praise once again!
I have a Zorki-S camera. It's one of my favorite cameras I currently own, because it's just very light and small, therefore it's very easy to carry around 👍
Here is my new video, a story about "old-school" rangefinder FED-2. I will be happy for any feedback provided, and especially for subscriptions. What Soviet cameras must be reviewed else? Offer a topic for a new video.
Hi! I just wanted to thank you for such an interesting and well-researched video. I don't have a FED 2, but a FED 3 (the older version) and it's a really good-looking and fun camera. As far as suggestions go, I think it would be interesting to see a FED-Zorky comparison (or maybe their best models), a review of Kiev rangefinders or SLRs-I hear they are really good and have some cool models like Kiev-10... Also, I think a video on important Soviet photographers and/or their cameras would be really great, as would a video on professional Soviet cameras like Almaz. Honestly, whichever topic you choose for your next video, I'm sure it'll be great.
Hello Many thanks for your answer. As there was no comments, I started thinking that noone watched that video. I appreciate your advice. I was thinking about new video about "Zorki-4" or "Kiev" RF as they are very popular. SLR "Kiev-10" is very interesting, but rather rare and has unique mount, thus not wide spread. And my idea is to bring information to greater number of people. Thanks for the advice about Soviet photographers, I've never thought about such topic. These men really had a "saturated" life and a lot of interesting to be pictured. I will wait if someone else will be "pro" this topic. Thanks for your kind words.
I think a vid on 'Facts, Myths and Tips' about FSR cameras! ... the whole issue of 'variable quality' and which years were best and which years of manufacture buyers should be most cautious of... Then there's the long story of the why and whens of not changing the shutter speed before winding on - which of course *doesn't* actually effect all of the cameras (ie Zorkis 5 and 6 etc) and what happens and why... Lens interchangeability between FED, Zorki and Leica (and what to do)... etc! :)
Superb informative video. Found a later production Fed 2 today in a shop for a very good price and in what seems to be very good condition so brought it, really nice camera. Would like to get the Jupiter 8 lens for it
Fantastic video. The best and most knowledgeable video on Russian rangefinders on UA-cam. I love my Fed 2’s. But I think you seemed to recommend Zorki 4 in the end? I’d like to try that. I’m wondering if my Industrar lenses will work with Zorki 4?
Hello thank for your appreciation! Yes, lenses that work with "FED-2" are fully compatible with "Zorki-4". PS. Now I a mount a new film about "Zorki-4". Temporal name is "Zorki-4. The best USSR rangefinder?". That moves rather slowly as I am not a computer man. But I hope that video will answer why "Zorki-4" is considered to be of higher class than "FED-2".
Привет, Сергей! Большое тебе спасибо за отличное видео про фотоаппарат ФЭД 2! Я ещё не видел таких отличных видео на Ютубе про эту камеру! Целых 30 минут увлекательного видео с отличной музыкой, архивной хроникой и всеми типами этой модели! У меня у самого - синий ФЭД 2 1957 года без автоспуска. Специально искал и брал эту модель - синюю. Хочу собрать ещё красную и зелёную - они шли тоже для Фестиваля в Москве в 1957 году. Хотелось бы увидеть твой ролик про камеры Киев/Contax - их историю и типы тоже. У меня есть Киев 2 - 1948 года - из немецких частей, Киев 2 1955 года, Киев 2 А 1956 года. Старые Киевы - лучше сделаны , чем последующие. С меня лайк и подписка! На Ебее - у тебя почему то пустой магазин.. Хотел что то посмотреть и приобрести! И не нашёл тебя в соцсетях. Но День Рождения у тебя - 29 июля. Привет из Риги! С Уважением,
Добрый день! Спасибо за теплый отзыв! Да, цветные варианты очень стильные, но они, конечно, встречаются нечасто. Сейчас пишу сценарий ролика про "Зоркий-4", всё как положено, с раскадровкой, текстом, надписями и прочим, собираю иллюстративный материал. Так как это хобби, то продвигается, к сожалению, медленно. "Киевы", конечно, так и просят сделать на них обзор, но там сложный байонет; боюсь, моего английского не хватит, чтобы толково объяснить как работает такое крепление. А ведь хочется снимать видео так, чтоб вопросов после него не оставалось и добавить было нечего. На ebay временно прикрыл магазин, так как сейчас в России меняется платежная система этого маркетплейса, с Paypal на Payoneer. И, как любые серьезные изменения, сопровождается неувязками, недопониманиями и застрявшими деньгами. Хочу возобновить продажи, когда ситуация устаканится. Да, 29 июля) Соцсети в принципе недолюбливаю) Еще раз спасибо за комментарий!
@@russianphoto5869 Привет, Сергей! Спасибо большое за ответ! У меня - тоже есть Зоркий 4 - не из поздних - 1963 год - с ушками и с гравировкой диска выдержек. Потом уже стирались цифры - шелкография. Тоже выбирал и искал. Отличная камера! Ждём с нетерпением твой обзор! Сейчас снова буду пересматривать этот твой обзор на ФЭД 2! Зацепило! С Уважением,
Very interesting and comprehensive video. I have a handful of Fed-2 cameras and have enjoyed using them for years. All work except one, unlike Kiev cameras which for me are mostly inoperative. Sometimes simple is better.
Thank you for your comment. I can't agree with your opinion about "FED-2" reliability. I had hundreds of cameras passed through my hands and can declare that "FED-2" and "Kiev" ranfefinders have similar faultness (probably, "Kiev" is even a bit better). On the other hand, "Kiev" are much more difficult for repair. In my opinion, the most reliable USSR traditional rangefinder (I mean, not a semi-automatic like "Zorki-10") is "FED-5/5B/5C" family. Its shutter works always, but the curtains often get an abrasion area with light leakage.
I got few different Russian copies of Leica RF camera and I like the Fed 2 most, it is compact, simple construction and easy to operate, in comparison it is more reliable than new models such as the Fed 5, the shutter curtain easy to break after few use on new models but not the Fed 2 that keeps working year after year, a worthy investment if you are into film.
On FED 1 and FED 2 the letters next to the rewind levers are different. 2:52: FED 1 has cyrillic "B" (= latin V?), and 4:20 FED 2 has cyrillic "C and P". Can you tell what these letters stand for? Why are they different? Leica has the letter "R", "rückwärts" for return.
Thank you for that note. I notified in advance in the video that the classification is not universal, but usually we speak about first type (without anything), second type (with flash contact), third or classic or late type (with flash contact and self-timer) and FED-2L (in the body of FED-3). Within that types there can be changes (low or raised cold shoe, present or absent hinges for strap, with or without frames near the viewfinder). Then we can speak about subtypes. So, the main criteria for choosing the type is presence of flash contact and self-timer.
I wonder why they did not make the colored ones in bigger numbers. I guess coloring the vulcanite was not a big deal and painting the body not black was also only not so difficult, not even a logistic problem when done in a big number of copies at once. (Or they could let the body blac and only paint the vulcanite. As far as I remember they also did just that.)
privet! thank you so much for the video! however, i still don't quite understand about the focusing part 😂 i just got the camera recently, and i want to know how to make sure that the picture is sharp.. could you please explain a bit more? spasiba!
Hello There are only four films now. I am working now on video about "Kiev" rangefinder and this story is very compicated. I have to visit archives to trace the path of "Contax" equipment from Germany that was moved to Kiev. That infomation is not available online and my aim is to give all possible information. That takes a lot of time. Also, I started this channel as promotion for my online-store where I sell vintage photo equipment. Before 2022 I was selling at eBay, but after *something happened* eBay blocked all Russian users. Now I sell at Pinkoi, but the sales volume is frustrating. Thus it is very difficult to find necessary time for work on new film, because I must earn money in another way. If you want new video, please visit my store (the links are in the description). Maybe you will find something interesting.
I like the fed 3, and I think it's amazing how a whole industry could be based on so many clones, and sometimes really good ones
Another incredible documentation!
Thanks a lot for your work!
Seems completely all the essential technical information +historical summary all in one piece of content ! Just top tier production !
We must be listening to different audio.
This video is great. I am a camera maniac and collector and FED 2 has been the one I loved using the most. I thought I had seen everything availeble on the internet about this camera model but this video has been a real discovery. It is super well made, the graphics are outstnding. Thankyou very much.
Now I'm patiently waiting for your videos about Zorki and Kiev cameras ...
I’ve got a Zorki 4K (one of the last imported in France , 1976, I think. With some great DMZ/Jupiter Lens, all the panoply !). Not yet delivevered… Love these vintage russian photo apparat ! A part of my “Argentic Jeunesse”. Sorry, I’m french and old (64)… This message is just to tell you… Love your Vids, and also the music within. Laurent, from France.
Amazing video! I've learned so much from this one video than I have watching any other videos about the Fed-2 as well as Zorki.
Thank you for your kind words!
Great view finder and rangefinder on Fed 2
This was by far the most informative, enjoyable and entertaining camera review/history lesson I've seen here. I recently picked up both a FED-2 and a Zenit-E, and was later delighted to discover that you happen to dedicate both your in-depth videos to exactly these two cameras. Thank you for sharing your immense knowledge. I'm curious to know why you chose to start with these two particular cameras first?
You mention here that the Zorki-3 is less reliable. Why is that exactly? And in general, how are the Zorki rangefinders compared with the FEDs? Why is the Zorki-4 of a higher class, for example? Thank you once again, and I look forward to your next video. Oh, and you have fantastic taste in music. Love it.
Dear Tony! Many thanks for your kind words, I really appreciate it. Comments like yours inspire and encourage me.
I want to make a series of videos about USSR cameras in style "nothing can be added". I started from "Zenit E" and "FED-2" as they are very popular among my buyers (this chanel is a promotion for my eBay store). Videos about also popular "Zorki" and "Kiev" cameras are on the way. No doubt, "Leningrad", "Kiev-10" or "Narciss" are more interesting from the technical point of view, but they are so rare. A couple of collectors will watch videos about them.
"Zorki-3" is in fact the most unreliable camera within all "Zorki" family. "Zorki-1,-2,-C, -2C" were based on "FED-1" (and "Leica-II"), their production technology was brought to perfection and "there was nothing to be broken". "Zorki-3" was an upgrade of a very compilcated "Leica-3" and was a pioneer model for KMZ. Technology of production was just formed, camera had "child diseases" and resourse of "Z-3" was small. In addition it had 2 knobs for setting shutter speed (like the original "Leica-3") and it's VERY EASY to break it. So, only 87 thousand cameras were produced (compare with 1.715 thousand of "Zorki-4").
To my mind, it's incorrect to compare the whole "Zorki" line with "FED" line, there were successful (or not good) models in both families, but as a rule "Zorki" were more ambitious, comfortable and "user-friendly". "FED" plant preferred a strategy of small steps.
"Zorki-4" has higher class than "FED-2" (they can be compared as they were produced simultaneously in period 1956-1970), because it had greater range of shutter speeds (1-1/1000 vs 1/30-1/500), much better viewfinder (bright and vivid), better ergonomics, better default lens ("Z-4" could have "Jupiter-8", 2/50).
Thank you for the praise once again!
A really good video and review which deserves a lot more views and likes - many thanks!
PS - did I miss the link to your website?? I *love* Russian / FSR technology - always looking for new places to browse and potentially buy.
Thank you for your kind words!
It's not website, it's just a store at eBay.
www.ebay.com/usr/mee7r4 , then "Items for sale"
@@russianphoto5869 I'm looking for a FED1 with a fed industar 22 (and maybe *another* FED 2 ;) )
FED, FED-2, Industar-22 are almost always available for sale in my store, in different conditions, modifications and various prices.
Good presentation. Thank you. I now know which Fed to go after
I have a Zorki-S camera. It's one of my favorite cameras I currently own, because it's just very light and small, therefore it's very easy to carry around 👍
Here is my new video, a story about "old-school" rangefinder FED-2.
I will be happy for any feedback provided, and especially for subscriptions.
What Soviet cameras must be reviewed else? Offer a topic for a new video.
Hi!
I just wanted to thank you for such an interesting and well-researched video. I don't have a FED 2, but a FED 3 (the older version) and it's a really good-looking and fun camera.
As far as suggestions go, I think it would be interesting to see a FED-Zorky comparison (or maybe their best models), a review of Kiev rangefinders or SLRs-I hear they are really good and have some cool models like Kiev-10... Also, I think a video on important Soviet photographers and/or their cameras would be really great, as would a video on professional Soviet cameras like Almaz.
Honestly, whichever topic you choose for your next video, I'm sure it'll be great.
Hello
Many thanks for your answer. As there was no comments, I started thinking that noone watched that video.
I appreciate your advice. I was thinking about new video about "Zorki-4" or "Kiev" RF as they are very popular. SLR "Kiev-10" is very interesting, but rather rare and has unique mount, thus not wide spread. And my idea is to bring information to greater number of people.
Thanks for the advice about Soviet photographers, I've never thought about such topic. These men really had a "saturated" life and a lot of interesting to be pictured. I will wait if someone else will be "pro" this topic.
Thanks for your kind words.
@@russianphoto5869 I understand. Yes, those rangefinders are really popular so they would be a good idea. Looking forward to your next video.
@@russianphoto5869 I would also be interested to learn about some of the famous Soviet photographers who used these cameras.
I think a vid on 'Facts, Myths and Tips' about FSR cameras! ... the whole issue of 'variable quality' and which years were best and which years of manufacture buyers should be most cautious of... Then there's the long story of the why and whens of not changing the shutter speed before winding on - which of course *doesn't* actually effect all of the cameras (ie Zorkis 5 and 6 etc) and what happens and why... Lens interchangeability between FED, Zorki and Leica (and what to do)... etc! :)
Love my Fed-2's. I bought a Zorki-6 which is very similar.
Superb informative video. Found a later production Fed 2 today in a shop for a very good price and in what seems to be very good condition so brought it, really nice camera. Would like to get the Jupiter 8 lens for it
Very Awesome Video, Thank You!!!
Thank you for your evaluation!
Fantastic video. The best and most knowledgeable video on Russian rangefinders on UA-cam. I love my Fed 2’s. But I think you seemed to recommend Zorki 4 in the end? I’d like to try that. I’m wondering if my Industrar lenses will work with Zorki 4?
Hello
thank for your appreciation! Yes, lenses that work with "FED-2" are fully compatible with "Zorki-4".
PS. Now I a mount a new film about "Zorki-4". Temporal name is "Zorki-4. The best USSR rangefinder?". That moves rather slowly as I am not a computer man. But I hope that video will answer why "Zorki-4" is considered to be of higher class than "FED-2".
Fantastic and very interesting video. Great job. Thank you!
Привет, Сергей! Большое тебе спасибо за отличное видео про фотоаппарат ФЭД 2! Я ещё не видел таких отличных видео на Ютубе про эту камеру! Целых 30 минут увлекательного видео с отличной музыкой, архивной хроникой и всеми типами этой модели!
У меня у самого - синий ФЭД 2 1957 года без автоспуска. Специально искал и брал эту модель - синюю. Хочу собрать ещё красную и зелёную - они шли тоже для Фестиваля в Москве в 1957 году.
Хотелось бы увидеть твой ролик про камеры Киев/Contax - их историю и типы тоже.
У меня есть Киев 2 - 1948 года - из немецких частей, Киев 2 1955 года, Киев 2 А 1956 года.
Старые Киевы - лучше сделаны , чем последующие.
С меня лайк и подписка!
На Ебее - у тебя почему то пустой магазин..
Хотел что то посмотреть и приобрести!
И не нашёл тебя в соцсетях.
Но День Рождения у тебя - 29 июля.
Привет из Риги!
С Уважением,
Добрый день!
Спасибо за теплый отзыв!
Да, цветные варианты очень стильные, но они, конечно, встречаются нечасто.
Сейчас пишу сценарий ролика про "Зоркий-4", всё как положено, с раскадровкой, текстом, надписями и прочим, собираю иллюстративный материал. Так как это хобби, то продвигается, к сожалению, медленно.
"Киевы", конечно, так и просят сделать на них обзор, но там сложный байонет; боюсь, моего английского не хватит, чтобы толково объяснить как работает такое крепление. А ведь хочется снимать видео так, чтоб вопросов после него не оставалось и добавить было нечего.
На ebay временно прикрыл магазин, так как сейчас в России меняется платежная система этого маркетплейса, с Paypal на Payoneer. И, как любые серьезные изменения, сопровождается неувязками, недопониманиями и застрявшими деньгами. Хочу возобновить продажи, когда ситуация устаканится.
Да, 29 июля) Соцсети в принципе недолюбливаю)
Еще раз спасибо за комментарий!
@@russianphoto5869 Привет, Сергей! Спасибо большое за ответ!
У меня - тоже есть Зоркий 4 - не из поздних - 1963 год - с ушками и с гравировкой диска выдержек. Потом уже стирались цифры - шелкография.
Тоже выбирал и искал.
Отличная камера!
Ждём с нетерпением твой обзор!
Сейчас снова буду пересматривать этот твой обзор на ФЭД 2! Зацепило!
С Уважением,
Fantastic and very informative! I have the FED-2
Very interesting and comprehensive video. I have a handful of Fed-2 cameras and have enjoyed using them for years. All work except one, unlike Kiev cameras which for me are mostly inoperative. Sometimes simple is better.
Thank you for your comment.
I can't agree with your opinion about "FED-2" reliability. I had hundreds of cameras passed through my hands and can declare that "FED-2" and "Kiev" ranfefinders have similar faultness (probably, "Kiev" is even a bit better). On the other hand, "Kiev" are much more difficult for repair.
In my opinion, the most reliable USSR traditional rangefinder (I mean, not a semi-automatic like "Zorki-10") is "FED-5/5B/5C" family. Its shutter works always, but the curtains often get an abrasion area with light leakage.
Very professional presentation!
Very interesting. Thank you for all the information. I plan on buying a FED-2.
Awesome video,
Great video. Very well explained and informative
Thanks!
Great in depth video!
I got few different Russian copies of Leica RF camera and I like the Fed 2 most, it is compact, simple construction and easy to operate, in comparison it is more reliable than new models such as the Fed 5, the shutter curtain easy to break after few use on new models but not the Fed 2 that keeps working year after year, a worthy investment if you are into film.
Very interesting, I learned a lot, thank you!
really well done video. Thank you!
Great lesson!
Great video!
Thank you for this good video, very informative
Awesome! Great video! Keep it up!
Great video!!! Thanks!
On FED 1 and FED 2 the letters next to the rewind levers are different.
2:52: FED 1 has cyrillic "B" (= latin V?), and 4:20 FED 2 has cyrillic "C and P".
Can you tell what these letters stand for? Why are they different?
Leica has the letter "R", "rückwärts" for return.
Vous êtes un historien !!!
The FED2 you used for the detailed presentation has all the elements of the latest type but still the cold shoe is not raised.
Thank you for that note. I notified in advance in the video that the classification is not universal, but usually we speak about first type (without anything), second type (with flash contact), third or classic or late type (with flash contact and self-timer) and FED-2L (in the body of FED-3).
Within that types there can be changes (low or raised cold shoe, present or absent hinges for strap, with or without frames near the viewfinder). Then we can speak about subtypes.
So, the main criteria for choosing the type is presence of flash contact and self-timer.
I wonder why they did not make the colored ones in bigger numbers. I guess coloring the vulcanite was not a big deal and painting the body not black was also only not so difficult, not even a logistic problem when done in a big number of copies at once. (Or they could let the body blac and only paint the vulcanite. As far as I remember they also did just that.)
privet! thank you so much for the video! however, i still don't quite understand about the focusing part 😂 i just got the camera recently, and i want to know how to make sure that the picture is sharp..
could you please explain a bit more? spasiba!
Where canni find the rest of your videos?
Hello
There are only four films now. I am working now on video about "Kiev" rangefinder and this story is very compicated. I have to visit archives to trace the path of "Contax" equipment from Germany that was moved to Kiev. That infomation is not available online and my aim is to give all possible information. That takes a lot of time.
Also, I started this channel as promotion for my online-store where I sell vintage photo equipment. Before 2022 I was selling at eBay, but after *something happened* eBay blocked all Russian users. Now I sell at Pinkoi, but the sales volume is frustrating.
Thus it is very difficult to find necessary time for work on new film, because I must earn money in another way.
If you want new video, please visit my store (the links are in the description). Maybe you will find something interesting.
@@russianphoto5869 sweet! I can't wait for the next video! I'll definitely take a look at your shop
Makarenko brought many teenage criminals back to normal life.