Another Fed 2

<p>I've always been fascinated with old Russian cameras Circa 1950-1980. Being a child of the cold war, these seemed exotic, and even contraband in the USA. I've had the Kiev 60, Moskva 5, and 2 or 3 Kiev 4 35mm cameras. However the Fed 2 may be my favorite "FSU" camera. I owned a late model Leica IIIF in my 20's and loved it. The Fed 2 reminds me of that camera. I found my last roll of Kodak Plus-X film in the Freezer earlier this month. So I loaded up the Fed 2 and took a lunch hour trip to downtown St. Louis, Missouri.</p><div></div>

<p>I set out to City Garden Sculpture park. We've been enjoying unusually warm weather this winter. Here is a view looking East toward the River. The famouse Arch is framed by an organic sculpture.</p>

<p>Uploading a decent image to Photo.net to display inline is troublesome. Sadly this is why I rarely post here anymore. Here is the re-sized image which was supposed to display in the comment above.</p><div></div>

<p>There is a sculpture of a large Empty Pink suit. In color the pink makes it whimsical. But I like the B&W tones Plus-X created. To me it symbolizes the empty corporate concept of greed which has wrecked 1st world economies. But then again I philosophize too much sometimes.</p><div></div>

<p>A Small light rangefinder really encourages you to see things. Once you get used to it, the Fed is a pretty intuitive camera. This visitor walked and paused in the sculpture. I quickly raised the Fed 2, focused and CLICKED the shutter. </p><div></div>

<p>Shortly my girlfriend joined me in City Garden. She works as a Paralegal near there so it's an easy stroll. She liked the weird old camera and was in a good mood, so she obliged my request to pose. Forgot my light meter, so all of these exposures were "Sunny 16". </p><div></div>

<p>FED-2 is cool. But my example of its lens in not impressive at all. The loading of this camera is very convenient.</p>

<p>Lovely compositions! I like that lens, though it is a bit difficult handle while setting the stops. I have accumulated several Feds now, by renewing old junks; becoming an inadvertent collector. As you mentioned, it is one of the smoothest cameras, when lubricated well. Thanks, encore! sp.</p>

<p>The sun was playing Peek-A-Boo. Photographing these glass spheres, I saw the shadows of tree branches create an Electric-like pattern. I knew that Plus-X would deepen these shadows and the effect. Sad that Plus-X is now discontinued. Makes me wish I had shot more of it.</p><div></div>

<p>Thanks Subbarayan! Your recent FED 2 restoration inspired me to get mine out. The serial # on the body is 728870. Does that mean it was made in 1972? I didn't think they were still making the FED 2 that late. Anyway here is probably my favorite shot. It was a bit precarious to stand on this ledge, but I think it really shows how good the Industar 22 is! Shooting that day made me feel very "Bauhaus" chasing the shadows and forms of modern skyscrapers and sculptures.</p><div></div>

<p>One more to show the Industar 22 is no slouch shooting wide open. I walked Michelle back to her office, and we stopped inside the 110 year old Laclede Gas Works building. There were some old sculptures inside with spotlights on them. ISO 125 is not great for lowlight, but using a rangefinder really helps with slow shutter speeds. The entire roll was developed for 12 minutes in Rodinal 1:50 dilution.</p><div></div>

<p>St. Louis has a lot of Modern architecture, but the buildings I treasure were built between 1920 and 1940. Parts of the City have a Classic Film Noir feel to them. Lots of shadows, shady Hotels, and steep angles. This scene had a lot of mysterious Atmosphere.</p>

<p>"502 Bad Gateway" seems like a poor title for this photo.... wish it were easier to upload to Photo.net</p><div></div>

<p>A very nice set of photos. I particularly like your Bauhaus Shadows shot, and the film noir buildings. "Hotel" in the middle is perfect.</p>

<p>Russ, I like these shots a lot, my favorite being paused. That have a noir feel about them, and offer peace in a strange way. Well done. I recently acquainted myself with i-22 and thought that it was quite good, but prone to flare. A hood is a must for the little telescopic beast. Once again, well done.</p>

<p>Very nice set of photos! I love Bauhaus Shadows and Tesla Spheres. I don't own any Russian cameras, but a Fed 2 with Industar 22 has been on my wish list for a while. I'll have to get one sometime soon. Great images.</p>

<p>Definitely a retro feel; they had to be in B&W, and they work really well. The Spheres and the Bahaus Shadows are great images. Nice quality from the little Industar. An interesting and informative post post, <strong>Russ</strong>; many thanks.</p>

<p>I think Paused is a good decisive moment, also Art Noveau Sculptures has good lighting.<br>

I lubricated the shutter of my FED-2 with WD-40 when the second curtain got stuck,only on the 1/60 speed,OK now.<br>

Fine shots <strong>Russ</strong>, thanks for posting.</p>

<p>Swell work with it. Thanks indeed for posting. That looks like a good copy of the lens.</p>

<p>I have a nice red covered FED-2, but I still prefer my Kievs - In the 30s, I would have been a Contax shooter, I guess.</p>

<p>HEy Russ.. long time!! Excellent shooting! I loved all of the pics. I used to shoot Plus X exclusively back in the 80s. Now I buy what'S cheap and accesible. I liked the balance of tones you'Ve acheived. I can't now name the exposures but the first one was realyl good and I liked the low light, the shadows with balls I liked the ambience of the buildings..ie Spillane etc! The Industar can be incredible as you've shown us!! One day I will have a Leica copy too!! </p>

 

<p>Thanks gentlemen. JDM wrote; "That looks like a good copy of the lens.". Indeed it is! However you wouldn't know that by looking at it. There is actually a chip at the edge of one of the elements. And it won't stay put when retracted. A bit of scratches on the glass too. As with most things FSU, the stuff that looks dog-eared is the best, and the clean looking stuff was assembled badly.<br>

I love the Kiev 4 too. The Helios 103 lens is superb. But I could never quite get used to the "Contax Hold". </p>

<p>Dear Russ,<br>

According to "Soviet Cams" ,( www.sovietcams.com/index.php?1073674902 ), your camera it's from year 1957 or 1958 and it would be<br>

Type C 2. Serial number range: # 560.000 - # 865.000.</p>

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