Lugging my lugless FED3b

Rodinal Addict · 08-20-2004

Greetings Comrades!

I'm now the proud owner of a Fed 3b, I think I've gotten a good one. I've ran two rolls through so far, everything seems to be accurate, even the slow speeds, promoting it to my favorite, after my FED 2.
Funny story about this though:
I won it on Ebzy, the ad detailed serial numbers for both the camera body and lens, and said that the lens had no fungus. The camera I received was a different serial number, as was the lens. The lens also had fungus. When I mentioned these "oversights" to the seller, she offered to refund my shipping cost, and send me a new lens. I agreed, and she sent me a "new" lens, complete with fungus.
Anyway, I digress. How can I mount carrying strap lugs to my killer new Fed 3? Has anyone done this? It seems awful tight inside the body where lugs would go, leaving little room for a screw head inside.

rovnguy · 08-20-2004

I will not deal with e**y anymore because of very similar problems.

Doug · 08-20-2004

You may be better off using the leather "ready" case. If the case front/top is riveted to the body half-case, the rivets can be replaced with snaps at a local leather shop.

Wonder what more you can get out of your moldy seller if you ask, yet another lens, but without fungus this time?

Laika · 08-21-2004

As Doug mentioned the leather case modified with the top removed is a good way to go. It’s how I use my late FED2 (same body as FED3) shown here. I think most of the Soviet bodies (and some leicas?) have the lugs riveted from the inside, I'm sure you can fit them to a FED3 but the only lugs I've seen are at micro-tools for leica repairs... $28 strap lugs is a bit much for a FED upgrade IMO. But I am looking for a cheaper option for my next custom FED project.

RML · 08-21-2004

Laika, just wondering... where did you get the new leather for that FED2? Did you order it pre-cut, or did you do some home craft on your wife's favourite leather bag?

Laika · 08-21-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by RML
Laika, just wondering... where did you get the new leather for that FED2? Did you order it pre-cut, or did you do some home craft on your wife's favourite leather bag?

That one was a precut set from www.cameraleather.com ... real cobra skin

RML · 08-21-2004

Ah, yes. I checked it before posting my question but I only checked the list on the first page. I just checked the complete list... wow, that's a long list!

Rodinal Addict · 08-21-2004

Ya know, my Dad is a machinist, He could make a lug to fit. What do these " rivet in" lugs look like on the rivet end? This would give me a chance to swing a hammer at my cool new camera. Maybe I could install two lugs on one end of the camera, let it hang vertically from a strap. Hmmm

Laika · 08-21-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Rodinal Addict
Ya know, my Dad is a machinist, He could make a lug to fit. What do these " rivet in" lugs look like on the rivet end? This would give me a chance to swing a hammer at my cool new camera. Maybe I could install two lugs on one end of the camera, let it hang vertically from a strap. Hmmm

Well it should be a piece of cake for your Dad to make. Here is what they look like from the outside (two on the left) and inside of the body (right image) on a FED2.