FED 28mm f4.5 focusing accuracy

[Dez]

I have recently bought, but have not yet received, one of these rather scarce lenses for my nice old FED-C. When I bought the camera, it came with both the 50mm f2 and 100mm f6.3 lenses, neither of which focuses quite right on a standard LTM body, but seem just fine on that particular FED-C. I know the focus mount wasn't standardized on these cameras, and I am wondering if I will have to fiddle the focus mount on the 28, or will its great depth of field make it unnecessary? It would be a chore to do, since I cannot get at the focal plane of the camera. I guess I could try to get it the same amount wrong as the others on a removable-back Canon, but that seems like a non-extraordinary bodge, so not in fitting with my motto.


Cheers,
Dez

[buzzardkid]

Dez,

it's a zone focus lens, it has no RF coupling. So as long as the focusing lever does not block the RF window, you'll be fine.

Had a lens like that, as well as a 50/2.0 and a 100/6.3. They were on a FED-S Komandirski with the 1/1000th shutter speed. Is that the camera you have?

[Dez]

Thanks! I thought it would probably not be a problem.

Yes it is for the early FED-C with the 1/1000 top shutter speed. It's an interesting camera, made in 1941, presumably just before the Germans broke down the door. It definitely lacks the light smooth touch of contemporary Leicas, but is really solid, and the chrome is exceptionally good. The most surprising thing is the leather neverready case- It is extremely well made, of good leather, and has an embossed picture of an elk on it!




I am on the road at the moment, and probably won't be able to put some film behind the new lens for a week or so, bit I'll see if I can post a couple pictures.

One more thing- almost all of the lenses I have ever seen in this prewar series have no paint in the focus and aperture engravings, which makes use difficult. Does anyone know why this would be the case?

Cheers,
Dez

[Dez]

I finally received the FED 28mm lens, and after a bit of cleaning and relubing, it's in great shape.

Interestingly, the lens does have a rangefinder cam, but it is not fixed to the focusing mount. It is held in place with a screw-down ring, and can be rotated to any orientation to the lens. It was a bit of a chore to get it set right. I suspect this slow lens has so much depth of field that it really does not matter.

I'll have to run some film through the camera to see how it does, or maybe if my LTM adaptor shows up, I can try putting it on my Micro 4/3 camera for a quick test. If the results are not too horrible, I'll post them.

Cheers,
Dez

[Dez]

Here is a picture of the lens with the rest of its family: now I need some taken with the lens.



Cheers,

Dez

[reagan]

That's just a pretty good looking kit. Well done.