Rangefinder adjusting - FED5

[Carburo]

I've received today my new FED5b (25$)

Wow! Never used, new and in it's original package!
I wonder every time how it's possible to fall in love with these ugly-lovable cameras!

But... there's a problem (how unusual, you must say...).

The rangefinder seems to need some calibration: a very far and tall pole cannot be focused at infinity.
Focusing at inf. far objects does not overlap in the rangefinder.

Is it possible to adjust it myself? I have enough goodwill and some skill in mechanics, but I've never opened a rangefinder.

Can you help me?

Thanks!

[plexi]

here : http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/rfadjust/

http://homepage.mac.com/mattdenton/p...ras/fed_5.html

[Laika]

Originally posted by Carburo
I've received today my new FED5b (25$)

Wow! Never used, new and in it's original package!
I wonder every time how it's possible to fall in love with these ugly-lovable cameras!

But... there's a problem (how unusual, you must say...).

The rangefinder seems to need some calibration: a very far and tall pole cannot be focused at infinity.
Focusing at inf. far objects does not overlap in the rangefinder.

Is it possible to adjust it myself? I have enough goodwill and some skill in mechanics, but I've never opened a rangefinder.

Can you help me?

Thanks!

Carburo,

Setting up your FED5 rangefinder is a DIY thing, have a look at my FED2 service thread. Towards the end is info on RF adjustment (at the top of this forum). It’s very much the same as the FED2 except for getting at the components to adjust. The parts are behind the FED5 name plate above the lens mount. Hook your finger nail under the plate on the viewfinder side and flex it enough for it to pop out (but dont bend it), now you can access the vertical adjustment and the infinity screw. The pie shaped cam is accessed thru the lens mount should the close focus be off.

Good Shooting!

[pshinkaw]

There is an unsecured spring tensioning the nameplate. It is a flat spring, not a coil. It is at the "F" end of the "Fed". It sometimes jumps out and disappears in the carpetting when the plate is removed. When you remove the nameplate, hold the camera with the "F" at the lower end.

The screw under the nameplate only sets the infinity limiter on the rangefinder. It has to be used in conjunction with a homemade wrench which will turn the eccentric cam on the rangefinder coupler. Remove the lens and look inside, you will see what I mean.

The cam has to be turned until the minimum close focusing distance is correctly indicated on the lens scale. Only then is the infinity screw used to set the infinity. Then the process is repeated until the rangefinder shows correct focusing at both minimum and maximum distances.

Before you start working on the rangefinder, you might want to shoot a short test roll using the lens distance scale and a tape measure, say at 1 meter, 3 meters and 5 meters. Russian cameras frequently have incorrectly set flange to film plane distances. This requires some shimming of the lens mount to obtain correct focus. Rangefinder calibration is best done after that occurs.

Once everything is done, The Fed-5 functions very nicely.

-Paul

[fraley]

Thanks carburo, plexi, laika, & pshinkaw! I was feeling sad because my 'new' Fed was not focusing correctly. This thread helped me find the vertical adjustment and fix it up. Much better, thanks!

[joey]

Originally Posted by pshinkaw

There is an unsecured spring tensioning the nameplate. It is a flat spring, not a coil. It is at the "F" end of the "Fed". It sometimes jumps out and disappears in the carpetting when the plate is removed. When you remove the nameplate, hold the camera with the "F" at the lower end.

Hi, where precisely the flat spring should be placed when putting back the name plate on FED-5B? The plate is not secured no matter in which position I put the spring.

[darkkavenger]

about rangefinder service, i'll divert a bit from the topic, though I am willing to fix the vertical rf alignment of my fed-3. I've got one annoying problem : how to remove the top element of the film advance winder, it has two holes and I've no clue on how to unscrew it. Thanks in advance!
Max