How To Use the Fed 4 Rangefinder - a Video Tutorial

[@emilymcfarlane2391]

This was extremely helpful! I got one of these cameras from my parents when they went to Poland, I managed to figure most out as a complete beginner to film photography however as the manual was in polish I started to struggle very quickly and all the tutorials I’ve found aren’t very useful, till I found this. thank you!

[@gooorylin]

Ms Emily - does Fed 4 rangefinder take good pictures? i asked,because i started to use from now,and i needed to ask someone,i come from Poland,but i speak english very well

[@brianmccutcheon3205]

I was so impressed with this video clip, I brought one and a Fed 3....and so begins another adventure....thank you very much

[@ОскарСагиров]

This was very helpful, I got one of these from my grandparents and I really don't want to mess it up, your video helped me a lot.

[@zenography7923]

I'm very glad it was useful! These are simple cameras, using essentially 30s technology; use them within their limits though and you'll make some fine images! Enjoy!

[@rjmatter]

Love my Fed 4. It's a beut, and a hoot to shoot! Shutter speeds must be accurate because I get beautiful exposures. The light meter works and is accurate, but I don't use it. Some of the rubber coating peeled away from my shutter curtain and I was getting pin-hole light leaks. I fixed this cheaply by purchasing a small bottle of latex textile paint ($5) and a small flat paint brush ($3) from my local art supply store (Blick's in the USA). I painted two coats on the curtain, allowing 24 hrs. for drying between coats. Good as new, with one proviso: Normally I store my cameras with the shutter released. But in the case of the Fed 4, I store it with the shutter cocked to avoid my painted area from being wound on the curtain spool and possibly sticking and peeling. It did that once. I applied two more coats and started storing it with the shutter cocked and no more problems. Oh and my Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5 lens ("Leica Thread Mount") works splendidly on my Fed 4. I also have a Fed 2 that I love. Love your videos, Zen!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video! Well done on the shutter repair - your Fed 4 lives to fight another day! I too very much like the Fed 2; it's very nicely made and very small, particularly with a collapsible lens fitted. The meter on the 4 makes it a bit more usable though, despite it adding quite a bit of height to the camera. We might call it soviet chic I suppose...

[@manebellamy]

Thanks so much for the video, just found a Fed 4 that belonged to my grandfather and will be giving it a try as my first rangefinder.

[@zenography7923]

Good luck!

[@josequijano77]

Thank you so much. I just received mine. I cant wait to use it... I had to watch this to familiarize myself with it. Im looking forward to working with this beauty... Your videos are perfect man. 🙌🏽🎯✌🏽

[@zenography7923]

Many thanks, hope you're enjoying the Fed!

[@sgit1]

Short, sweet, and with care in video focus for us. Thank you. I just bought one here in the States for $75 (all black with Jupiter 12 lens) based on your review in Kosmo Foto. Yes, I'm the one who blamed you for that purchase. 😎

[@KarrotSlayer]

Really helpful video. Nicely explained and presented. Just got my hands on one of these as my first rangefinder. Can't wait to use it. Ive noticed with mine the rangefinder second image is slightly lower when matching up and focusing is that normal and if not can it be fixed?

[@pippisunzena9089]

You are able to gift us this sort of feeling : the passion in any words of your videos talking about these kind of camera and lenses. Don't stop . Zeno ..can You advice me to buy Fed 26n ??

[@zenography7923]

Hi Pippi, thanks for your kind words; comments like this make my little project worthwhile! Do you mean the Industar 26 lens? If so, this is a very nice lens indeed; it's as good as the Industar 61, of which I'm a big fan! I have reviewed both of them in a previous video entitled 'Industar 50mm lenses' - might be worth a look. I would definitely recommend you to buy this lens!

[@pippisunzena9089]

Yup that one..i meant the industar 26 indeed. I did watch the video you are talking about ...and.. to be honest It pushed me to get Info on this Lens actually 😀. The only difference between your lens and what i'd love to buy Is the Age of manufacturing. I'm looking for the copy with Tab-ring...i believe It Is around 1950 c. Fed built good lenses ...i love the earliest . They are well made with quality materials brass and nickel. That's why im asking you about It. These are just a few pictures taken with my beloved Fed 5cm f/2 minoltage.weebly.com/fed-f2050mm.html. I don't want to be offensive if You send me your contact i will be glad to gift you a Lens .... something you Will appreciate . I Hope you Will review It in future . It Is always a pleasure listen your reviews ✌️

[@ricfootball]

03:40 Think this is obvious but just to confirm...You know when you say don't turn the shutter speed selector between 30 and 1 - does that mean in either direction? So if you are currently on 1 and want to change to 30, you do it by going through all the other speeds, past 1/500th, and past b to get to 30? And if you're currently on 30 and want to get to 1, you go past b, past 1/500th etc round to 1? I only ask because i'm assuming b stands for bulb? And if so, bulb could be longer than 30 so would make sense to be able to go from 1 second to 30 seconds to bulb but not from bulb to 1/500th and vice versa. Hope i've explained my question correctly...

[@zenography7923]

Hi, yes, don't turn between 1/30 and 1 in either direction. In fact, the control won't turn between these points anyway, but it's not unknown for people to try to force it, with predictable (unfortunate) results!

[@drtnrao57]

Thanks for the video. I purchased on 6th Feb. 2024.t is in dilapidated ,rusted but I want to renovate it by seeing your video.

[@srfurley]

There are two major versions of the FED 4. The one you have with the plastic nameplate and the raised metal area around the viewfinder and rangefinder windows and the meter cell is the later one, and looks similar to the FED 5. The earlier one has an all metal upper part with a front with a stamped and paint-filled name, more like the style of the later style FED 3. There are several differences between the two versions of the FED 4 but the most significant one is that the early one has a knob wind while the later one replaces it with a lever. The same change was made between the two major versions of the FED 3, and looking at all four cameras I think the early 4 probably came out before the late 3, so the 3 and 4 were both available at the same time, depending on whether you wanted a meter or not, rather like the Kiev 4 and 4A, or the Nikkormat FS and FT.

[@tonyhayes9827]

Great video. I have Zorki 5b olympic edition. Can you turn the shutter speed dial in either direction?

[@zenography7923]

After cocking the shutter, the speed control can be turned in either direction but there's a point where it will stop - never force it past this point though, to avoid damage.

[@tonyhayes9827]

@@zenography7923 Thanks!

[@naitsirkknarf3063]

Very good video. Just got one of these. Haven't tried it out yet but would like to see it work myself. The only visible problem I encountered was that the yellow hand on the light measure doesn't work. It is stick at the very top. I don't know how much of a problem it'll be if it is not functioning properly. Is there a way It can be fixed? Thanks for the tutorial and nice pictures, really makes me want to use this camera even more now.

[@zenography7923]

A camera technician could change it if you could supply a spare from an old camera - or perhaps a strategic tap might free up the needle? Otherwise, you could use an external meter.

[@bamy546]

I have one of these cameras and I love using it so far l, I did have an issue with a sticky shutter, but It seemed to just work its self out after maybe 100 uses of the shutter. I think the meter might be under sensitive, it doesn't look as perfect in the cell as yours. In general very happy with the camera and lens especially after lubrication of the helicoid to get it back to its best.

[@Kevon420]

How do I change the shutter speed? Do I press the shutter button first or just crank the advance lever? Is it normal that the marker for the shutter speed is different from when I cock it to after Ive press the shutter button?

[@zenography7923]

Sorry this is a late reply, but crank the advance lever first to avoid damage to the camera - never set the shutter speed without winding first! The shutter dial will indicate different speeds when cranked and not cranked - that's perfectly normal! Hope you're enjoying your Fed!

[@apothecreative7056]

Hello. I have the type a and it has a different setting to the one in your video. It’s full GOST with a top rating of 250. It has single small marks in between jumps to the next level. So it’s 65 - small red mark - then 130. Have you seen this type of metre reading before? Thanks.

[@jamesburke9853]

Very detailed review. Thank you..

[@iansmith2580]

I found this very easy to understand & just what I needed after Rec. the FED 4 from a friend to-day. Question: If Im using an Ilford hp5 400 plus film, what is the correct ASA setting? Thanks Ian

[@zenography7923]

Hi Ian, your film is rated at 400 ASA, so you should set your ASA to 400. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@leonjones7120]

The film type indicator of a circle within a circle is for B&W film.

[@zenography7923]

Ah, thanks!

[@garypocklington3396]

Having recently acquired a Fed 4 these are some of the issues that I found. The viewfinder is very small and not very bright. Focusing is a bit of a challenge. The film wind on and frame count are not very reliable. I seem to have an issue whereby the shutter button won’t release after winding the film on. These seems to occur towards the end of the film. The Industar lens focus ring is tight to the camera body. So, moving the focus ring is awkward. It is a cheap introduction to Rangefinder cameras but it also can be quite a frustrating one. That might not endear you to this type of camera?

[@LeendertCordemans]

Lovely tutorial. Well done.

[@haleycotton8023]

I just picked up a Fed 4 and I turned the shutter speed selector before advancing the film. How much damage may this have done doing it just a couple of times? Clearly I should have watched this before touching my new camera! Addtionally the shutter speed selector feels very loose, like it feels like it may not actually be selecting a shutter speed when I move it. It does reset after pressing the shutter release. I may just need to wait and see how the roll turns out, but does it sound normal for the shutter spped selector to be loose?

[@zenography7923]

The selector can be a bit loose on the Fed 4 - it doesn't matter too much, and a little play of this sort is nothing to worry about. Is the camera firing at the moment? Wind on, then turn the dial to B. At this setting the shutter should remain open as long as your finger is on the button. If B is working, try the other speeds. Do they sound about right? Chances are you won't have done any damage, but let me know how you get on.

[@haleycotton8023]

@@zenography7923 thanks for your quick reply! I should have looked more closely before posting, the loose part turned out to be the actual knob on top to the shutter speed selector. Fortunately I doubt any damage was done because it wasn't actually turning anything. Since the knob with the arrow just spins freely I don't know what it's currently set to so, to avoid breaking it or stripping the screws, I'll probably take it into my local camera repair shop to get checked out.

[@mateuszurbanczyk8614]

Thanks a lot!🎉

[@AKChannel_lol]

is it still possible to use 400 ISO film on the Fed 4? I'm aware that the ASA setting stops around 320, but can I still use it with 400 ISO film with external light sensors? Or does the Fed 4's shutter speed go out of range for 400 ISO film...

[@zenography7923]

I use mine regularly with the asa dial set as far as it will go past 320 - it works perfectly, you'll be fine.

[@Theodore-ox6no]

Thank you for this video I'm very glad I found your channel you create great content i just can't find anywhere else! But I do I have a small question, I want to get a small Russian rangefinder on the cheap I can't put into my pocket, which would you recommend?

[@Theodore-ox6no]

Sorry auto correct, *that I can put into my pocket

[@pippisunzena9089]

Zorki the first one . It got same sizes of Leica II

[@zenography7923]

@@Theodore-ox6no I agree with Pippi, Zorki 1 or Fed 1 with collapsible lens (Industar 22 or 50).

[@LeendertCordemans]

I think the unknown cirkel mark is B&W,. The others are colours. Near the shutter.

[@zenography7923]

Thanks for the info!

[@Doodenx]

the black fabric thing in the middle idk what its called is ruined on mine. can i do something about it or nah

[@zenography7923]

The black fabric thing is the shutter - it can be repaired but it's quite a tricky job and most likely would not be cheap. It might be better to just buy another.

[@Doodenx]

@@zenography7923 oh alright, thanks

[@gooorylin]

does fed 4 need covering the lens,during rewinding the film? i asked,because i am using fed 4 version of soviet camera

[@zenography7923]

No, you don't need to cover the lens during rewind, the shutter will keep all the light out.

[@gooorylin]

@@zenography7923 hmmmm - why was that mentioned? - probably to the lower version of Fed

[@gooorylin]

@@zenography7923 is Zorki 4 better than Fed 4 - i have asked you,because i am considering,to get zorki 4,yesterday i have taken pictures

[@gooorylin]

@@zenography7923 can you tell me,they mentioned that the lens of the fed rangefinder,must be covered,but you said that is not needed,but,it is to do probably with older versions of the rangefinder?

[@southernsoundpulse]

Nice narration!

[@zenography7923]

Thanks!

[@jamesal6138]

I'm thinking about getting one of these soon

[@zenography7923]

They're nice cameras, I think you'll enjoy it!

[@jamesal6138]

@@zenography7923 I've got one on the way, hopefully should be here either tomorrow or early next week

[@os4mike]

Just loaded my Fed 4A with EktaChrome E100 ready for the Easter Party 🎉 👍🙂

[@zenography7923]

I hope you got some nice shots!

[@laurencegoldman4639]

Your images look like they would be perfect for large format-4X5, 8X10 (classic posed portraits)

[@zenography7923]

Thank you!

[@drtnrao57]

I purchased Fed 4.

[@andrewwilkin1923]

Another great video, prefer the Fed 2. Bought a fed 4 recently but the light meter doesn't work, will need to investigate that.

[@zenography7923]

Hi Andrew, sorry you were unlucky with the Fed 4 - I've had quite a few of these over the years and have only once had a non working light meter. My solution was to take the meter from a camera with a jammed shutter and use that - if you've any experience with camera repair (I'm by no means an expert myself) you might try a similar approach?

[@andrewwilkin1923]

@@zenography7923 Need to clarify, prefer the fed 2 because it's not as tall as the fed 4. However the Fed 4 is fine to use it's just the light meter is not working. So will be taking the top off to see why.

[@zenography7923]

@@andrewwilkin1923 It could be something simple like a bad connection, or the selenium cell may have gone bad, in which case it will need a replacement. Good luck with the repair, let me know how you get on!

[@andrewwilkin1923]

@@zenography7923 So whipped the top off and checked the wiring with a meter. All read ok so assume its the cell gone. Found another issue with the front shutter curtain. Looks like the camera has been pointed at the sun without a lens cap as it's rippled and got 6 pin holes in the centre. So now looking for a wrecked fed 4 with a good cell and shutter curtains!

[@RobBob555]

Now I know, cheers

[@zenography7923]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michelk5]

I bought a Fed3 for 15 euros. Very nice camera, the rangefinder is a little bit off but i can estimate the distance. I wanted to unscrew the cold shoe to clean it like i did with other cameras.Never ever do that ! There is a retaining plate inside the camera with screw threads which will fall. I was unable to screw the cold shoe again. Too bad, but it does not affect the mecanism of the camera. I did not find any link on internet which explains how to dismount the top plate of this particular camera unfortunately. The camera should work anyway, i will try it soon.

[@zenography7923]

Ah yes, I too have made the cold shoe mistake and learned the hard way! Same with the Zorki 4/4K too. The top plate is easy enough to get off on the Fed 3, though from memory you will need a lens spanner with points to undo the advance lever. The rest of the fixing points are conventional screws, though some are tiny grub screws (on the speed selector for example) so you would need some good quality small screwdrivers. Don't screw the grub screws all the way out as they're very tricky to get back in - again, I learned the hard way!

[@paolopassiniimage4139]

Dov'è il telemetro?

[@zenography7923]

è sotto il coperchio superiore, integrato nel mirino.

[@drbrunoh]

Tenho uma para vender.

[@reaperburnout5694]

I have some pain with calculator on this camera,but 5 version Looks simple,but give me some ass pain

[@drtnrao57]

Thanks for the video. I purchased on 6th Feb. 2024.t is in dilapidated ,rusted but I want to renovate it by seeing your video.