I had just bought my first rangefinder lens, an uncommon Japanese one from the fifties. The long wait until it would pass the German bureaucratic nightmare that is the Zollamt (customs office) had begun. Not 10 minutes had passed until I remembered reading about the Industar-61 L/D a few weeks previously. There was one for sale locally at a fraction of the price of what I had just spent.
About eighteen months ago, my (re)introduction to film was with an Olympus OMG – well it just had to be didn’t it! Since then I’ve acquired an OM-1 and OM-2n, a large collection of Zuiko lenses, some medium format stuff and some really old cameras.
This Fed 4 Rangefinder camera came into and out of my collection almost silently. My wife and I had travelled to Gloucestershire to visit family and took a walk into the lovely town of Nailsworth for lunch and a mooch. There are a number of up-cycle/charity shops there, which have now become places I visit looking for bargain books or camera gear… one day I’ll find that elusive, bargain Leica! 😉
A set of five images in Barcelona taken with a FED 5B camera with Industar 61 L/D on HP5+. The camera and lens were bought at a local flea market for less than the price of two rolls of film. Unfortunately, the shutter cloth is deteriorating and the faded and miscalibrated rangefinder patch is best …
5 Frames with a FED 5B with Industar 61 L/D by Mark Read More
Early experiences with Soviet cameras left a lasting impression. I have always wondered what I would think if I used these cameras again today, after more years of experience in using cameras of all types.
Recently I had the chance to find out, as I came across a Fed4 in a local secondhand store at a good price. It was in nice condition, with a clear lens, and in its original brown leather case.
