Help in cleaning an old FED-2

[radar]

Hi,

I managed to find an old FED-2 camera that my father-in-law bought back in the 50's. It is basically a Soviet Leica III copy. It is a really great little rangefinder. All aspects of it seem to work. I haven't figured out how to remove the lens yet but I'll keep looking. Mine looks very similar to this one:

http://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/fed-2.html

but it does have a self timer like this one. That's the little lever on the front that the one above doesn't have:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FED2.jpg

The lens is all metal but over the years it has tarnished. Not sure what would be safe to use to clean it, so any suggestions appreciated.

I also have the leather case for it. I know there is an old light meter that he used to make use of, will have to find it in the boxes somewhere.

Thanks,

André

[gstark]

Hi André,

Nice.

I haven't figured out how to remove the lens yet but I'll keep looking.

It's probably a screw mount, so just try to unscrew it, firmly but gently.

[phillipb]

Hi Andre`,
Gary is right, they are screw mount, I have one of those, to take the lens off you first have to turn the lever clockwise until it locks then turn anticlockwise. and it should unscrew.

Edit: I just had another look at the photos, I think you have the later model without the lever on the lens, in which case you should just be able to unscrew it.

[radar]

Thanks Gary and Phillip,

the lens does have the knob on it. I was able to unscrew the lens as described and was able to see that there isn't any fungus or dust that I can see. So the cleaning required is mostly on the outside.

So I'll clean things up and will try it out with some b&w film. I'll get some actual photos of the camera and post it on the forums later on.

thanks,

André

[surenj]

All aspects of it seem to work.

Nice one! Give us some pics pls.

[PiroStitch]

Awesome! Looking forward to seeing the photos from the camera.