FSU Rangefinder Lens and Body Choices

A picture of the two FSU solutions giving me 35mm and 50mm focal lengths:

I have accumulated a number of different FSU bodies and lenses including:

Bodies:

• FED 2
• FED 3
• FED 5
• Zorki 4K

Lenses:

• Industar-26 50mm f/2.8
• Industar-61 50mm f/2.8
• Industar-61 L/D 50mm f/2.8
• Jupiter-8 50mm f/2
• Jupiter-12 35mm f/2.8

Based on the bodies and lenses I have to choose from, I want a 50mm (Jupiter-8) and 35mm (Jupiter-12) solution and due to the sensitivity of the rangefinder mechanics I don’t really want to be changing lenses all the time. My favourite bodies are the FED 2 and 3 and so I decided on the following set ups:

FED 2 + Jupiter-8 (50mm)
This lens has the widest aperture (f/2) and therefore focus will be critical. The FED 2 has a wider rangefinder base and therefore focussing should be more accurate. I put the Jupiter-8 onto the FED 2 and checked the focus accuracy against a tape measure and it is pretty much perfect without any adjustment!

FED 3 + Jupiter-12 (35mm)
I’ll probably want to use this lens the most as I prefer a wide focal length. The FED 3 body is probably my favourite – it’s got the film advance lever, it’s smooth, a nice shape, has a good range of shutter speeds 1s to 1/500s and it has (by far) the brightest rangefinder spot – it’s so easy to distinguish between the two images and find something to focus on.

I have a KMZ universal turret finder that allows me to frame 35mm (in addition to 28mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm). I was a bit disheartened at first when I fitted it to the FED 3 cold shoe as it really easily slips off again; there is no spring in the cold shoe to hold the accessory in place. I’m not sure if this is something missing from my body or not. However, I found a very simple and crude solution; a small piece of paper slipped in with the turret holds it in place very nicely!