FED 3 OWNERS MANUAL
Make certain the rewind ring is turned as far counter-clockwise as possible. The rewind ring surrounds the shutter
release, which is between the shutter speed selector and the film advance lever. It is marked with a "B" and "C" with
arrows pointing the direction to rotate. To advance the film the ring must be in the "C" position. Wind film advance
lever and press the shutter. The film should now be winding onto the take up spool. Replace the back. Advance the
film and release the shutter for two frames. You should now be ready to take pictures!
When you are ready to rewind the film you must FIRST RELEASE THE SHUTTER. Failure to do so may cause
the shutter to behave erratically the first few times when you next load film. Rotate the rewind ring to the "B"
position by turning clockwise WHILE PUSHING DOWN. As space is somewhat constricted, it is easier for most
people to do this using the right hand with the lens pointing towards your body. Locate the rewind knob on the
opposite end from the advance lever. Turn the rewind knob clockwise until no resistence is felt from the film. The
back may now be opened and the film removed.
FILM ADVANCE / COCKING THE SHUTTER
The film advance lever is a single stroke mechanism, ie pushing the lever to the full extent of its travel will advance
the film one full frame and cock the shutter. Hold the camera with the lens pointing away from your body, push the
lever with your thumb smoothly in one continuous motion until it reaches the limit of its travel.
FILM COUNTER
The film counter dial is not geared, so it can be rotated in mid roll if care is not taken. When you are ready to take
your first frame, rotate the counter knob (directly above the film advance lever) to the first mark after the "0". The
counter will advance up each time the film is advanced.
SETTING SHUTTER SPEED
IMPORTANT!!! NEVER CHANGE SHUTTER SPEEDS WITHOUT FIRST COCKING THE SHUTTER!!!
In
the worst case, you may do major damage to the mechanism. At best, you will find the shutter behaves erratically for
a few frames.
The shutter speeds are located immediately next to the accessory shoe and are contained on a dial numbered B, 30, 1,
2, 4, 8, 15, 60, 125, 250. and 500. "B" will open the shutter for as long as you press down on the shutter button.
"30" is 1/30th of a second and is the synch speed for flashbulbs. "1" is for one second. All other numbers are the
denominator of a fraction of a second, of which the numerator is the number 1. In other words, 1/2, 1/4th, 1/8th of a
second, and so on. You may wonder why 1/30th is out by itself and not between 1/15th and 1/60th as would appear
logical. This is because the 1/30th setting works differently than any other, timing the full opening of the shutter to
coincide with the maximum light output from flashbulbs.
To change speeds FIRST COCK THE SHUTTER. Now grasp the speed selector knob and gently pull up while
rotating the red arrow to the desired speed as marked on the dial. You will notice that the knob moves easily from
1/30th counterclockwise until it reaches the 1/15th mark. At that point resistance will be felt, and a noise like the
winding of a clock will be heard. This is normal as the slow speed mechanism is engaged. The speed selector cannot
be moved counterclockwise farther than the 1 second mark. DO NOT TRY! To go from on second to 1/30th you
must turn the knob clockwise all the way around past B.
USING THE VIEWFINDER/RANGEFINDER
Note the knurled ring which surrounds the eyepiece on the back of your Fed 3. This is a diopter correction, allowing
you to adjust the viewer for your own eyesight. In most cases, this will eliminated the need for glasses while using
your Fed 3 - a good thing as the knurled ring is almost certain to scratch your eyeglasses.
Page 3