Stupid question about FED 3B take up spool

I've always assumed this thing is NOT a take up spool, but now that I look at it, it has slits for film.... also my other FED 3B has the same thing and no spool, as a few other FED 5s that I have.. please advice whether this is a built-in take up or there needs to be a spool to go on top of it.. none of my other FED spools fit on top of this thing since it's too thick...



Thanks,
Vlad

Hi Vlad - I've wondered about that take-up spool also. I've got several FED3b bodies, and only the later ones, from the 1980s, have this kind of spool. Haven't tried to shoot any film with those bodies, though as I prefer the "old type" take-up spool with the little claw in it.

cheers!
Jukka

hi vlad ,
you have to hunt for a correct winding spool fitting on this axle (slips are here to expand inside it)
alain

Alain,

thank you, that is most disturbing, because that would mean that I know have a bunch of cameras that are missing take ups... are these so rare? Or sellers think that is how it's supposed to be? Is there a specific size of take up I should be looking for? A special name? Like a full-axle take up spool?

Thanks,
Vlad.

Ask Alex and he will know.
But I have tried it w/o spool and it does work well. You just have to be careful in the beginning, but that is not news when you have used bottomloaders!

Smena rules

Juhani, most interesting! Did you experience any film looseness when you used the axle? My concern is that if there is to be a take up spool, the camera winding rotation would probably be set for that, so if you use an axle, it would probably require more revolutions in order to tightly spool up the film... so I wonder if there will be problems with 36 frame films...

Vlad.

I haven't any problems, and I just checked: this axle is not fixed but does allow rotation difference. So as always: it is the sprockets that make the film advance, and the take-up axle/spool only winds the film around itself.

Smena rules

Ah I see what you mean, and you're right.. so essentially you don't really need a spool with it... that somewhat answers my question! Thanks!

Vlad

It needs no other spools on top of it. You just put film leader through the slots, wind 2-3 times and you are ready to go. Easier and simpler to use, and cheaper to produce. Added benefits: can't lose it
Prove: I had unopened FED 5B the way you show above. And I believe it said about this in the manuals.

I read somewhere that the cameras with non-removable spools were for domestic market and the ones with removable were for exporting. I might have read it in the Princell book,which is awesome by the way. Don

by the way for people who already own the Princelle 2nd edition book I can share an electronic copy of it for convenience if you'd like as PDF format to have on your laptop/work PC so to not carry around the heavy paper version with you. Contact me offline if you'd like a copy... I would prefer some kind of proof of purchase of your paper version so I don't violate any copyright laws.

Thanks,
Vlad.

Ok Vlad, that's elegantly said...

frindly,

Alain, (cooperate in 2nd Princelle's edition as you see on following picture) (i am on the right side and JLP on the left)




http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/JLPЁpetite.jpg