The Fed 5B is a rangefinder camera. It was developed by FED and presented in the 70s. It was built in the USSR and is the successor of the FED 5. The biggest difference is the absence of the light meter of the FED 5B.
The lenses of the Fed 5B can be exchanged. For this it has the M39 thread. The Industar-61 L/D 55mm f/2.8 is often the standard lens. There is no autofocus function on this model. The focus is adjusted manually. When focusing, the photographer is assisted by the rangefinder.
The exposure is not measured by the camera. The exposure time and aperture can be freely selected. If you want to take long exposures, there is the Bulb setting. In this mode, the shutter is opened as long as the shutter release button is pressed. A flash can be used via the hot shoe or PC flash port.
Films for the Fed 5B
The Fed 5B requires 35mm film. There is still a good selection of material for color and black and white images for this film format. Possible films for this camera are the Kodak Ultramax 400* for color photos and the Ilford HP5* for B&W images. The development of the color film is the C-41 process. This is offered by almost every photo lab. The area of the Fed 5B negatives are 24 mm x 36 mm.
Thus, 36 exposures are usually possible per film (135-36). The film in the camera must be rewound manually by the photographer.
The Fed 5B can be released by self-timer or with an additional cable release. A thread for a tripod is provided. The camera body weighs 770 grams. A battery is not needed for the Ukrainian camera.
FED was a camera factory in Ukraine. The abbreviation stands for Trudkommuna imeni F. E. Dserschinskowo. The company was founded by Felix Dzerzhinsky as a machine builder. Dzierżyński was an organizer and the first head of the All-Russian Extraordinary Committee for Combating Counterrevolution and Sabotage (Cheka), the first secret police force in Soviet Russia.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Rangefinder camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | M39 lens mount |
| Focus | Manual |
| Rangefinder | Yes |
| Exposure times | 1/500 second to 1 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Date imprinting | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | PC-Flash, Hot Shoe |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | Not necessary |
| Weight | 770 Grams |
| Country of production | Soviet Union (USSR) |
| End of production | 1990 |
| Production duration | 15 years |
| Estimated value / Used price | 74,96 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 58 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 74,60 Euro (80.10 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 61,00 Euro (66.03 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 73,23 Euro (79.02 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Fed 5B
Is the FED 5B an automatic camera?
No, the FED 5B is a manual camera. It doesn't have autofocus or automatic exposure metering. You set the aperture and shutter speed yourself.
What kind of film does this rangefinder use?
It uses standard 35mm film. You can use both color and black and white film. After shooting, you have to manually advance the film.
How do I focus the camera?
The FED 5B is a rangefinder camera, so you'll use the rangefinder patch to manually focus the lens. This is a manual focusing process, not automatic.
Can I use a flash with the device?
Yes, the camera has a hot shoe and a PC flash sync socket for connecting external flash units. You can use a flash with this model.
Does the camera need batteries?
No, the FED 5B doesn't require batteries to operate. All functions are purely mechanical.