FED 2 production #s

[vanyagor]

I was wondering if there is data on #s of FED 2 of different types like there is for FED 1 (http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/collect/fed/fed.htm) and (http://www.fedka.com/Frames/Main_Frame.htm).

Does anyone know if this data exists at all?

[AidasCams]

Hi!

Different sources refer to total amount of 1.632.600 Fed-2 ever made. As I know there's no more exact numbers on Fed-2 modifications as well.


Regards,

AidasCams
www.sovietcams.com (http://www.sovietcams.com)

[ZorkiKat]

Ivan

I'm assuming that you're concerned with the FED-2 which you just got?

It doesn't matter much when your FED-2 was made. Save for the ones made after 1966 or so (they were made till 1973?), almost any will be good as the other. FED-2 represented what could be the best in "original" Soviet RF camera design based on the Leica. They redesigned Barnack's Leica and came out with a very elegant one. Unlike the succeeding models, the FED-2 is cleanly made (simple, no sticking dials or buttons), ergonomic, and easy to use.

The first production models lacked flash synch. If you don't do much flash or don't plan to do such with the FED, then this is not an issue. The last ones appear to be badly made.

It's easy to tell which you should get- look for ones with flash contacts in front and strap lugs on either side. Regardless of the shape of the dial or the progression of shutter speeds used, FED-2 made with these variations perform the same way.

The last ones lack the strap lugs and often sport (ugly) nylon coverings with
industrial-looking patterns.

Jay

[vanyagor]

Thanks Jay. I just had an idea that it might be nice to make a collection of FED 2 or/and FED 1. And was wondering which modifications are rare.

The one that I got, I did get indeed for shooting rather than for collection, so your responce helps. Btw, what about those FED2 which have self timer added (mine does not), are they equally well built?

[brachal]

This is the best Fed2 site I've found, and it has some information on serial#'s:

http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/fed2_1.html

[ZorkiKat]

Thanks Jay. I just had an idea that it might be nice to make a collection of FED 2 or/and FED 1. And was wondering which modifications are rare.

The one that I got, I did get indeed for shooting rather than for collection, so your responce helps. Btw, what about those FED2 which have self timer added (mine does not), are they equally well built?


You are dealing with the same animal inside and out basically :)

The selftimer was introduced with the third variation. Each variation in the model line introduced a bit of new feature like flash synch, self-timers, revised shutter speeds or some cosmetic revision like reshaped knobs or dials. None really made the camera any less, and generally made it function better.

Sometimes, the modifications were made to ease up production- the transfer of the PC flash contact from the body to the top plate is one. Some modifications were internal, and generally made the camera function better.
The accessory clip was also raised at some point, to allow better use of accessory finders for non-normal lenses.

Towards the last years of its production, the FED-2 lost the strap lugs. These seem to have been seen as redundancies since the case was already strapped. Not really so for people who don't like (n)ever ready cases. :)

I have a modest collection of FED cameras. There must be at least 37 of them here, and perhaps 30 of these are FED-1 of various vintages. I don't really know exactly how many there are now, I stopped counting about 2 years ago. My oldest FED at present is one from 1935, and is in the process of repair. And there's also an equal number of Zorki cameras with these FED, and almost all of them are Zorki-1, with a few Zorki-2s, Zorki-4, Zorki-5, and Zorki-6 thrown in. :D

Jay