FED 1 late model

kiev4a · 09-15-2005

I was browsing Nathan Dayton's commie cameras site the other day and ran across something I didn't know about my favorite FED 1.

The camera was given to me by a friend -- about as close to mint as you'll find a 50-year-old camera. It is the last model, the FED 1G. I noticed on N.D.'s site that his photos of the last version of the FED 1 show the camera with the SN on top of the finder. My FED has the number on the back of the top plate. But way down in the fine print Nathan mentions that some of the last FED 1s made had the sn on the back.

The location of the SN probably isn't a big deal to most folks but I think this puts me FED 1 in the same category with my Zorki 2 in terms of rarity. Anyway, makes me happy.

Something that has puzzled me about the FED 1s is I have never seen one modified for electronic flash. I've seen a number of Zorki 1s with flash sync (I have two) but never a FED 1. I'm sure there must be some out there. Anybody else seen one?

jaypolaski · 09-15-2005

Nice! Congratulations on the rare model!

Nickfed · 09-15-2005

I'm not sure you should read too much into Dayton. My FEd-1 has the s/n on the back too. I didn't see it as unusual. The number is 525641

reagan · 09-15-2005

Interesting s/n info. I wonder just how many (approx.) were made with the s/n on the back? But no, I've not seen a FED1 with sync. nor have I read of anyone having one.

kiev4a · 09-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by CVBLZ4

Interesting s/n info. I wonder just how many (approx.) were made with the s/n on the back? But no, I've not seen a FED1 with sync. nor have I read of anyone having one.

Since my sn starts with 67 and NickFeds starts 52 it suggest that a good number were made. Still, they were the last cameras of the FED 1 production run and can be identified by the different number placement.

Nickfed · 09-15-2005

OK, so now I'm curious too. Where was the change from top to back? Will all you FED-1ers please have a look?

Mine is 525641 and the number is at trhe back
On eBay is 455911. It is on the top, still.

So the window is initially 70 000 units wide

So will those with numbers >>between<< 455911 and 525641 please post saying where that number is?

As the window narrows I will edit this accordingly.

berci · 09-15-2005

Mine is 68xxx and on the back.