FED-2 - Another square window? Huh?

Hello all,

I just bought a very strange camera, maybe anyone seen these before? Any info will be appreciated! Thanks!

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1572009_fed2_816845_1.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1572009_fed2_816845_1.jpg

This is the first variation of this type I ever saw!
At first it seems very strange to me as it has a self timer. Uncommon to the first series. Another point to be observed is the position of the flash contact that denotes a production after 1958 . Accordng to the picture the rotating prism is greater than usual and internal to the cover hood. I know no soviet camera with such compensator unless those found on Zorki 5/6. Please note the shutter speeds progression for a better dating, In my opinion it is a modified after sales camera, done by a competent repairman.
From which country did you pick this marvel?
Regards LP

Interesting, thanks Luiz, I guess I can tell more once I got the camera in my hands - whether it's modified or now, I'll post close up images of that rangefinder window. It's from Ukraine...

here are some more images...

I don't know.. it does not look modified to me - they had to remake the prism, glass and everything?? But I've seen people do more skilled stuff too.. so yes hard to say...

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fed2_816845_b.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fed2_816845_b.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1572009_fedwindow.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1572009_fedwindow.JPG

man.. it resized the long image.. I'll post full size version when i get home later.

Hi Vlad!

Glad to know that you had it!
To tell the truth, I hesitated a long time before deciding... I wouldn't buy it.
Of course, if it had been one of the first 2a...
For me, it doesn't really make sense to have a Fed 2 with an experimental finder after several hundreds of thousands items. But I can be completely wrong: the job seems very fine...

Anyway, bravo!
Amitiés. Jacques.
Edit: not "...to have a Fed 2..." but ..."to <b></b>make<b></b> a Fed 2...". Sorry for my English, Vlad! [:I]

So I got this camera recently, sorry was a little busy to post anything, but I examined it very carefully and I unfortunately think that it's most likely a modification since there are some scratches all around that window that to me seems like it had some work done... even though it looks very professional and a cool piece to add to the collection I don't think it's an authentic variation. if anyone is interested I can post close up pictures of that rangefinder window, just let me know so you can judge by yourself.

Vlad

This FED is way too new for type A. It must be a modification, though quite nice one. FED-2 is one of my favorites, but I do not like its tiny RF patch. I guess this modification addresses this exact deficiency.

So I curious - does it? Of this is simply cosmetics? Also, they had to fit a wedge lens behind that square window, I wonder how they did that.

Yuri

I actually like modified cameras - someone I know picked up an early Kiev III with Kiev 4 top and meter - well executed - presumably bringing an old camera up to date was cheaper than buying new .

Hi Vlad!
Sorry for you but nevertheless this camera looks very fine!
I am very curious too to know if everything works correctly in the viewfinder/rangefinder. Could you tell us more, please?
A very interesting camera if it works.

Amitiés. Jacques.

I just spent some time looking through that viewfinder and comparing it to the one on the regular FED-2 model of the same variation that I have.. honestly I don't see much of the difference- yes the rangefinder spot is a bit bigger but very slightly... my guess is it was not made for improving the rangefinder but rather to fix it... maybe someday when I feel courageous I will take both these models apart to see what they actually did inside.. I'm afraid that if i take them apart I won't be able to put them back together [:)].. Here's a more detailed picture of that rangefinder window:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1082009_IMG_4156.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1082009_IMG_4156.jpg

Jacques - I does work fine by the way.

It almost feels that they did this to make the camera look nicer, sexier. It was common in the USSR - to embellish things with decals, mods, etc. Whatever your skills or means.