FED NKVD lens mount

Some time back I purchase a FED NKVD off ebay the lens is out of alignment when focusing the little button covers the viewfinder also the lens will not focus . On the lens mount at 3/4 point there is an engraved mark. I was told these early FEDs used a different thread on the mounts and later lenes will not fit. But I'm not sure how true this is. With my FED NKVD lenes from my other cameras I will fit with out any problem. So I'm wondering could it be the wrong mount and lens?

Hello,

On the NKVDs b and c , the position of the infinity button is variable, usually from 7 to 11 o'clock.
If the infinity button covers the viewfinder when the lens is completely screwed, it is of course uneasy to take photos... But normally, the photos must be good, as it is not a question of distance between lens and film (28,8mm).

Probably you have a lens which is not fitted to your camera. I tried to solve this same problem by turning the lens plate on one of my NKVDs. Easy: there are only 4 screws. But in that case another problem appears: the ring cannot be correctly applied to the cover...

What are the serial numbers of the body and the lens? Of course, the lens is not coated?

Amitiés. Jacques.
PS: the engraved mark at 9 o'clock is normal.

Hello thanks for replying the numbers are

Body 147796

As far as I can see the lens hasn't any number just the make and focal length
FED 1:3,5 F=50mm

Your camera is a NKVD 1d: at that time (1940-41)the position of the infinity button was always at 7 - 8 o'clock.
So I think your lens is not original.
Really no serial number, even at the back of the lens?
You are sure it is a prewar lens? (not coated, old diaphragm scale: f 3,5 - 4,5 - 6,3 - ...).

If yes, your lens probably comes from an older NKVD.

Amitiés. Jacques.

I have just had another look and there is a plastic shim covering the number.

so the lens number is

12560.3 19.

F stop scale 3.3 4.5 6.3 9 12. 18

So, it's certainly the lens of a 1b, serial number of the body around 12500-13000.
Not surprising you have problems...
If you want to shoot, buy a coated postwar lens. It's better, and the position of the button should be correct (tested on the 1d-s I have).
Of course, the 28,8mm distance perhaps will be wrong and so will have to be corrected. But it is often the case with a non original couple...

Amitiés. Jacques.

Thanks for all your help I think this camera is at the end of it's working life .. now when I try and focus it cam jumps off the rim of the lens.. also the take-up spool is slipping.. so it's now just for display Colin

Keep Film Alive!