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A Fed 1c slow speeds

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Printed on: 5/7/2026 2:43:27 PM


Topic

Topic author: Jacques M.

Posted on: 20161114120439

Hello,

I bought lately from Bill a Fed 1c with slow speeds. A very interesting setting made by a skilled craftsman years ago.

Here are two photos:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/14112016_Fed slow speeds 73968 1.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/14112016_Fed slow speeds 73968 1.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/14112016_Fed slow speeds 73968 10.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/14112016_Fed slow speeds 73968 10.jpg

Everybody can see that the lens is not in the right position. And much more interesting, there is no visible slow speed spring, like on a Leica III or a Zorki 3, for example.

When I received it, it was working, more or less. The fast speeds (except the 1/250th and the 1/500th), and one or two slow speeds (at least the second). But the ribbons and the shutters were very tired and they did not resist to my trials and they are broken now.

I have dismantled it.... To be continued!

Jacques.

Replies

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20161114133336

Beautiful. [:)]

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20161115054535


So, I took off the slow speed dial first, thinking that probably it was not connected. But I obtained that:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/15112016_DSCF2551.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/15112016_DSCF2551.JPG

The long vertical rod is pushed by the slow speed dial when turning it. On its upper part, the rod wears a piece which can be unlatched by a "tongue", just under the main speed button.

On the back, the rod wears a sort of fork, which is connected to the slow speed escapement:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/15112016_DSCF2567.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/15112016_DSCF2567.JPG

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20161115073126


By what I see, the extra parts come from a Zorki 3. The slow speed dial can easily be recognized:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/15112016_Fed slow speeds 73968 2.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/15112016_Fed slow speeds 73968 2.jpg

It is the same for the slow speed escapement box. On the left, a Zorki 3 one. One the right, this Fed's:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/15112016_DSCF2578.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/15112016_DSCF2578.JPG

I don't know for the rod: I did not dare to dismantle completely my Zorki 3. But I suspect it comes from a Zorki 3 too.

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20161115074157

So, it is a camera which should work with a CLA (if I find somebody who can fix all that). For my part, I am moved to see such a setting with Russian parts only, not the usual German ones. Note that the camera itself was produced in 1938 and the Zorki 3 in 1951/55.

But some details are difficult to understand. What is the exact use of a slow speed spring? How could this camera work without it?

All comments are welcome. And questions too, if I can!

Amitiés. Jacques.

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20161115081916

Does the camera have 1/1000 or not ?
I don't see it on 1st photo.

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20161115084637


No, 1/500th only: it's a simple NKVD with slow speeds. Not a Fed B fake! [:)]
Concerning the speeds, the first Leica III (F) had the same characteristics.

Reply author: Alfa2

Replied on: 20161116034513

I thought it is made from FED S. In this case it would have 1/1000.

I have never dismounted any camera with slow speeds. Only regular FEDs, Zorkis or Leicas I or II.
Here construction is very interesting.

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20161116071931


It's the first time too that I dismantle such a camera with slow speed.
But I was obliged to. I wanted to see inside how the mechanism worked. And I did not know that, on the three main screws which fix the shutter box to the upper plate, one was loose and another was absent. So the shutter box came wrongly and half dismounted. I reluctantly had to achieve the work before remounting all that... Three hours of researches: sorry, no photo of the mess!

I would be happy if a "knowing" forumer could tell more about the adaptation of these Zorki 3 parts on the camera, specially concerning the absence of a slow speed spring.

About the lens, it's the s/n 30439. It would go on a 1940/41 Fed S, with s/n 14xxxx/17xxxx. A correct one for this Fed s/n 73968 would be in the 22xxx range. I have several of them: once tried, they all give a good position of the infinity button (at 10 o'clock). But the presence of the slow speed button does not allow to use such a lens correctly...

Amitiés. Jacques.

Reply author: Joseph S

Replied on: 20161210160758

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Jacques M.</i>
<br />So, it is a camera which should work with a CLA (if I find somebody who can fix all that). For my part, I am moved to see such a setting with Russian parts only, not the usual German ones. Note that the camera itself was produced in 1938 and the Zorki 3 in 1951/55.

But some details are difficult to understand. What is the exact use of a slow speed spring? How could this camera work without it?

All comments are welcome. And questions too, if I can!

Amitiés. Jacques.

The second curtain is released before the first curtain completes its travel for all speeds above 1/20 th of a second, so the brake comes into use just after the release of the second curtain. At 1/20th of a second and slower, the brake is engaged a little before the second curtain releases, hence the need of that extra flat spring, and the 2nd curtain can be effectively retarded by the slow speed escapement when slow shutter speeds are used without hanging up .


I suspect that the camera's slow speed can work without that braking spring acting on the shutter roller cam but it would be hit or miss. The Leica III had that spring and so did the Zorki 3.


<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20170318114924

After three months, my repairman cannot do the work. I let you imagine the exact answer, based on adjectives we know concerning FSU cameras: ugly, fake, home made, it looks like Leica, but... etc.

I cannot accept that. This camera represents many hours of skill and clever work to adapt Zorki 3 parts to a Fed NKVD body. So, if you knew somebody mad enough to do that at a decent price... Or even if one of us accepted... I would be delighted...

Thanks![8)]

Jacques.

Reply author: levonsa

Replied on: 20170319183938

Jacques greetings!
I can help you.
Have a good mood!

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20170320063254

Many thanks, Alexey! [:)]
I send you a PM.

Amitiés. Jacques.

Reply author: levonsa

Replied on: 20170320173701

Jacques I'm sorry, but I did not get anything ...

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20170321060437


PM re-sent and another through USSRphoto.
Hope you received at least one of them...[:)]

Amitiés.