Interesting compilation FED/Zorki

Usually I don't buy compilation of cameras. But this time I made an exception.
This what in not on photos is lens number: 15541.
Interesting camera, insn't it ?

(If I placed photos wrong way pls write me how to correct them)

Hi,
It looks like a regular FED 1e just has a strange speed dial that does look like it's from FED-Zorki...

A very interesting camera, for sure!
The mechanism certainly belongs to a Zorki, with that crisp paint and the shape of the lock. Idem for the frame counter. The speed dial is a Fed-Zorki's, as Vlad said.

The cover is strange. At first sight, it's a good old Fed 1e's. But I wonder: the chrome is really very smooth. The serial number is regular for a 1e, but the ciphers are really smaller than the original ones.

So, an exciting camera, Alfa!
BTW: what's the shape of the rangefinder? Fed's or Zorki's?

Jacques.

Seems to be a Zorki-1b with a re-engraved top plate. The serial number should be much wider. The vulcanite could be Zorki too.
I'm sure you would prefer a real Fed-1e. But still, the engraving looks really nice, maybe even better than the real one.

Jacques, I checked the wiki and saw you have 5 1e. Are the engravings of those 5 all placed the same, or are some placed more to the front side?
By the way, I rearranged the wiki, much easier now to read and edit.

quote:

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Originally posted by Lenny


Jacques, I checked the wiki and saw you have 5 1e. Are the engravings of those 5 all placed the same, or are some placed more to the front side?

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Four only, Lenny. That's enough! I will correct that...
Right about the position of the text. Its position can slightly vary: front or back, but right or left too. No more than 1mm or so, I think. As if the stencil-plate was not always in the same position.

Thanks Jacques,

please keep them in the wiki, you don't need to change the name.

quote:

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Originally posted by Jacques M.


BTW: what's the shape of the rangefinder? Fed's or Zorki's?

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I haven't removed top plate but I have 2 new photos which may answer some questions.

On 2nd photo:
- on top Zorki No. 10321
- bottom our strange FED







On my eye, strange FED looks like FED-Zorki but upper plate is replaced with this strange one, bottom plate is replaced with plate from FED (engravings tells it is from FED), lens in from early FED NKVD.

Fine Zorki 1a/1b, s/n 10321...
About your "special" Fed 1e, it's difficult to say. The base of the camera could be a 1a/1b, with the crisp paint, the four nut bolts (to regulate the shutters) and the speed dial.

As for the release button, there is a gradual changing between s/n 9000 and 10600. Always Fed-Zorki type before, Zorki one after, and mixed between the two. As far as I know! Yours is a Zorki one.

For the cover, nothing is clear. The chrome is finer than a Fed 1e's. The general shape is correct, and the engraving too, except for the number. If it's good for a 1e, the ciphers are too small and not in a correct position. For example, have a look at http://ussrphoto.com/Wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=98&ParentID=1&ContentID=962&Item=FED+1d . It's a 1d, but the ciphers are the same on a 1e.

I think of a Zorki 1a/1b, with a correct Fed 1e cover which could have been rechromed and engraved with the actual serial number. A training at KMZ's? Who knows...

Amitiйs. Jacques.

The top plate is from a much later camera. It can be seen on the left side of the plate, earlier plates doesn't have this shape.
These comparison photos side by side are really helpful. It can be seen that the top plate of the 'Fed' is so flat on the top while the Zorki is much more round and doesn't have these edges.
But still, I like the engraving as a Fed-1e and it looks good with this type of chrome.

No doubt, Lenny, you are right: the cover was completely reingraved. There are some very tiny details in the lettering which are different from a genuine 1e, when looked with a magnifyer.

So, I fear you have a Zorki 1a/1b without any Fed part, Alfa. Unless the baseplate which you speak of?

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Here is a photo of a cover.


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1342016_DSCF2359.JPG

I let you make comparisons. Just have a special look at the "B" (= V).
Amitiйs. Jacques.

Thank You very much.
You are absolutely right. Top plate of my "Fed" is a fake.

And many thanks for photo of top plate of FED 183231. It is really interesting especaily this "B".

Interesting serial #183231, Jacques. According to Princelle, Fed started evacuating the factory on September 5th. We know the passport of #180024 made on 31/07/1941. Could #183231 still be produced in Kharkov? 3207 cameras within 5 weeks? That are 33333 cameras per year. We also know passport #136157 made on 20/08/1940. They produced over 44.000 cameras in the last 12 months. So #183231 should still be made in Kharkov. The question is if #183231 is real. The left side looks very round and it seems there is an edge in front of the shoe. I have doubts, hard to tell only from this photo.

quote:

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Originally posted by Lenny

The question is if #183231 is real. The left side looks very round and it seems there is an edge in front of the shoe. I have doubts, hard to tell only from this photo.

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I have another question. Could you produce a photo of one of your 1e-s, taken with the same angle of view, to support your doubts?
If not, I stop there.

Jacques, I'm sorry. I didn't want to make you upset.
I don't have a 1e, but now that we should be more certain that nearly all 1e were produced in Kharkov and not Berdsk they should go down in price or at least should not increase in price, so maybe one day I might have one for reasonable money too. I really like the 1e engraving and Fed-1abcde engravings are very interesting, I'm studying them now and your remark about the 'B' was helpful. Thanks Jacques. I wish I could read more about these engravings.
Since these 1e and even some late 1d were once called Berdsk, they were a paradise for faker. So everytime I see a 1e I take a look closer if it could be a real one. It's also poor that there is only one picture in the wiki here and that one is from an bad angle. Someone should upload some pictures of a real 1e please.

Hi all

My contribution to this topic...
Here is mine
It has the 1000/s position but it is not mentioned on speed selector..

Fred


Fred
http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1542016_P4152119.JPG




http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1542016_P4152120.JPG

quote:

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Originally posted by Fred_L


Here is mine
It has the 1000/s position but it is not mentioned on speed selector..

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Thanks Fred,

is your Fed still working? Do you notice any difference between 1/500 and the spot which could be 1/1000? Maybe very difficult to notice but if you shoot it whitout lens and you let light shine on the curtains, at 1/500 you should still see light mirroring in the pressure plate. Even if the pressure plate is not like a mirror you might see a difference.

Do you mind if we put your serials into the wiki, maybe even both photos?

For cameras which are more than 70 years old, the 1/1000th is of course theorical.
But mechanically, it corresponds to a special notch. So, do you have 8 notches (Z to 1/500th) or 9 (Z to 1000th) when you cock and check the different speeds with the dial?

quote:

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Originally posted by Lenny

quote:

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Originally posted by Fred_L


Here is mine
It has the 1000/s position but it is not mentioned on speed selector..

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Thanks Fred,

is your Fed still working? Do you notice any difference between 1/500 and the spot which could be 1/1000? Maybe very difficult to notice but if you shoot it whitout lens and you let light shine on the curtains, at 1/500 you should still see light mirroring in the pressure plate. Even if the pressure plate is not like a mirror you might see a difference.

Do you mind if we put your serials into the wiki, maybe even both photos?

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Hi Lenny

No problem to put into the wiki, Thank you very much!!

Fred

quote:

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Originally posted by Jacques M.


For cameras which are more than 70 years old, the 1/1000th is of course theorical.
But mechanically, it corresponds to a special notch. So, do you have 8 notches (Z to 1/500th) or 9 (Z to 1000th) when you cock and check the different speeds with the dial?

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Hi Jacques..

It has 9 notches.. I have verified

Fred

quote:

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Originally posted by Fred_L


No problem to put into the wiki, Thank you very much!!

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Ok great, thanks Fred,

please tell us your lens serial.