FED - Pages of Biography. Book - full download. Ru

Thanks, Vlad!

Could anyone tell if there is anything new in this book, so we can complete the history of Fed, especially in the forties?

Thanks! Jacques.

No, Jacques, we already new from this book learn nothing. The main points Vlad at my request, has translated and showed on the forum. You've already read it.

...and nevertheless I have found something interesting.
We read on page 34:

В 1939 началось серийное производство модифицированной модели фотоаппарата ФЭД-Б
In 1939 it began serial production of the modified camera FED-B

I didn't know anything about serial production of FED-B. So far as I know there were produced about 40 cameras at all.

Regards, Alexander

Thanks, Alexey and Alexander.
For the moment, we know nothing, or almost, about these Fed B.

I just can say that I know two of them, for sure. And both are in the 16xxxx/17xxxx series, so probably made in 1940/41. Perhaps there is too a possible connexion with the Fed Arsenal s/n 00043 which has the holes for a slow speed spring?

But there can be others...

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Yes, it is said 42 pieces were done. I've heared this but (as Jacques wrote) there can be others ...

Hello Alfa2

My T-Shirt actually say "21 is only the half the truht" but it's maybe an other story. 40 units is a common guess (by JLP), 42 would be the truth (as Douglas Adams said). ;-)

Best wishes - Guido

Jacques, I do not agree with the numbers 16xxxx / 17xxxx series that correspond to 1941. if someone does not know or does not remember, I said that in №11 SF 1937 there is mention of 40 copies of the FED-B. These cells were made and tested with the plant. if a bit count, the end of 1937 correspond to №53xxx - 55xxx. It just comes to the appearance of FED-S. Just I want to express an opinion that the FED-b, as a copy of the Leica III did not go into production, but did FED-S hybrid 1/1000 sec, but without a moderator. You all know very well that in this period, and changed the shape of the top cover FED. And as you can find a large amount of wardrobe trunks with cut-retardant. Etc.
I want to just remind you that in the future the camera moderated Zorki-3 is not very well turned out. The quality of the moderator is not satisfied with the manufacturer. Retarder so properly and do not get. We can see it in the figures on the scale of inconsistency.
Someone made a copy when the FED-B number №14x.xxx and then the next generation is mindlessly copy and passes for the truth!

Dear Alexey,

If I understand you correctly (but I am not sure), you think that the 40 "B" prototypes (or so) were prepared by the factory as soon as the 1c begins (around 54xxx). And at the beginning of the S too. So, in 1937/38. Just to discuss, I would say a bit later, when the hole appears in the upper plate...

I completely agree with you about the slow speeds of the Zorki 3, and even of the Leica III (F) in 1933: some had to be re-sent to the factory. So, it's not astonishing that the Fed B was not ready.

But these two late ones I know (in the s/n 16xxxx/17xxxx) seem to me perfectly genuine, without the usual Leica parts. You think they were made later with original Fed parts?

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Jacques! I believe that the plant fed tried to make the camera FED-B, this changed the shape of the top cover to fit the mechanism of the retarder. Fed-B not happened, the details were already prepared for a great full series. Do not go to waste. Got FED-S. All this happened in 1937. More information on FED-B log SF 1940- 1941 no!

Sorry, Alexey, I am a bit lost!

Of course, I know about the changing of cover and the hole in the upper plate which were necessary for the connexion to slow speeds. A copy of the 1933 Leica III(F) for these two details. And I know too about the 40 Fed "B" only, instead of a full series.

But I am less sure about these 40 Fed "B" made in 1937 only. You say that the others must be fakes. I doubt about Alain's which was X-rayed by Dr Milos Vladek and that I had in hand. I doubt too about the other one (seen only by photos, that one) which was exactly like Alain's, without any Leica parts, which are so common on "B" fakes. Of course, I can be wrong, as I am further than you about information!

By the way, what is N° 11 SF 1937?

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Hi Jacques,

SF = Soviet Photo Magazine, Alexey meant that there is no mention of FED-B in those magazine issues for 1940-1941 as the project was abandoned.

Cheers,
Vlad.

Thanks, Vlad and Alexey.

Note that both of these late Fed "B" have a shutter box in white metal, not in brass, as in 1937. I wonder too about the Fed-Arsenal s/n 00043, with its holes to mount a slow speed spring, in a shutter box also in white metal.

Well, difficult to be sure, with the few number of cameras, and the time which passed... And I will have to learn Russian in another life!

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Thanks for uploading! Great :)

Sorry, I am a bit deaf or old!
I had not understand that the uploading was from 1937...
Thanks, Alexey!

I am much impressed too by the sports finder, the selftimer and the 6,3/100mm (in fact, perhaps the 5,9/100mm) which are mounted on 1b-s cameras... I don't speak of the other accessories. So all that was really made before the 1c camera series ?

Really, I will have to learn Russian in my next life...

Jacques.

Levonsa, many thanks for scan of the article and for marking about 40 made items of FED-B.


Hello Guido
Thanks for your remark, I see I haven't read JLP carefully.
P.S. Great text on your site about fake/genuine FED-Zorki.

Jacques try to start learning Russian language in this life! Deafness is not the problem! Deaf Beethoven had finished writing the 9th Symphony!