The first version of the famous Leica copy.
A limited pre-series of 10 FED cameras was released in 1933, regular production started in 1934.
The parts of the camera, that normally should be chromed are "galvanized" up to No. #5.800. This transitional finish is the result of the lack of chrome in the new factory.
The body of very early cameras often has a smooth black plastic cover instead of Vulcanite, occasionally cameras with different covers like smooth brown plastic, leather, or gray Vulcanite can be found.
Produced: 1934-1935
Engravings on camera top: „ФЭД Трудкоммуна им. Ф.Э. Дзержинского. Харьков“
Shutter: 1/20s, 1/30s, 1/40s, 1/60s, 1/100s, 1/200s, 1/500s + Z.
Serial number range: up to # 6.000 [According to Princelle].
known examples
camera SN / lens SN / cover material / metal finish type / collection
#0058 -----?----------------------- smooth black cover, preseries -------------------- private collection, Europe
#142 ---- no lens --------------- gray pigskin ---------------------------------------------- private collection, Europe
#155 ---- no lens --------------- smooth black cover ----------------------------------- seen on ebay 2013
#173 -------?---------------------- smooth black cover ----------------------------------- Photo Arsenal
#253 -------?----------------------- totally black --------------------------------------------- private collection, Europe
#316 -------?----------------------- smooth black cover ---------------------------------- Знание и Труд 1936 #4
#389 -----389---------------------- totally black, matte cover -------------------------- private collection Russia
#489 -------?----------------------- smooth black cover ---------------------------------- DVD Technik
#491 ----- 491 -------------------- smooth black cover ---------------------------------- private collection Russia
#508 ----- 508 -------------------- smooth black cover --------------------------------- private collection Russia
#575 -------?----------------------- smooth black cover --------------------------------- according to Princelle
#600 ----- 600 -------------------- Vulcanite ------------------------------------------------- private collection, Russia
#608 -------?----------------------- smooth black cover ---------------------------------- ?
#689-------?----------------------- Vulcanite -------------------------------------------------- private collection
#698 -------?----------------------- Vulcanite ------------------------------------------------- private collection
#793 -------?---------------------- pigskin ----------------------------------------------------- private collection
#911 ----- 911 -------------------- smooth black cover ------------------------------------- Alexey Nikitin
#927 ----- 927 -------------------- Vulcanite ------------------------------------------------- Alexey Nikitin
#968 ------?------------------------ smooth brown cover --------------------------------- private collection Russia
#1195 -----?----------------------- Vulcanite -------------------------------------------------- according to Allegro
#1227 --- 2392/24, 1 turn ---- Vulcanite --- burnished --------------------------------- Bill Parkinson
#1233 --- 1276/14, 1 turn ---- Vulcanite --- burnished --------------------------------- Christian G. (Niko80)
#1399 --- 1458 ------------------ Vulcanite --------------------------------------------------- private collection, Russia
#1511 -----?----------------------- Vulcanite -------------------------------------------------- Aidas
#1765 --- 1827 ------------------ Vulcanite -------------------------------------------------- private collection
#2313 --- 18266 1/2 turn ----- Vulcanite ----- burnished ----------------------------- Bill Parkinson
#2869 ----?-1 turn ------------- Vulcanite --- burnished -------------------------------- seen on the net.
#2969 --- 34959 ---------------- Vulcanite --- burnished, FED 1b engravings ------ Vlad
#3227 --- 2095, 1 turn --------- Vulcanite --- burnished -------------------------------- David Tomlinson
#3618 -----?---------------------- Vulcanite --------------------------------------------------- 1200 cameras
#4642 - Fed/Elmar ------------ Vulcanite --- chromed ---------------------------------- Jacques coll.
#4643 -----?---------------------- Vulcanite --------------------------------------------------- Aidas
#4700 -----?---------------------- Vulcanite --------------------------------------------------- Знание и Труд 1936 #4
#5167 -----?---------------------- Vulcanite --- partly chromed ------------------------- private collection Russia
#5330 --- 4534/75 ------------- Vulcanite --- burnished -------------------------------- Jacques coll.
#5431 --- 6107/K98 ----------- Vulcanite --- burnished, Leica engravings --------- Jacques coll.
#5440 --- 6049/22 -------------- Vulcanite -------------------------------------------------- Alexey Nikitin
#5461 --- 5681 ------------------ Vulcanite --- burnished ------------------------------ seen on the net.
#5585 ---- 5583, 1 turn ------- Vulcanite --- burnished ------------------------------- Bill Parkinson
#5682 -----?---------------------- Vulcanite --------------------------------------------------- Massimo Bertacchi
#5890 -----?---------------------- Vulcanite --- chromed --------------------------------- Juhani
#5899 -----?---------------------- Vulcanite --- chromed --------------------------------- U. Witte