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 ____ 58 ____________ 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 ____ ? _ 1/2-turn ___ smooth black cover _______________________ Photo Arsenal
#_ 253 ____ 253 ____________ totally black _____________________________ Private collection, Europe
#_ 316 ____ ? ____________ smooth black cover _______________________ Знание и Труд 1936 #4
#_ 389 ____ 889/389 ______ 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 ____ 1190/68 ____________ smooth black cover ______________________ Private collection, Europe
#_ 600 ____ 600 __________ Vulcanite _______________________________ private collection, Russia
#_ 608 ____ ? ____________ smooth black cover ______________________ ?
#_ 689 ____ ? ____________ Vulcanite _______________________________ private collection
#_ 698 ____ ? ____________ Vulcanite _______________________________ private collection
#_ 793 ____ ? ____________ pigskin ________________________________ private collection
#_ 911 ____ ?/934/911 ____ smooth black cover ______________________ Alexey Nikitin
#_ 927 ____ 1050/927 _____ Vulcanite _______________________________ Alexey Nikitin
#_ 968 ____ 1026/47/968 __ smooth brown cover _____________________ Private collection, Europe
# 1195 ____ ? ____________ Vulcanite ______________________________ according to Allegro 2011
# 1227 ____ 2302/24 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
# 2029 ____ ? 1-turn ______ Vulcanite __ burnished ___________________ seen on ebay
# 2191_____2261 _________Vulcanite __ burnished ____Lenny
# 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 __ Alexey Nikitin
# 3227 ____ 2095, 1-turn ___ Vulcanite __ burnished ___________________ David Tomlinson
# 3618 ____ ? ____________ Vulcanite _______________________________ 1200 cameras
# 2869 ____ ? 1-turn ______ Vulcanite __ burnished ___________________ seen on the net
# 2969 ____ 34959 ________ Vulcanite __ burnished, FED 1b engravings __ Alexey Nikitin
# 3227 ____ 2095, 1-turn ___ Vulcanite __ burnished ___________________ David Tomlinson
# 3618 ____ ? ____________ Vulcanite _______________________________ 1200 cameras
# 3642_____4447_____fine-Vulcanite __burnished __________sold_2008
# 3662 ____ ? ___________ Vulcanite __ chromed ____________________ seen on ebay
# 4141 ____ ?, 1-turn _____ Vulcanite __ burnished ___________________ A. Zilbert
# 4304 ____ 6744 1/2-turn _ Vulcanite __ burnished ___________________ Alexander K.
# 4141 ____ ?, 1-turn _____ Vulcanite __ burnished ___________________ A. Zilbert
# 4304 ____ 6744 1/2-turn _ Vulcanite __ burnished ___________________ Alexander K.
# 4426 ____4725________ Westlicht auction#5 lot#220
# 4642 ____ Fed/Elmar ____ Vulcanite __ chromed _____________________ Jacques coll.
# 4643 ____ ? ____________ Vulcanite _______________________________ Aidas
# 4700 ____ ? ____________ Vulcanite _______________________________ Знание и Труд 1936 #4
# 5167 ____ ? ____________ Vulcanite __ partly chromed _______________ private collection Russia
# 5298 ____ 5977 _________ Vulcanite __ burnished ____________________ Alexander K.
# 5323 ____ 5165 _________ Vulcanite __ burnished ____________________ Lens werks.
# 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
# 4643 ____ ? ____________ Vulcanite _______________________________ Aidas
# 4700 ____ ? ____________ Vulcanite _______________________________ Знание и Труд 1936 #4
# 5167 ____ ? ____________ Vulcanite __ partly chromed _______________ private collection Russia
# 5298 ____ 5977 _________ Vulcanite __ burnished ____________________ Alexander K.
# 5323 ____ 5165 _________ Vulcanite __ burnished ____________________ Lens werks.
# 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