Here are two views of a very strange and unknown cameras of the Soviet production. Extremely rare and seldom encountered, this model was a development of the former TSVVS, and technicaly a step ahead the inspiring FED 2 . As some of the TSVVS of 1949/ 1950 they have no name or manufacturer indication, but their finishing denotes the same Almaz manufacture. The FED philosophy was always present. As in the previous known model, this camera is a departure from the FED: now, the model 2 uses the original normal inner Contax lens mount. This new model has although very interesting improvements. Fist of all, they have the same bayonet that now is complete and can receive all range of interchangeable lenses, once there is present the outer Contax bayonet mount. Film sensibility reminder marked in DIN scale. Everything is coupled to the same wide base FED 2 range/viewfinder, now with an external wheel focusing. This viewfinder has a diopter adjusting ring around the ocular, à la FED 3 style. In the front panel there is a vertical interchangeable slide frame limiting the viewfinder field for rangefinder use in 85 and 135mm lenses, reminiscences of the original Contax I , Now the base and back is a one piece, also removable the same way some later original TSVVS, also Contax style. The great improvement however is the presence of the slow speed mechanism , unseen in FED 2 cameras. It operates in the “B” position of the high speed dial. One has to set the desired speed and cock the slow speed dial on each chosen slow speed previously to take a picture. Cameras had three plug contacts for “M” and “X” , reminding the Exakta and Rodina (the first one is moified for PC) . Some characteristics of this camera can be found in the later model 1 in the site: Probable Year of manufacture -1956
We include a FED 2 picture for comparison of the controls placement. http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/collect/fed/1/18.htm