FED type 1d NKVD-USSR WWII Vintage 1939-1941 Russian RF Camera copy Leica-II(D)

The FED is a Russian Rangefinder camera, mass produced from 1934 until around 1990, and also the name of the factory that made it. FED is indirectly named after Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky, founder of the VChK. It was his name that was given to the labour commune at Kharkiv (Ukraine) whose manager, Anton Makarenko, encouraged a workshop education for indigent children and who decided to copy the Leica in 1932.

Large-scale production began in 1934, and in the same year the factory was put under NKVD control and Makarenko was fired. Production continued until 1941, when German forces destroyed the factory, and resumed in 1946. However, the design is cruder: for example, the rangefinder cam is not fitted with a wheel.

From 1955, FED began to innovate, combining the rangefinder with the viewfinder in the FED 2 and all its successors. The FED-3 added slow shutter speeds and on the later version FED-3 (b) the film advance was changed from a thumb wheel to a lever.

The FED 4 (1964-77) added a non-coupled selenium exposure meter. The FED 5 marked the end of the FED rangefinder family, and was meant as a replacement for both the FED-3 and FED-4 that were in production at the time of its introduction. There were versions of the FED-5: the original FED-5 had an exposure meter, the FED-5B was a cheaper version without meter, and the later FED-5C had reflected frame-lines showing field of view of 50mm lens and an exposure meter. All FED-5 cameras were delivered with an Industar I-61L/D lens. Production of FED rangefinder cameras ended in the mid 1990s Fed-5 Serial Number 545446 was made on February 28, 1994; Fed's site claims that it was in fact 1997: Start of serial production of vertical drive for control system of tanks.

Production of all types of cameras has stopped. 8,647,000 cameras were manufactured since the beginning. I bring to your attention very rare vintage USSR Russian collectable, 100% ORIGINAL range finder film 35mm photo camera FED.

NKVD-USSR for Reporters of Soviet Army Officers WWII. This camera is a copy of Leica-II(D). Engraved on the top plate is??????? " which means "FED NKVD-USSR Kharkiv.

The camera made on factory F. The name "FED" comes from the initials of Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky. The youth rehabilitation commune which bears his name was created as a memorial to Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Soviet secret police.

Very Good item to the collection. How I found out with cameras experts this camera have manufacturing defect, not correct engraved the serial number. It makes that camera more rare and collectible. The case trims with a pith tree. All features have been tested and work properly.

Glass on lenses is clean, no fungus. This unique camera was kept till our time in good condition. Getting such thing you do good capital investment. Every year the price for them will increase only!

This camera is a stylish acquisition for collectors, 100% satisfaction, and good present or for everyday use! Shutter speeds - Z, 1/20, 1/30, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, 1/500. Lens Industar-22 Moscow 1:3,5 F=50mm. I will send all items to Worldwide. Be ready for these terms.

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