How the Soviet camera “FED”, called “impenetrable”, was created. History of the development of FED cameras Post-war production of FED cameras
Pre-war production of FED cameras
By the end of 1934, 1,800 cameras went on sale, and in 1935 - more than 15,000. The camera consisted of 80 parts that were assembled by hand. Then the commune became a production plant of the NKVD, where conveyor mechanized production was organized. On the first FED cameras, the serial number and place of assembly were necessarily engraved. But when production volumes increased, numbering was abandoned. Before the war, the production volume was about 160,650 devices.
The first test for the future FED camera was the production of 30 hand-assembled cameras with an attached rangefinder without numbering. But they did not switch to mass production of this model. The first 7,000 cameras were produced without a fixture clamp. It is precisely on this basis that collectors distinguish the first issue of FED. Camera parts were plated with nickel, and later switched to chrome plating. The next batch of the second release (up to serial number 22000) is characterized by a larger diameter of the shutter head.
Having slightly improved the shutter speed and lens, the FED-S began to be produced in 1938. The high-end FED-B model was being prepared for production. The design was reminiscent of the German Leica III. But mass production stopped due to the outbreak of war. Also, the “Commander FED” was assembled in small batches for military purposes.
Post-war production of FED cameras
After the end of the war, the production of FED cameras resumed in Kharkov. The German camera was no longer copied. The FED-2 camera was completely developed by Soviet designers in 1955. Therefore, this model is of particular interest to collectors. The last representative of the legendary camera was the FED-5, which began production in 1977. The total number of all FED cameras by the beginning of the 90s amounted to more than 765 million units!
But in the early 90s, cheaper cameras appeared in the USSR. The outdated FED models could not withstand the competition and on the day of the plant's sixtieth anniversary, production was stopped.
Folk legends or true stories about the Soviet favorite camera
Amateur photographers remember with pleasure the story that happened in France. The Soviet delegation was admiring Paris from the height of the Eiffel Tower and one woman accidentally dropped her FED camera. The French, trying to console her, promised to give her a new camera to compensate for the damage. But the woman, smiling, asked to go downstairs and bring her the FED. The amazed French could not understand how the camera remained undamaged after falling from a great height. They spent a long time trying to persuade us to sell them the legendary camera. A box of French perfume “Chanel No. 5” broke the woman’s resistance. The exchange took place.
They say that our climbers, having argued with the Americans, threw a camera from a cliff. Having gone down, we found the FED without damage at the foot of the mountain. Since then, the FED camera has been proudly called “impenetrable.”
For an ordinary person, old FED cameras will seem unnecessary thing. The era has arrived digital cameras, they are given preference. But for a true amateur photographer, the legendary FED is a treasure. In the hands of a professional, using an old camera, you can create a photo masterpiece.
If you are interested in the Zorki camera, then feel free to read on. The FED and Zorkiy devices are absolutely identical!
In fact, the FED is not a camera that might be of interest to a collector or even just a photo enthusiast. Of course, like any other camera that has been mass-produced for such a long time, it has a number of small-scale modifications that are valued much higher than their serial counterparts, but now we will talk about the most ordinary camera.
Let's first figure out who made it and when. Such information, although it may be considered redundant and encyclopedic, is in fact very useful, since it allows not only to correlate a thing with its historical period, but also to understand the context of all the engineering solutions that are included in it. In any case, I will try to be as brief as possible in this section.
Story
So, the FED camera was produced in Kharkov (Ukrainian SSR), at the Kharkov Machine-Building Association "FED" from 1934 to 1955. Just in case you haven’t read my story about the second generation of these cameras, let me remind you that “FED” stands for “Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky.”
The domestic “FED” is nothing more than a simplified copy of the German “Leica II” camera.
The production of these cameras was initially established at the Kharkov Labor Commune named after. F. Dzerzhinsky, created from former street children through the efforts of the outstanding Soviet teacher Anton Semenovich Makarenko. And he, by the way, is, according to UNESCO, one of the four teachers who determined the further development of pedagogy in the world.
Many people have probably heard about the Leicas used by photojournalists at the front? In fact, things with photographic equipment were a little more complicated...
To begin with, you should pay attention to the cost. So, by the end of the 30s, it was possible to find German Leicas on sale at a price of 2000 rubles for a standard set with an Elmar 50/3.5 lens, at the same time, the domestic FED with a FED 50/3.5 lens cost a little more 700 rubles. The difference is obvious, especially if we take into account the fact that the cost of replacement optics for German watering cans could be many times higher than the cost of the camera itself with the Elmar lens.
Thus, several different systems were used at the front and in the rear:
“FED”, “FED-S” (the so-called “Komandirsky”: it was equipped with a high-aperture FED 50/2 lens and had a shutter speed of 1/1000 second), “Leica II model D”, “Leica IIIa model G”, “ Pioneer" (VOOMP), "FAG" (Geodesy). All these cameras were practically indistinguishable in the eyes of non-professionals, which was the reason for the emergence of the generic name “Leika”.
Only a couple of hundred photojournalists of central newspapers could boast of German Leicas and other foreign photographic systems, while the overwhelming number of front-line photographs were taken with FED cameras. By the way, while praising the military exploits of the FED, we should not forget about another, no less outstanding device "Photocor" however, that will be a completely different story...
So what can we say about the history of this camera? It was released at a difficult time and in difficult circumstances. By the beginning of the war, 160,650 cameras of the FED system were produced in the country, which, in the absence of other mass-produced photographic systems, became the main camera of the country not only during the war, but also until the mid-50s.
Well, is it worth looking at this device with contempt? Of course not, because it would be at least cynical. I have already heard more than once that “FED is a pathetic fake of the masterpiece German Leic.” Yes, but so what? I, and many others, will not dispute the achievements of the German photographic industry, just like some of the remaining domestic industry, especially in the pre-war period, but I do not see this as a reason for forgetting the domestic FED photo system. This device, like the T-34 tank (which traces its ancestry to the BT tank, based on the American system of J. W. Christie), having foreign roots, soon became a symbol of resistance and victory.
How much is the famous song by Konstantin Simonov worth?
From Moscow to Brest
There is no such place
No matter where we wander in the dust.
WITH watering can and with a notepad,
Or even with a machine gun
We went through fire and cold.
<…>
I already wrote above that almost all cameras of that period were called “Leicas”.
Small-scale and non-serial releases:
FED-S
(“Komandirsky”) was distinguished, as I wrote above, by a FED-S 2/50 lens, and also had a shutter speed of 1/1000 s.
FED-B
("Generalsky") was equipped with a retarder, which allowed him to work out a shutter speed of 1 s.
FED-V —
modification of 1941, according to unverified data, is a copy of the “Leica IIIa model G”
Probably, after the war, a batch with KMZ optics was released, namely with the Industar-22 3.5/50 mm lens.
In 1933, 30 devices with an attached rangefinder were produced - copies of the Leica I
From 1934 to 1935, the VOOMP Experimental Plant produced about 700 cameras. « Pioneer«
.
In April 1934, at the Geodesy plant, which produced geodetic equipment, the first sample of a camera, conventionally called « FAH»
(“Photographic Apparatus Geodesy”). In fact, it is a copy of the German Leica II with minor structural and design changes. The housing covers are plated with nickel. There is no clamp on the rangefinder cover for fastening devices, because... their use was not intended, and therefore the top panel is made smooth. The outer frame of the viewfinder window is removable. Tube lens (folding) “Leitz Elmar” f=3.5/50 mm. Tessar type with engraving “V.O.O.M.P. Z-d Geodesy". The use of interchangeable optics was not intended. From 1934 to 1935, 300 copies were produced.
VTSWS(Military Topographical Service Armed Forces)
- a camera based on the Leica II system, manufactured at the Almaz military plant after the war. It differed from the serial “FED” in its bayonet lens mount (equipped with captured German lenses “Carl Zeiss Sonnar” 2/50 or “Carl Zeiss Sonnar” 1.5/50), as well as an expanded set of shutter speeds: (1/20, 1/30, 1 /40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, 1/500 s and "B"). Finished with natural leather in black or blue. No more than 1000 pieces were produced.
There are also rarer specimens, for example:
“At the photo factory of the Combine named after. F. Dzerzhinsky built a prototype of a new model of the FED camera (see Fig. 1).
A distinctive feature of this model is the connection of the rangefinder to the viewfinder. Instead of two eyepieces available on the camera of the first model, the new model has only one eyepiece, with the help of which focusing and sighting are carried out simultaneously. In the center of the rectangle that encloses the shot frame, a circle is visible that is brighter than the field surrounding it. The image alignment is done in this circle. Thus, while focusing, the photographer can simultaneously monitor the frame being shot, which is especially convenient when shooting moving objects, sports moments, etc.
The benefits of such an improvement are obvious. The new design of the combined viewfinder-rangefinder made it possible to increase the base of the rangefinder, which increases the accuracy of focusing.
According to the manufacturers, assembly and adjustment of the new rangefinder is easier than the rangefinder of the first model.
Significant disadvantage new design is a sensitive loss of visible field brightness, which greatly complicates sighting in poor light conditions.
The new camera model is currently undergoing factory testing, after which the issue of its release will be decided.” " Soviet photo", No. 1 for 1940. Fokin Mikhail.
Collectors identify many more devices based on less significant features, which include inscription technology, metal processing method, etc.
Don't rush to laugh! Better read: link.
After the war technical documentation was transferred to Krasnogorsk Mechanical Factory, where the production of these cameras under the Zorkiy brand was soon established.
So we can distinguish three stages:
1. Production under the FED brand with the KMZ emblem applied
2. Production under the brand name FED 1948 Zorkiy
3. Production under the Zorkiy brand
All Zorki cameras have a standardized working distance, which eliminates the need for individual adjustment (as was the case with pre-war FEDs).
Ergonomics:
I will write about the ergonomics of the device in more detail, with a view to novice amateur photographers, so more experienced enthusiasts can skip this section.
So, first you need to understand that this camera does not have any electronic aids. This is both a plus and a minus, since you are not tied to the battery charge (since there are simply none here), but, at the same time, you must be able to set all the settings yourself. The following tables (from instructions dated 1937) can help you in this difficult matter:
And 8 more facts about the FED apparatus:
1. The device has a mount for accessories, but it does not have the ability to connect a flash.
2. There is also no self-timer.
3. Setting shutter speeds is possible only after cocking the shutter.
4. Focusing is done using the rangefinder viewfinder, and the frame is framed through a parallax viewfinder.
5. The camera has a simple frame counter, which should be set to “zero” each time it is reloaded.
6. It is possible to connect a release cable.
7. The camera has a tripod socket.
8. The tube lens is very compact when folded.
Thus, the full photographing cycle has the following algorithm:
1. Cocking the shutter
2. Setting shutter speed and aperture values
3. Focusing by rangefinder
4. Framing a frame through the viewfinder
5. Descent
Moreover, it is worth noting that although FED implies interchangeable optics, this is a rather thankless task, since in addition to the lenses itself, you will also need revolver viewfinders.
Helpful advice:
When purchasing, check for the presence of a take-up reel! It is located inside under the bottom (and only) cover of the camera on the right. This is a black metal tube. Without it, you will not be able to use the camera.
More detailed information can be found here: FED Instructions
Why buy?
FED, at the moment, is more of a collector's camera than a work camera. Zeniths, located in its price category, boast interchangeable optics, focusing through the viewfinder, a trigger mechanism for cocking the shutter, etc. and so on. However, FED has a number of advantages, not all of which I can describe and list.
The main advantage is compactness. A FED with an assembled lens takes up significantly less space than, for example, a Zenit V with a miniature Industar-50-2.
The second advantage is reliability. FED is only afraid of strong humidity (since the curtains can become damp) and cold (since the mechanism will simply freeze in the cold). These “fears” are inherent in many cameras, so the FED is not an unpleasant exception here. Otherwise, it has a fairly unpretentious design.
Despite the fact that a lot of time has passed since the late 40s and more advanced cameras have appeared on the market, for me the FED remains a good unit for leisurely shooting. Believe me, I have worked with many cameras, including the legendary Nikon F4, Nikon F3, Nikon FM2, Yashica Electro, 35 GSN, etc. etc., but not once did I have the desire to get rid of the old FED.
Verdict? I think that you should hold this camera in your hands yourself, and you will see. Technically, this device is outdated (although it is still superior to Smenya) - that’s a fact. Its descendant - FED 2, for example, has a synchro contact, a self-timer, a combined viewfinder with a rangefinder, as well as significantly faster Industars, which, of course, leaves no chance for the old man, but personally to me It's more pleasant to work with the first one.
I understand that this is a rather vague recommendation, so I am ready to answer all your questions without exception.
Examples of photographs (from the family archive):
Contrary to all of the above, experts claim that the progenitor of the legendary “FED” is not a “Leica” at all, but another Soviet-made camera, which was created long before the German model. This camera was called "Cyclops". Its developer was Korneliy Yevtushenko, an engineer at the Kharkov Optical Society. Yevtushenko first presented “Cyclops” back in 1906. They say that the model enjoyed incredible success even abroad, where German specialists could use it and design their own Leica camera based on the Cyclops.
In 1913, a talented engineer improved his invention. The Cyclop Lux model acquired a built-in optical viewfinder and gained the ability to change lenses. Several cameras were even purchased by members of the family of Emperor Nicholas II. However, the well-established production of domestic photographic equipment was hindered by revolution and war.
In the old days, a FED camera could be seen in the hands of an amateur photographer almost everywhere. In the USSR it was generally accepted that this technique was an exact copy of the legendary German Leika. Many believed that Soviet engineers completely dismantled the original and created a copy of it, but this is just a legend that does not correspond to reality. Our article will help you find out how it really was.
Prototype
The Soviet FED camera cannot be called a copy of the Leika for one simple reason - it had a real prototype, created back in pre-revolutionary Russia. Development began in 1906, and soon the brainchild of engineer Korneliy Yevtushenko entered mass production. There is reliable information that “Cyclops” (that’s what this chamber was called) was used at the court of Emperor Nicholas II.
In 1913, it became possible to install an interchangeable lens on the camera, as well as make a number of improvements, during which the viewfinder was modernized. The cost of the miracle of technology was 120 rubles, but this did not interfere with its popularity both in Russia and abroad.
Around the same time, in Germany, work began on a new camera. It turns out that “Cyclops” was several years ahead of “Leika”. This is what became the prototype of the FED.
Story
At the very beginning, the FED camera was assembled by hand by pupils of the Dzerzhinsky children's colony in Kharkov. Several thousand cameras were produced in 1934.
In 1938, the second model was released - FED-S, equipped with a set of shutter speeds. By the beginning of the 50s, the manufacturer’s model range was already quite wide.
During the war, production was moved to Berdsk, and in 1946 the camera began to be produced at the Arsenal plant in Kiev. In 1948, production returned to Kharkov. Subsequently, the Kiev line was slightly reformatted, first the FED-Zorkiy camera rolled off its assembly lines, later finally renamed the Zorkiy.
Name
Many amateur photographers of our time try unsuccessfully to decipher the abbreviation. What does the name of the legendary camera mean? But every Soviet person unmistakably guessed in these letters the initials of the famous security officer Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky, after whom the camera was named.
Curtain shutter models
The first model of the described camera is sometimes called not exactly what it was called according to the technical data sheet. No FED-0 and FED-1 ever existed; the first release did not have any numbers in the name at all. But the second model was already marked with a two, then this tradition continued.
FED-2 (1955) was equipped with a synchro contact, telescopic viewfinder, and rangefinder. This camera had several modifications, some of which were produced in limited editions. The body was covered with high-quality leather of different types.
Some modifications of the series had a self-timer function and a trigger shutter.
The FED-3 camera was produced from 1961 to 1965. It was hammerless and equipped with an Industar lens, which was progressive at that time. Subsequently, several more camera models were released with indexes 5, 5B, 5C, 6 TTL. They differed in details, but overall the design was approximately the same.
All of these cameras were equipped with a curtain shutter, an optical viewfinder, and had a removable back panel.
Cameras with central shutter
The first model with a central shutter was published in 1964. It was the FED-10. After 3 years, its brother appeared with index 11. The difference between them was that the first of them was produced with a bayonet mount, and the second with a fixed lens. Both cameras were equipped with optical viewfinders with a rangefinder.
Shutter-diaphragm
Along with the listed models, cameras with aperture shutter were also produced. The series included several models, some of which were not put on free sale at all, since they were produced in a minimum quantity.
The unusual FED camera deserves special attention. The instructions stated that this camera, equipped with two lenses, was designed for shooting stereoscopic images.
This is the only stereoscopic camera in the entire model range. By the way, the technology was developed back in 1854 by the Russian engineer Aleksandrovsky. All modern equipment using 3D mode operates on the basis of this invention.
Value in our time
Today, when every fourth family has some kind of FED on the mezzanine, selling most of these cameras is problematic. For collectors, and especially for photographers working with film, this technique is not of particular interest. On average, the cost of a FED camera is several hundred rubles. But we're talking about, of course, about production models. Not much time has passed to consider these cameras as antiques. Rather, they can be called outdated. But still, the FED is one of the symbols of the Soviet photo industry and even the entire USSR. If you want to buy a similar thing for the ambiance of a cafe, as a prop for photography, or simply in memory of old times, you can easily find it at a flea market or in a local amateur photography club for 500-700 rubles.
But an old FED camera from the 30s-40s, and even in working condition, will cost much more. Its price often reaches 5-15 thousand rubles. Limited edition cameras decorated with genuine leather are rare and are even more expensive.
You can find them only at auctions and in special stores. Such models are valued by collectors not only in the post-Soviet space, but also abroad.
