Yet another M39x1 rangefinder 35mm film camera. This time it is the ФЭД-2 (FED-2).
The FED-2 (1952-1970) was a direct competitor to the Zorki-6 (1959-1966). Both are M39x1 rangefinder cameras. On the one hand, both are very simplified (no slow shutter speeds, no light meter), but on the other hand they have the coupled rangefinder, which is combined with the viewfinder, and the rangefinder base length is quite long (due to the lack of a slow shutter speed mechanism). This is one of the advantages of these cameras.
Note that the 1969-1970 FED-2 is a different camera with a different design and appearance (it's a stripped-down version of the later FED-3 with an advance lever/crank), its rangefinder has a shorter base length.
I think the pre-1969 FED-2 is overall the best practical camera in the FED line. It is quite usable (unlike the earlier ones) and at the same time looks nice (unlike the later ones). The lack of a light meter is not a problem today (at least you can use a mobile application instead).
My FED-2 is the PE0400 version. It's characteristic is the dark red (wine) color, a flash sync terminal on the front panel near the lens mount, a new design of the shutter speed dial, and the lack of a self-timer. This version was produced only in 1957. I was especially looking for this FED-2 version because I like non-black colors and the front panel without a self-timer: it makes the camera look more vintage.
This FED-2 does not have a film advance lever/crank. You have to turn a knob to advance the film and cock the shutter. It is not a fast action, but I like the feel of the old days.
This version allows you to change the shutter speed before and after the shutter is cocked. But some early versions may require you to cock the shutter before changing the shutter speed.
Like the Zorki-6, the FED-2 has five shutter speeds (not including Bulb). But this version uses an old shutter speed scale: 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500. The updated scale (1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, similar to the Zorki-6) is used from 1959.
The shoe mount is "cold", but there is a sync terminal (from 1956).
There is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (under the rewind knob).
It is a very good thing, but the adjustment can easily be changed by accident.
Unlike the Zorki-6 (where the film door is used), the FED-2 has a removable back (film cover).
It is nice to have a tripod mount close to the lens mount.
It is a 3/8" ("big") thread mount. To mount the camera on a modern tripod, an adapter to 1/4" should be used.
I like the FED-2 better than the Zorki-6: the design, the look, the feel. And as I said before, the Zorki-6 is too similar to some Zenit SLRs, which I do not like very much.
My FED-2 camera looks like a good copy. The shutter works, but in cold weather there are some problems with slow speed (at least with 1/25). There were also some minor problems with the rangefinder (which I fixed).
And I had some questions about the reliability of this copy. I also found some minor damage that the seller didn't mention. After some negotiations, I returned the camera.
So once again I have no 35mm film camera to use.
See also related notes:
- Zarya: Scale focus film camera with interchangeable lenses (2025-01-28)
- Film camera: Pentax K instead of M39x1 (2024-03-14)
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