I liked the FED-2 film camera, but the copy was not good. I was looking for a good FED-2 copy, but I found a Zarya (Заря, Dawn) camera:
It is a simplified version of the FED-2. It lacks of a self-timer and a rangefinder. Focusing is done by a distance scale. However, the Zarya has the M39x1/28.8 mount, so it is possible to use M39 rangefinder lenses (with scale focusing, of course).
The mechanics of the Zarya are very similar to the FED-2, but the appearance is quite different (and unusual for me). The viewfinder placement eliminates horizontal parallax. And the higher coldshoe allows for easier access to the shutter speed knob with an accessory attached.
The Zarya was produced between 1959 and 1961 (1959-1960 I think). So it has the modern shutter speed values: 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 (+Bulb).
The first digit of the Zarya's serial number stands for the year of production: 9 for 1959 or 0 for 1960. My copy is from early 1959, it has some specific early details (the viewfinder, the advance knob, the coldshoe, the film pressure plate).
Now I have two M39x1/28.8 film cameras: the Zorki-6 and the Zarya.
See also related notes:
- Certos rangefinder (A) (2025-08-15)
- Zarya: Details of the rare 1959 version (2025-05-19)
- Zenit-S: film SLR camera (2025-03-31)
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