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FED-3 (50 years Russian Revolution Anniversary)

I got this camera from one of my wife's friends, who very kindly volunteered to give me her camera once she learned that I use old film cameras. Much to my amazement, my wife returned home holding a FED-3 type b but a model that commemorates the 50 years of the Russian Revolution. FED was never good at keeping track of their serial numbers unlike Germans but with the anniversary models, FED kept a basic numbering system, mainly starting with 67xxxxxxx (1917+50=1967) and they did the same with the lens's too. I managed to find some more info on ussrphoto.com. "Although soviet camera industry produced a lot of commemorative cameras, only very few Fed's were among them. That's why an anniversary Feds becoming very scarce nowadays. To commemorate the "Great October - 50" Fed issued three cameras: Fed-3b, Fed-4b and Fed-11 Atlas with special engravings. The Atlas is very uncommon.
Although mass-market Fed cameras have no date prefix in their serial numbers, the commemorative Fed-3b has special serials both on camera body and Industar-61 lens.This camera was also released, without engraving, in a special commemoration box. [...] these cameras also had the prefix 67 to the serial number. "

Other than that, the FED-3 is pretty similar to the FED-4 I used to have. Having to choose between the two, I would go for the 3. It is a bit less bulky (no lightmeter) and it looks prettier to my humble opinion. The lens (Industar-61) suffers from the usual dry lubricants and there are plenty cleaning marks - to the point that i am thinking to remove the coating. Everything else seems to be working just fine.

Update: I might be spreading rumors now but since i read it, I thought it will be a good idea to record it also. Back in the early 90's a businessman in America had this great idea to start importing FSU cameras, mostly FED's and Zorki's - think of something like the forerunner of FEDKA. He was buying the cameras in bulks and the idea was that if the cameras required a CLA then he wouldn't sell them as the price of a CLA would not worth it. Surprisingly most of the cameras which needed to be CLA'ed were the FED-2 's and the Zorki 4(K), cameras that are very sough after today. The ones that did not needed CLA were the FED-3 (both a and b models) and the Zorki 6. He does not mention anything about Kievs so I would imagine that he did not import them at that time. Still, an interesting opinion to consider even if your opinion varies.


Conclusion

Everything I wrote for the FED-4 applies to the FED-3 too. I like the 3 better, looks nicer, feels less bulky and it is a special anniversary model. It definately stays with me, big thanks to Victoria for giving me this camera, I promise that it is going to be used alongside the Leica, Zenit and Canon.

Comments

  1. Mike27 November 2011 at 08:56

    My FED-3 hasn't gotten the use of some of my other Soviet cameras due to being a bit bulkier. However, it is the smoothest working of all without any effort on my part. The removable back makes film loading trouble-free, and it also lets me easily check the collimation of screw-mount lenses; something that is nearly impossible with any of my other Leica-style cameras.

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