FSU rangefinders—export or internal model?

[okto]

Is there a consensus as to whether USSR-internal or export models of FSU cameras are preferred, in terms of reliability or QC issues?
I would rather have a Russian-badged one, because it seems more authentic for it to say ФЕД than FED, but did the Soviets build better cameras for export than they did for their subjects?

 

[wlewisiii]

I personally doubt it matters anywhere near as much as some would suggest. I've had both & both have had thier good & bad days. The bigger key is to buy from a trusted source. Myself, if I want a FSU bit, I buy it from Fedka. It will cost more than from some other places, but it will _work_. That's more important to me than if it says CCCP or USSR on some little plastic bit.

Your milage will, of course, vary.

William

 

[mike goldberg]

I also have not found that it makes much difference.
And, as the guys above say, buy from a trusted source.
Fedka is one of the best.

 

[wolves3012]

Allegedly, the export models were better made. From my collection I'd say that isn't true. One difference may be that UK examples passed through T&OE, who checked them before selling, although I don't know enough to say if that made a real difference.

 

[Blank288]

Well, In my experience it doesn't make any practical difference at all.

Interesting question, by the way. I've thought a bit about what 'export' really has meant in FSU times. Maybe initially FSU camera manufacturers produced their 'export' badged cameras (marked in roman lettering in stead of cyrillic) mainly for their former allied countries behind the Iron Curtain with 'roman-spelled' languages, as Eastern Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland etc.? I can't imagine this would have influenced FSU principles on quality control very much.
As far as I know, export to western nations (via TOE etc.) only reached massive quantities around the seventies. Perhaps quality controll could have been improved for imago reasons in this (seventies) era?

Perhaps a bit cynical approach. Maybe someone with some more insight in the matter could elaborate?

 

[dee]

It's more important to buy from a trusted seller - mine from Oleg [ OK photocameras are good , as are those from altai , though even there a couple got through the quality control - the point is that they fix what is adrift .
I have even bought lovely pretend Leicas from moscowphoto - and who knows how many cameras were combined to make one as new camera !
It seems that it's similar to buying a classic [ formerly old junk ] '' classic car '' it's condition and history which coumts - not the precise year and model .
dee