Fed Micron

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Lotari

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ФЭД-Микрон - Fed Micron​

A Russian half frame camera. Automatic exposure with selenium cell meter, shutter speeds 1/30 - 1/800s + B. Helios-89 30/1.9 lens.
I had read about this camera earlier, and when there was one on a Finnish auction site, I decided to buy it. There's something with the half frame format that fascinates me.. Seller wasn't sure about the selenium cell as they have a tendency of fading, but fortunately this one seems to work.

I haven't shot more than one roll yet (hey, that's still 75 exposures!), and I used it mostly to just check the exposure, so there aren't that many pictures to show yet..

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It's quite small camera, about the size of Olympus XA, except for the protruding lens of course. As with many other soviet cameras, this one is quite heavy too, about 450 grams. Built quality is good and the camera feels sturdy.

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To me, this is the heart of the camera, Helios-89 30/1.9 lens and the selenium meter. I don't have much experience on half frame lenses, so I can't say how sharp the lens is, but it's signature is quite nice.. Even though it's multicoated, it flares a bit, but that's not a bad thing for me, I've been looking for "glowing" lens..

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Focusing and exposure are on the lens barrel. Both have small tabs in them which helps quite a bit as they are thin rings close to each other. Focus ring clicks at 1, 1,5, 3 and ∞. Exposure ring has positions for A, B and apertures between 1.9 and 16. Unfortunately aperture section is mostly for flash photography, as it works only with exposure time of 1/30s.

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On top of the camera there's window for the film speed, which one can adjust from a roll at the back. Film speed is in soviet GOST system (GOST - ISO/ASA conversion table), unfortunately it can be adjusted only between 16 and 250, so low light photography is a bit restricted.. Also there's a nice CCCP logo, just to remind you every time you look in the viewfinder..

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In the viewfinder one can see the exposure time and focusing distance (in fancy symbols).

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This table shows the depth of field with different apertures and focusing distance. The table under it shows how Micron's shutter time and aperture go hand in hand from 1/30s and f/1.9 to 1/800s and f/13.


So, that's how this small soviet wonder looks and works. Hopefully this thread helps if someone is looking for info on Fed Micron. Later I'll try to post some photos taken with this camera..

And if someone's interested, these photos were taken with Pentax *ist D and M50/1.4.
 
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fyi, the Micron is pretty much a copy of the first version of the Konica EYE half-frame. (Just as the Micron 2 is a copy of the Konica C35).
 
Hey Lotari! Did you take that shot from the hietalahti beach yesterday, because I swear I saw the same people playing ultimate in that exact same spot when I was there!

The photos of the camera are beautiful and you're lucky to have a working selenium cell. I just bought one with that kind of metering too, the Petri 7S, from the Hietalahti's flea market for only 10 euros. Sweathog was actually with me there. :)
 
fotobiblios said:
fyi, the Micron is pretty much a copy of the first version of the Konica EYE half-frame. (Just as the Micron 2 is a copy of the Konica C35).
Click to expand...

Googled a little bit and yes, this is definitely a straight copy of Konica EYE! Interesting.


Mattikk said:
Hey Lotari! Did you take that shot from the hietalahti beach yesterday, because I swear I saw the same people playing ultimate in that exact same spot when I was there!

The photos of the camera are beautiful and you're lucky to have a working selenium cell. I just bought one with that kind of metering too, the Petri 7S, from the Hietalahti's flea market for only 10 euros. Sweathog was actually with me there. :)
Click to expand...

No, I took it earlier, a week or two ago. Hietsu is a nice place to photograph, people are relaxed there..
 
Comment on CCCP sign - it were supposed to be put on products as "conforms quality standards of CCCP". So you have quality EYE replica :)

All in all, selenium cells usually survive when covered with lens cap or in camera bag. Though it's worth to check it against some trusted meter to know if it's off and how much.
 
my number one camera in terms of number exposures is another Koni-half - a totally beat-up Konica AA35 half-frame (Japanese version called Recorder) which I keep on car dash - I figure it's gone past 60,000 exposures over 20 years which says a lot for reliability - 75% already discarded and I'm now trying to whittle down to 500 shots only - all colour slides taken through car window.

Not a pretty camera but AF, auto wind and wide angle, sharp lens and 'flat' so easy to shoot without using vf - so why do I have expensive gear when this is the productive one, giving me the best results??
 
fotobiblios, I have AA-35, not use it much [especially compared to you] but can't part from it. That flat pad concept is too good, by any means this is camera at least worth trying. Right, 24mm eq. instead of usual 28mm on half-format. And Konica is another company which made cool cameras.

Like on compacts of that era, release button isn't very informative...but hey, as full auto it's quite OK.
 
I bought one of these from the same Finnish auction site half a year ago. It's been travelling in my pocket since. I have to say, it's performing really nice, I was expecting something quirky to come out of it.

Half frame happiness:

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I missed my tram in the morning rain:

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I have a Fed Micron, and a Fed Micron 2. Purchased from eBay through Russian sellers. They came brand-new in the box -- impressive!

They are really fun cameras to use. The lens quality on the Micron is really quite good -- like you mentioned, the camera seems to be very well-built. Solid metal and good quality parts everywhere.

I found the scale focus took a while to get used to but otherwise the camera worked fine.

Here's a shot of my baby:

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And here's a sample photo:

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My biggest problem with the Fed Micron is that it takes SO INCREDIBLY LONG to finish a roll of film!
 
I use 12 exposure rolls in my half frame cameras. Most 12 exposure rolls will yield 14-15 shots in a 35mm SLR and so somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 shots in a half frame. That's more then enough in most cases.

I think I should get one of these Microns. They look great and I love that they do a 1/800th shutter speed. Even my Pen FT only does 1/500th max.
 
I received the processed film from the lab... it was unexposed...

I tried loading a new one, but the camera does not progress the film if it is on tension...

any ideas???
 
I was thinking of getting a Chaika, but the dealers are seperating the lenses from the cameras, and selling them to unsuspecting full-trame shooters (I've been told they vignette badly on a full-frame camera). However, the Micron II looks to be more my speed, as it has the CdS meter, and isn't garnering much attention from the fashionistas.

PF
 
varchs said:
I received the processed film from the lab... it was unexposed...

I tried loading a new one, but the camera does not progress the film if it is on tension...

any ideas???
Click to expand...

Did you make sure the film gets properly engaged on the windup spool? Next time load it and with open door take a couple of exposures to make sure it pulls the film properly.
Fer micron and micron 2 have an odd way of engaging the film on the windup spool.
 
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