Early Fed 1 s/n 4304

Dralowid

Dralowid

Michael
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Folks,

On Ebay UK there is an enigmatic early Fed I, first engraving, no shoe 'galvanised' type finish etc.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270567793222&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

A few things worry me:

1 There is no collimation plug on the back of the camera...I would expect one, would you?

2 Rf/vf portholes are chrome, would you expect blackened brass?

3 Covering is odd...comments appreciated.

The opinions of those who have something to compare it with would be much appreciated. My earliest camera is a few thousand further on.

None of this is intended to be a criticsm of the seller who I have bought from, quite happily, before.

Thanks in advance

Michael
 
Coverings for the early cameras vary, see http://fotos.cconin.de/kameras/fed1.htm at the bottom for a similar texture.

The collimation plug should be there.

I get the impression that this camera had a repair job in the past, where some more things were changed than just the rangefinder cam - the viewfinder and rangefinder collars look like they are from a newer camera, and maybe the body shell, too.
 
Interesting find.
I would agree with the points rxmd makes.

(At first I thought the 'new' skin might have altered the back,
but it does not look like a re-cover job - IMO)
 
Michael, your observations about the plug and bezels are correct. There were different coverings tried with the 1a but because there is no hole (disappeared with 1b around s/n 12500), something is wrong- either a later body with new covering (all 1bs and later were vulcanite only) or original body with hole covered by new covering.

Also, the shutter speed dial is the smaller diameter that first appeared around s/n 19700. I would also expect a 1a lens to be full rotation type, not the half turn fitted to this camera ie, it is possibly not matched to the body if you intend to use it for photography. However, the lens is very early because of the finer cross hatch milling on the front panel - my guess is early 1b prior to about 24000.

At the best, this might be an authentic camera with some newer bits. Or it may be a parts special. My personal take is that it is more 1b than 1a. The shutter crate is the correct brass and it has the tab mounting screw (disappeared around 47000) but from photos of 1as and 1bs, it is more consistent with a mid 1b s/n particularly the shape of the tab for the baseplate lock. On the plus side, the knobs have the finer milling of the 1a and very early1b.

Altogether, nothing conclusive but I certainly wouldn't pay top dollar. Early 1bs also cost a bit and aren't that common so on that basis, I would consider this an interesting buy if you can get it at a good price.

(A couple of other posts have come in since I started this - essentially we all agree)

Good luck,
Paul
 
Thanks all for your advice,

The one pictured below is currently the oldest that I have. Much as I would like to add an earlier version I will not go overboard on bidding for the Ebay camera...it's certainly not 'right' though it is interesting if a little 'rough'.

Michael

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s/n 4304 just sold for $577.89.

Now I am used to Leica prices but is this something of a record for a Fed?

Michael
 
Dralowid said:
s/n 4304 just sold for $577.89.

Now I am used to Leica prices but is this something of a record for a Fed?
Click to expand...

Not really, at that point they're rare cameras, collectors' items as any other.

I'd have paid less for THIS one, though, given the parts that are in all likelihood or explicityl non-original, but apparently some people didn't mind.
 
Yup, I was thinking $350 tops...but then what do I know? Or to put it another way, what did the succesful bidder know that I didn't know?

Michael
 
This one didn't sell (yet) http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FED-Type-Ia-...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a594b267f

Overpriced? Perhaps but it indicates the sort of numbers that some collectors are willing to get to for a rare item. This is a slightly later one with satin chrome aready (correct, although the transition continued into the 1b) rather than "galvanised" finish (really, brushed chrome to hide finishing imperfections). For a 1a, it may be considered rarer - don't know.

Cheers,
Paul
 
I've been conned! I looked more closely - its a 1b. The only difference between a late 1a and early 1b is the engraving. Both probably have the half turn lens already.

Cheers,
Paul
 
Talking about prices, here's an offering from the forthcoming Westlicht Auction (I have no connection!), looks like a bargain by comparison with Photo Arsenal.

Michael



LOT 299
FED / Zorki Cameras (various)
small collection of 5 cameras and 8 lenses, (1) Fed no.453784 with Fed 3.5/50mm no.1464, cap, case, (2) Fed no.147139 with Fed 3.5/50mm no.134479 (in fine condition), case, (3) Zorki no.277789 with Industar-22 3.5/50mm no.5305565, case, (4) Zorki no.649937 with Industar-22 3.5/50mm no.0170701, (5) Zorki no.55150710 with Industar-22 3.5/5cm no.5128425, (6) Elmar 3.5/50mm fake no.100374, (7) Fed 3.5/50mm no.140363, (8) Jupiter-11 4/13.5cm no.5701032 Condition: B
EUR 400-500 (Estimate)EUR 200 (Start price)
 
Well to be honest none of those cameras and lenses is particularly interesting for collectors.
 
rxmd said:
Well to be honest none of those cameras and lenses is particularly interesting for collectors.
Click to expand...

Indeed, the point that I was making was that I was surprised to see them in this 'elite' auction at all.

rxmd, I ought to apologise, my wife often tells me that I am far too oblique. 'How can people understand what you are trying to say if you don't say it clearly' she says.

'Where's the fun in that?' says I.

Michael
 
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