Leica copy based upon what exactly?

[m4malious]

Hi,
Anyone able to confirm what camera this copy is based from?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FED-1-ST...937555806?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item2ec8cfc75e

 

[Landshark]

A Leica standard.

The creature in the pictures was made from an old FED and in no way is it collectable or worth $300.00.
But then again, if you like it the mans time has to be worth something.

 

[wolves3012]

I have to disagree slightly with Landshark. Based on how some of these creations do sell, there is a market and there are collectors. The camera was once a FED 1, not from the '60s as claimed but from the '30s to 50's latest. Largely a matter of personal taste, it's not really going to fool any Leica collector. It's worth $300 if someone buys it at that price, although that certainly won't be me.

At least it bears some resemblance, I have seen a "gold Leica" that was a re-engraved FED 2 - a camera that really doesn't look much like any Leica model.

 

[Dez]

There have been several Leica Standard copies surface on ebay lately, made from FED or Zorki cameras. Most of them are ridiculous, with pseudo German military markings, and/or "gold" plated. But some are straight copies of the old RF-less Leica, and seem to be attractive for what they are. Quality seems to be as good or maybe better than the hordes of Leica II copies out there, and their price is generally a lot higher. The most obvious thing that gives them away in listing photos is the too-high circular piece under the shutter dial; evidently the FSU mechanism is taller than the Leica original. I'd buy one for a hundred bucks if I could.

This particular example is a bit farther over the top than most.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[m4malious]

Thanks for the responses.

My question wasn't maybe so clear - I know this is a copy (and certainly not something I'd be buying) but I'm trying to identify the original Russian model that has no rangefinder and a trapezoidal box viewfinder....

Or are these guys making the viewfinder assembly new and tearing off the tops of FED1s and sticking on the "Leica-y" bits?

Thanks,
M

 

[farlymac]

That bubble level is probably to cover the hole from the rangefinder arm. And it looks like the "Wetzlar" is screen printed. If I were to send him my Zorki 1D/B, do you think he would do as good a job covering it? That is a beautiful application of walnut burl.

PF

 

[David Hughes]

Thanks for the responses.

My question wasn't maybe so clear - I know this is a copy (and certainly not something I'd be buying) but I'm trying to identify the original Russian model that has no rangefinder and a trapezoidal box viewfinder....

Or are these guys making the viewfinder assembly new and tearing off the tops of FED1s and sticking on the "Leica-y" bits?

Thanks,
M

Hi,

I think they are just taking the RF off and putting on new copies of Leica-ish bits to convert it into a sort of standard FED-Zorki-Leica clone.

I've often wondered what a basic FED or Zorki 1 from, say, the 50's would look like as a straight forward black paint or chrome version with the engravings etc filled in properly; making a posh or up-market version. A pity no one's tried it instead of ruining perfectly good cameras to make these jokers.

Regards, David

 

[Luddite Frank]

Were there no Russian versions of the Leica I / Standard then ?

 

[wolves3012]

Were there no Russian versions of the Leica I / Standard then ?

Simple answer: no

 

[wolves3012]

Thanks for the responses.

My question wasn't maybe so clear - I know this is a copy (and certainly not something I'd be buying) but I'm trying to identify the original Russian model that has no rangefinder and a trapezoidal box viewfinder....

Or are these guys making the viewfinder assembly new and tearing off the tops of FED1s and sticking on the "Leica-y" bits?

Thanks,
M

There is no original FED without an RF. The top has been removed from a standard FED 1 (Leica II "copy") and the VF and stuff added.

 

[m4malious]

hmmm...interesting.
So, where does the viewfinder they use come from?

 

[Scrambler]

Just a guess, but why not the FED they cannibalized for the body? Just need a simple box mount for the existing VF.

 

[Dralowid]

There is no original FED without an RF. The top has been removed from a standard FED 1 (Leica II "copy") and the VF and stuff added.

At the risk of causing a row I believe there were a few very early prototypes before the first Fed I that looked like a Leica I.

In my memory I think I have seen a photograph somewhere. I will search sometime.

The fun of these copies is trying to work out where they have taken the 'viewfinder' from!

 

[Dralowid]

hmmm...interesting.
So, where does the viewfinder they use come from?

Some use Balda or Welta. This one looks like something else.

 

[Dralowid]

Found it!...scroll down to 'Soviet leicas'

http://www.fedka.com/Useful_info/Commune_by_Fricke/commune_A.htm

Thanks Fedka!

Michael

 

[wolves3012]

Found it!...scroll down to 'Soviet leicas'

http://www.fedka.com/Useful_info/Commune_by_Fricke/commune_A.htm

Thanks Fedka!

Michael

Fascinating! Not entirely clear from the article but I read it that only 30 "Leica A" examples were made. If that's so, I'd say that it would be a fool that sold one as a Leica Standard copy, since it would be worth a lot more in original form.

 

[Dralowid]

The chances of finding one are effectively zero.

Now, it won't be too long before they start producing reproductions of very early Feds with 'galvanised' finish, no accessory shoe and smooth covering.

(and a lot of far more difficult to achieve details)

But as you say, an early Fed is worth considerably more than its contemporary Leica.

 

[Lawrence Sheperd]

Well, now I know where Rodchenko's screen name comes from!

 

[Rob-F]

I enjoyed looking at this copy. I think it's fairly attractive, albeit phony as the day is long. But then, they do admit it's a copy. Not bad, as copies go. If it were not missing the accessory shoes, it would be pretty darn good.

I also enjoyed the seller's efforts as English:

"The factory did not let out similar cameras is a modern mining alteration
When in a collection there are all cameras that would be desirable that still - new
These cameras are made in single copies

As it is quite possible to photograph and to surprise the friends"

The syntax difference between Russian/Ukrainian and English must be formidable. I really can't make it out, but I give them an "A" for effort.

 

[archive59]

There is no original FED without an RF. The top has been removed from a standard FED 1 (Leica II "copy") and the VF and stuff added.

No original FED without a rangefinder but there is the Zarya which is a FED 2 with just a viewfinder. Not that it looks anything like a camera Leica ever made.