Review: FED 2 (1955)

[eckmanmj]

As part of the 5th anniversary of camera reviews on my site, I am going back and updating several of my earliest posts, including this one for the FED 2.

I was pretty positive in my original review for the camera in December 2014, but how has 5 years (and a totally different FED 2) changed my opinion?

Check out my review with an all new history section, new artwork, new pics, and a new gallery!

https://www.mikeeckman.com/2019/12/fed-2-1955/

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have very high doubts it is from 1955. I hope the rest in your revue is accurate.

 

[eckmanmj]

I have very high doubts it is from 1955. I hope the rest in your revue is accurate.

The FED 2 most certainly made it's debut in 1955:

http://sovietcams.com/index.php?1883986375

My particular camera is a later variant, likely from 1963.

 

[Huss]

My Fed 2 looks little different. One day I hope to get it back..

 

[Huss]

Very nice article Mike, really enjoyed reading it. I have a Kiev 4, Zorki 4 and the Fed 2. While I like the Kiev the least, for some reason I like the Fed slightly more than the Zorki. It's just..charming.

 

[eckmanmj]

Very nice article Mike, really enjoyed reading it. I have a Kiev 4, Zorki 4 and the Fed 2. While I like the Kiev the least, for some reason I like the Fed slightly more than the Zorki. It's just..charming.

I have all those and agree with your praise of the Zorki. The larger viewfinder really helps, especially people like me with poor vision.

Regarding the Kiev, I encourage you to give it another try, but with an auxiliary viewfinder. I found that once I attached a viewfinder to the accessory shoe, my appreciation for that camera grew tremendously.

 

[eckmanmj]

My Fed 2 looks little different. One day I hope to get it back..

Yours is exactly what my first one looked like. Without seeing the serial number, yours was likely made between 1958 and 62.

 

[nzeeman]

ages ago i was searching for logic in fed numbers and after long comparing offers online i made some groups for fed 2 so maybe you find it interesting
(1955-1956) 008*** - 115*** (type A w/o flash sync, w/o selftimer)
(1956-1957) 136*** - 437*** (type B with sync, w/o selftimer)
(1958-1960) 480*** - 868*** (type C1 with sync, with selftimer, mushroom knob)
(1958-1963) 1114*** - 2330*** (type C2 with sync, with selftimer, mushroom knob, new speeds, name in cyrillic)
(1963-1969) 2381*** - 9911*** A026*** - A087*** (type C3 and D with sync, with selftimer, mushroom knob, new speeds, name in cyrillic and latin)

 

[nzeeman]

so since your is in 3rd million-it seems every year from 63-69 it moved by one million more less so probably it is late '63 - early '64