Things may be returning to normal in the Spike household; an indicator being my resumption of forays into eBay in search of stuff I don’t need, and don’t even want unless the foray is accompanied by alcohol.
A recent film outing with friend Tic (me, with my Yashica, Tic with his rather delectable Leica), reminded me what a different and fun experience shooting film can be.
The Yashica is an object of lust, but a rather large object of lust. Somethings smaller to carry around would be appropriate. The only option is my Kiev; but at nearly a kilo it’s no lightweight. What would be ideal would be a really old Leica; something like this:
But old Leicas are not a cheap option, and I like cheap options; so it was time to cast my eyes towards Russia (again).
The first Russian 35mm camera was a copy of the Leica 1 and was produced in 1933. The camera was called the FED, “first produced by the F. E. Dzerzhinsky Labour Commune in Kharkov, then the capital of the Ukraine. Initially a colony for the rehabilitation of youth, the commune had been created as a memorial to Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky, founder of the Soviet secret police” (quote courtesy of sovietcams.com). Not sure about the labour conditions in the camp; but the FED was a big success, selling in various forms for more than twenty years.
Plenty for sale on eBay and $64 got me this:
It’s a 1950s (either 1952 or 1955, depending on which source I consult; anyway it’s old) Fed 2; bearing more than a passing resemblance to the Leica II. Haven’t put a film through it yet; but everything seems to work OK; and it is 30% lighter and significantly less bulky than the Kiev.
It’s compactness is helped by the fact that the lens collapses back into the body when not in use.
The FED 2 is a compact and cute rangefinder camera for not a lot of money; what could be better? The answer, after some rather potent sparkling wine and another session on eBay, is two FED 2 cameras; the second one currently negotiating with the Ukrainian postal service. Will someone please stop me?
Comments 🔗
2014-10-26| Chang Noi saysDid anyone (except SWMBO) manage to stop you from doing foolish?
2014-10-26| genuinej says“…after some rather potent sparkling wine…” !!! I thought you’d become an alcohol free zone.
2014-10-26| Spike saysMy grannie. She’s dead.
2014-10-26| Spike saysNever confuse booze with meat young man, it can get you into all sorts of trouble.
2014-10-26| Grant says…especially when you insist on demanding another glass of steak…