FED S (1956–1958)

The FED S is a Soviet 35mm rangefinder built in Kharkov, Ukraine, as an updated FED 2. It was made for a short run from 1956 to 1958 and is considered a relatively rare model. It introduced a combined rangefinder/viewfinder - a new, larger bright-line type. The lens is an Industar-26m 50mm f/2.8 in an M39 screw mount, with helical focusing down to 1 meter. The body is a zinc alloy casting with a non-removable back. The focal plane shutter runs from 1/25 to 1/500 plus B, and the PC socket syncs at 1/30. Early examples have a separate slow-speed dial. Audiocraft (April 1956, p.24) notes that audio systems of the era often needed careful cable routing and interconnection to avoid interference.

The record on this model is thin in places. Production quantity is uncertain, with sources citing either around 30,000 or about 45,000 units. Nobody has confirmed what the “S” stands for. No original retail price has surfaced, and there's no documented service manual detail beyond what owners have reported over the years.

The FED S sits between the FED 2 and FED 3 in the line. Like all FED cameras, it was named after Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky, founder of the Soviet secret police. Known issues are viewfinder desilvering, stiff film advance, inaccurate shutter speeds as the lubricants age, and deteriorating leather covering. On the plus side, the Industar-26m is sharp stopped down, and the metal construction is solid. Collectors pay a premium for early serial numbers. Working examples typically sell for $100 to $200, while non-working ones go for $30 to $50.