A 35mm film camera from approx. 1959
About
This camera is a FED-2, a classic 35mm rangefinder camera manufactured in the Soviet Union by the Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky factory in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
The 1959 Type D is highly regarded by vintage camera enthusiasts because it represents a "sweet spot" transitional era for Soviet rangefinders.
Features
Standardised Shutter Speeds: This was the first FED-2 variant to switch to the modern, internationally standardized shutter speed sequence: 1/30s, 1/60s, 1/125s, 1/250s, 1/500s, plus B (Bulb). Older versions used the continental sequence (1/25, 1/50, 1/100, etc.).
Low-Profile Accessory Shoe: Being an early 1959 Type D, the camera features a flush, low-profile cold shoe on the top plate. By 1960, the factory raised this shoe to clear the housing better.
Superb Rangefinder Base: The FED-2 is legendary for its extra-long 67mm rangefinder base. This wide distance between the two viewfinder windows makes focusing incredibly precise — ironically much more accurate than the later FED-3, 4, or 5 models.
Removable Back Cover: Unlike the older bottom-loading FED-1 (which strictly copied Leica), the FED-2 features a fully removable back cover secured by two locking keys on the bottom, making modern film loading a breeze.
Self-Timer & Flash Sync: This model includes a mechanical self-timer lever on the front faceplate and a PC flash synchronisation socket located on the upper top plate.
Technical Specifications
Film Type: Standard 35mm film (135 format)
Lens Mount: M39 Leica Screw Mount (LTM)
Standard Lens: Typically paired with an Industar-26M 50mm f/2.8
Shutter: Horizontal cloth focal-plane shutter
Viewfinder: Combined rangefinder/viewfinder with a diopter correction lever under the rewind knob
If you are buying one beware the golden rule...
Always cock the shutter (wind the film knob completely) BEFORE you change the shutter speed. If you rotate the shutter speed dial while the mechanism is uncocked, you can permanently bend or break the internal mechanical pinions.
The 1959 FED-2 is a beautifully mechanical, battery-free piece of photographic history. If the cloth shutter curtains are still light-tight and the slow speeds aren't gummy, it is fully capable of shooting gorgeous, tactile imagery today.
Source
Purchased from a Ukrainian eBay seller in January 2026. I haven't used it yet, but it looks like new and all functions operate.
