FED Micron
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The FED Micron[1]; (ФЭД Микрон) is a half-frame 35mm viewfinder camera made in the USSR by FED. It is a "close copy" of the Konica Eye[2]. Approximately 120,000 were made between 1968 and 1985[3].
It has automatic exposure controlled by a selenium meter around the lens, and limited manual override. In the automatic mode, both aperture and shutter speed are selected automatically. The shutter speed, between 1/30 and 1/800 second, is shown in the viewfinder on a needle-meter. If the light is insufficient, the speed scale turns red and the shutter will not release. If an aperture value is set manually, the shutter speed is automatically set to 1/30; this is the extent of the manual exposure control. The lens is a coated Helios-89 30mm f/1.9. Its minimum aperture is f/16. The lens focuses to 1 metre. The focus scale on the lens shows actual distances, and the focus is shown on a second needle-meter in the viewfinder, on a symbol scale (it shows symbols for a portrait, a three-quarter portrait, a group, and infinity).
The film speed is set with a knurled wheel by the viewfinder. The range is 16-250 GOST (approximately ISO 18-300). Film advance is by a lever, with a frame counter window, and rewind is by a folding crank. The shutter release button has a threaded socket for a cable release, and there is a 1/4 inch tripod socket in the base. There is a PC socket but no flash shoe. There is a single lug for a wrist strap, and the camera was supplied with a lined vinyl case. Early models have a hinged back and a painted ФЭД Микрон on the front; later models have engraved ФЭД on the top plate and Микрон on the front, and a removable back.
The Fed Micron 2 is a full-frame 35mm rangefinder camera based on the Micron, made between 1978 and 1986, with a CdS meter. It has an Industar-81 38 mm f/2.8 lens. The maximum shutter speed on this model is only 1/650 second. It has a hinged back.
The Micron 2 was superseded by the FED 35.
Notes
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| FED Mikron Olympic image by schyter (Image rights) |
Links
- FED Micron user manual (pdf) (in Russian) at USSRPhoto.com
- The Electronic Cameras page on Nathan Dayton's Communist Cameras includes the Micron, Micron 2 and Fed 35.
- FED Micron photos including early hinged-back Micron, on DVD Technik store's collection pages.
- Mikron and Micron 2 on Aidad Pikiotas' SovietCams
