The
Zarya is one of the
examples of an original Soviet design. Zaria,
which means Dawn in Russian, is the only 39 mm screwmount FED without
a rangefinder. The camera was manufactured by FED from 1959 to 1961. It
is basically a FED-2 of the same vintage without a rangefinder and a self
timer (the flash synch is still there). Its Galilee viewfinder is bright
and clear and has a magnification of .75x.
It accepts any 39 mm lens made
for a FED or a Zorki (of course, it will accept any Leica threadmount
lens as well).
- Shutter speeds are B, 1/30
- 1/500.
- Lens - Industar-26m, 50/2.8,
coated. The lens has is RF coupling ring, it is not used in a scale
focusing Zarya, but will couple to a RF cam of any SM Leica or Leica
copy.
The Zaria is very simple to use
and to service. It has a bare minimum of controls on the uncluttered top
plate, it is relatively light, has a solid feel and nice handling. This
camera was made for the domestic market and is quite uncommon outside
the borders of the former Soviet Union. McKeown's catalog has a picture
of the Zaria (it is listed in the FED section).
The camera comes with a take-up
spool and a leather case.
Zarya is a nice user and a desirable
addition to your Russian collection. You can try any Leica lens on a Zarya
and use its sharp Industar-26m with any screwmount Leica.
? 2001
fedka.com
Text and photograph
