ФЭД Заря - Индустар-26м
After finally finishing the roll of Kodak T-Max 100 in the FED Zarya, I can talk about the results… It has taken months to get through the film for different reasons. Sometimes the conditions were not right for T-Max, and other times there were more interesting cameras loaded that took priority over the FED.
The Zarya was only produced for a short time between 1959-61 by FED in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and is a stripped down version of the FED-2 without rangefinder focusing and self timer. It has an M39 screw lens mount and came with the Industar 26M 50mm f2.8 lens, and relied on scale focusing.
FED Zarya
As mentioned, I shot a roll of kodak T-Max 100 black & white film with mixed results! Strangely some came out well, whereas others shot at the same time at the same settings did not! For example - I shot 14 frames along the coast on one morning and half of them had a bright patch in the centre of the image!
FED Zarya - Kodak T-Max 100
The bright patches were not the only issue, another is the viewfinder - where the rear is circular and the front rectangular you have to have your eye very close to get your framing. Most of the shots needed straightening to correct the horizon. Zone focusing is not a problem as you get used to it when using old cameras, and I managed to gauge this one perfectly…
FED Zarya - Kodak T-Max 100
These two shots of a very cool old Renault 4 sat on the side of the road shows the random bright patch more than any other. The settings were exactly the same, and shot within 30 seconds of each other. I cannot explain it at all! It was raining with no sign of the sun, but at least one worked out well.
FED Zarya - Kodak T-Max 100
FED Zarya - Kodak T-Max 100
Another reason why it took so long to get through the roll, is it is not a particularly interesting or fun camera to use - but I guess that is the effect of removing features from the FED-2. I bet that is better to use with it’s rangefinder and also it is better looking! Obviously the look and feel make the shooting experience better.
FED Zarya - Kodak T-Max 100
Suffice to say I will not be using the Zarya again due to it’s inconsistences, and viewfinder but glad I bought one to use.