How can we know our Kiev's true age?

S

Semushkin

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How can we know our Kiev's true age, since the serial number is on the accessory shoe that can be unscrewed? How do we know it is not a Franken-camera consisting of parts from various ages?

Same goes for lenses I suppose...
 
There is probably no guarantee that such a thing might not happen. Generally, Kievs, and most other FSU cameras, have serial numbers in which the first two digits are the year of manufacture. The number is usually on the back of the body, but in cases in which it was placed in the accessory shoe, you probably just have to trust Lady Luck. It's probably useless to worry about it.
 
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I myself have transplanted optics from a late black J-8 into an early silver (aluminium) body from '61 or so. I just happen to like the earlier type of mount better.

So to answer your question: there is absolutely no guarantee that the Kiev accessory shoe is original or that the lens' nameplate hasn't been changed.
 
The Kiev's age

The Kiev's age

I think a study of the differences of the camera as i develops during the production period can very welle be carried out on the internet. There are many sites wich shows differences in the early and later models and i do not believe it could be common to build a camera from scratch.
For example the engravings on the side of the bayonet drum was dropped in 1964, the adjustment screws for the rangefinder lenses in 1966.
 
That was HARSH - The Kiev's a fine camera with a wonderful bunch of lenses out there and to associate this camera with fossilized crap is unseemly at best! But as humor, it was pretty damn funny.
 
januaryman said:
That was HARSH - The Kiev's a fine camera with a wonderful bunch of lenses out there and to associate this camera with fossilized crap is unseemly at best! But as humor, it was pretty damn funny.
Click to expand...

Hey, just cracking wise. I have a Kiev, it's nice. I also had a Zorki which fell into pieces, and I just picked up a Fed 5, which has a rather bright viewfinder and rf patch, and doesn't smell too much like yak hair and tractor gear lube.
 
You hope the smell is from yak hair and tractor lube.


:D

Of the FSU cameras I have and had, the distinct aroma seems to be mainly from the case and as the later cases don't appear to be leather, that aroma isn't noticeable to me with the FED5 I have.
Of course that could just mean that my olfactory nerves have quit in self defense...

As for the O.P.'s question, I don't think there is any way to have an absolute certainty about the real age; this is where finding a reliable dealer becomes important.

Rob
bmattock said:
Hey, just cracking wise. I have a Kiev, it's nice. I also had a Zorki which fell into pieces, and I just picked up a Fed 5, which has a rather bright viewfinder and rf patch, and doesn't smell too much like yak hair and tractor gear lube.
Click to expand...
 
bmattock said:
Hey, just cracking wise. I have a Kiev, it's nice. I also had a Zorki which fell into pieces, and I just picked up a Fed 5, which has a rather bright viewfinder and rf patch, and doesn't smell too much like yak hair and tractor gear lube.
Click to expand...

heh heh heh - I figured, but with some time to kill I thought I'd jump into the discussion and see what kind of fray developed. We all seem pretty mellow, though. A Fed 5, huh? Trying to be the person in town with the ugliest camera ever designed by man? (Ok, I'll stop.)
 
januaryman said:
heh heh heh - I figured, but with some time to kill I thought I'd jump into the discussion and see what kind of fray developed. We all seem pretty mellow, though. A Fed 5, huh? Trying to be the person in town with the ugliest camera ever designed by man? (Ok, I'll stop.)
Click to expand...

That was actually kind of what I was thinking. I looked at the thing online and went, whew, that camera is uglier than home-made soap. With a face like that, I'll look like Burt Reynolds next to it.

I need to finish the roll of film I have in it and see what it can or cannot do. Maybe this weekend...
 
bmattock said:
That was actually kind of what I was thinking. I looked at the thing online and went, whew, that camera is uglier than home-made soap. With a face like that, I'll look like Burt Reynolds next to it.
Click to expand...
There's always competition from Argus. ;)
 
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