Beginner's questions

Sorry: should have verified the 40oz Jupiter-numbers (I normally just use focal length and aperture).

28/6 = Orion 15
35/2.8 = Jupiter-12
50/1,5 = Jupiter-3
50/2 = Jupiter-8, Jupiter-17
50/2.8 = Industar-26, Industar-61
50/3.5 = Industar-22, Industar-50
85/2 = Jupiter-9
135/4 = Jupiter-11

From Foto Lyubiteli, Minsk, 1964

Apologies,

R.
 
payasam said:
One Jupiter 11 spoken of here is actually the J-9, while the other is actually the J-12.
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Yeah, I fixed it. That's what you get when using random numbers to "name" lenses.

My only point was that the Jupiter lenses are not bad at all, and priced far below their worth. The fact that they aren't the absolute best lenses for everyone ever made is no serious indictment. How many different 50mm's are there in the world?
 
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I would recommend also am ltm FSU as "tinkering" is much easier eg setting the Rangefinder.
Buy the lenses as long as they are obtainable as you can see the prices are on the rise I am a bit bewildered when I see J 9's in ltm going for the same price as my Nikkor 85/2.
If FSU lenses can be used wide open without any additional collimating is a matter of long and tiresome discussions!
Anyway enjoy it they are nice pieces to handle!
 
Using FSU cameras is an adventuure. and can be a very fun adventure too!! It can be a really interesting adventure if you go the route of ebay especially. I have four kievs one fed 5 and have had problems with only one kiev 4a, that said. If one is looking for nikon or leica quality, then they might as well skip FSU cameras, of course plan to pay lots of money for the leica and nikons M"s abd SP's and lens. Unless the cameras are users or you get a really good deal!, if you are looling to get by on the cheap, FSU is the way to go. A middle path might be vintage Canon rangefinders from the 50-60's- definitly cheaper than leicas and Nikons...

But one unmentiond big plus with FSU cameras is- if you bring one to a gallery opening or party, expect all sorts of gals to ask about your strange looking (kiev 3) russian camera!!!!! ( great icebreaker and way to meet chicks!!! It worked for me and I didn't even plan it that way!) _-Michael
 
But one unmentiond big plus with FSU cameras is- if you bring one to a gallery opening or party, expect all sorts of gals to ask about your strange looking (kiev 3) russian camera!!!!! ( great icebreaker and way to meet chicks!!! It worked for me and I didn't even plan it that way!) _-Michael
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Most any camera will do 😉 I've had good experience even with Canon EOS Rebel some 5 years ago. And we're still together (with my gf, not with the camera 😎)
 
"My only point was that the Juipter lenses are not bad at all."

Quite right, 40oz. My J-12 never ceases to surprise me, and my J-3's test results have been excellent after Kim Coxon fixed it.

[edit] All my cameras attract the girls, but now they call me "Uncle".
 
Sorry to drag this back up, but I've got what is probably a silly question that I didn't feel merited a new thread.

The manual for the Kiev says to turn the film advance wheel clockwise in order to advance the film and cock the shutter, which is all good and well, but how far do you turn it? Is there an indication of when the shutter is cocked? Does the wheel stop when the shutter is cocked, or can you over-wind it? I realise that this question is going to sound mighty stupid, but I'd hate to try and advance the film and end up stripping gears or something.

So, how should advancing the film and cocking the shutter, for lack of a better term, "feel"?
 
Keiv Purchase.

Keiv Purchase.

I have 4 FSU range finders a Zorki 1, Zorki 4, Fed 2 and Kiev 4M. All work fine, aside from the fact that the meter on the Kiev is off by about 1 stop. All were purchased from 4 different sellers in both North America and the FSU, I guess I was just very lucky, but then again at less that 20 bucks a pop, in my opinion it was worth the risk.
Kevin
 
Whateverist said:
The manual for the Kiev says to turn the film advance wheel clockwise in order to advance the film and cock the shutter, which is all good and well, but how far do you turn it? Is there an indication of when the shutter is cocked? Does the wheel stop when the shutter is cocked, or can you over-wind it? I realise that this question is going to sound mighty stupid, but I'd hate to try and advance the film and end up stripping gears or something.

So, how should advancing the film and cocking the shutter, for lack of a better term, "feel"?
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Turn the wheel until it stops. The stop is pretty firm; you'll know when you're there. You should be able to see the set shutter speed on the dial, so turn it until the wheel stops, which ought to be on that shutter speed. My 2 Kievs seem to have two stages of winding. The first stage will feel softer, then the winding will seem to tighten as the shutter is cocked.
 
The first stage will feel softer, then the winding will seem to tighten as the shutter is cocked.
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So... is the first stage the bit until the "pretty firm" stop, and the shutter cocking starts after that?

EDIT: never mind, I think I got it 😉 Everything seems to be working allright, the rewind wheel turns as I wind the camera and the counter goes up. I was afraid I messed up the film loading, since it's the first time I ever loaded any film and the leader didn't fit the take-up spool, but all seems to be well, I hope.

Is it normal that, after shooting an image, the wheel has a bit of resistance before it starts turning again?

Shooting a picture sounds weird - I was expecting a dry click, but it's more like a smooth buzzing noise.
 
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If I remember correctly, the first part of the wind advances the film and the second, stiffer part, is cocking the shutter. Don't know about resistance in the film-advance knob after shooting ... probably nothing. Remember that the Kiev is a pretty complicated mechanical object, and the newest are 20+ years old. Might need a CLA.

The Kiev/Contax shutter has a unique sound, especially if the slow speeds are engaged.
 
it wasn't the 1966 from Soviet by any chance ?
It was still on the list and my daughter tried to buy it for me - but now needs a refund !!!
The pre 70s models are much better !
Good luck with it .

dee
 
I'm afraid it might have been that '66. I ordered it over three weeks ago, but it seems to have lingered on the site a bit longer than expected.

Don't know about resistance in the film-advance knob after shooting ... probably nothing.
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It went away when I changed the film. Advancing the film and cocking the shutter is now one smooth movement. Thanks for the reassurance 😉
 
No problem , Whatever .. i missed the K 3a too !
i am deelighted that you like it - my K 4 is fantastic too !
[ maybe I will buy a '52 Kiev 2 instead !!! ]
 
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