FSU camera newbie

Avotius

Avotius

Some guy
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Dec 5, 2005
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Ok so I was in a 2nd hand camera store today (with the worlds biggest a****** behind the counter) and took a look at a keiv. I dont know which one it was, but it was the one that looks like the contax camera with no meter on the top. Anyway, it was in horrible shape but what really impressed me was the size of the 50 2.0 lens and the very quiet shutter (quieter then a leica m7 it seemed). Anyway the example I was looking at was well past redemption (not to mention the guy wanted 450 US dollars for it, lens scratched to hell, viewfinder broken, focus patch not showing, rusted...etc etc) but it got my interest. Now im kind of interested in one of these Russian's since a the zeiss ikon didnt work for me and used bessa's are more then I want to spend.

Anyway, im interested, what do I need to know and what kind of price range should I be looking at? Um....the 50 f2 lens I saw today would be fine, or whatever is the best one (best reputation I guess). I dont know which kiev to look for, if it shows frame lines for the 50mm lens, anything. Framelines I guess are pretty important because I like to look around my compositions and thats my biggest reason for liking rangefinders. All I know is ive seen some nice photos around with the russian lenses (jupiters or industars or something) and it would be nice to have a range finder that I can switch lense with. Eventually I would like to go something better...say bessa r2 if I can find one in my price range, so compatibility with the lenses would be a plus.

But anyway, I dont know anything about these cameras except that they were made in the Soviet Union...somewhere a few hundred miles north of me.
 
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Hi, I dont have a kiev, but I think 80 to 130 dollars should get you a good one with J-8.

But if you are looking for compatibility with bessa R or M-mount camera, I would recomment getting a Russian LTM camera, such as Zorki 4 or 3. Which have a really good viewfinder.
 
Avotius said:
Ok so I was in a 2nd hand camera store today (with the worlds biggest a****** behind the counter) and took a look at a keiv. I dont know which one it was, but it was the one that looks like the contax camera with no meter on the top. Anyway, it was in horrible shape but what really impressed me was the size of the 50 2.0 lens and the very quiet shutter (quieter then a leica m7 it seemed). Anyway the example I was looking at was well past redemption (not to mention the guy wanted 450 US dollars for it, lens scratched to hell, viewfinder broken, focus patch not showing, rusted...etc etc) but it got my interest. Now im kind of interested in one of these Russian's since a the zeiss ikon didnt work for me and used bessa's are more then I want to spend.

Anyway, im interested, what do I need to know and what kind of price range should I be looking at? Um....the 50 f2 lens I saw today would be fine, or whatever is the best one (best reputation I guess). I dont know which kiev to look for, if it shows frame lines for the 50mm lens, anything. Framelines I guess are pretty important because I like to look around my compositions and thats my biggest reason for liking rangefinders. All I know is ive seen some nice photos around with the russian lenses (jupiters or industars or something) and it would be nice to have a range finder that I can switch lense with. Eventually I would like to go something better...say bessa r2 if I can find one in my price range, so compatibility with the lenses would be a plus.

But anyway, I dont know anything about these cameras except that they were made in the Soviet Union...somewhere a few hundred miles north of me.
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450RMB or less...

Anyway, you can check out the prices from www.fedka.com or www.okvintagecamera.com
 
hi will, I havnt been to hong kong yet, seems like a good place to pick up 2nd hand cameras, but everyone warns me never to buy a camera in hk because they are all fake, whats up with that?
 
Keep in mind.......this is just my opinion. I would get a 1965 or earlier Kiev 4. The reason is because I've read somewhere that quality control went down from then on. I know lots of members here have perfect working examples dated much later though.

I personally like the Kiev 4 better than the 4AM. I like the extra weight, and the hump where the light meter is (usually not working or accurate anymore) will grow on you. Anyway, if you like the look of the 4AM you can always get the parts needed to change it.

I haven’t been in the market for one so I can’t give you an accurate price. If you get one from Fedka expect to pay more. For the extra money you’ll be getting a good working camera. I got mine from *bay. I think I paid $60 USD total.

Anyway, here's a good link to learn a little more about Kiev's.
http://www.keithberry.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/kiev-4.htm
 
Avotius said:
hi will, I havnt been to hong kong yet, seems like a good place to pick up 2nd hand cameras, but everyone warns me never to buy a camera in hk because they are all fake, whats up with that?
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A fake FSU camera? That must be really collectible :)

I dont think they exist.
 
I went over this for a very long time for my own purchase. I ended up with a couple of Fed-2s. Very nice cameras, very usable.
Buy one from one of the known sellers you find here. Fedka, ok Photocameras...you'll pay more, but you'll get a working camera.
The auction site ukranian roulette game can be terribly frustrating and you may very well end up sending a camera for repairs anyway.
 
As w3rk5 said.

I recommend you also to get a pre-1960 model. Those are much more solid and with a better finish. It might be an isolated opinion, but I've had several of them in my hands already.
 
Aviotis

You should be able to make a e-bay purchase from a Russian or E. European seller a lot cheaper than $450, unless you go for a prototype model from 1947 or 1948, which are expensive, they are rare - 2000 off, the first two characters of the serial number give the year of manufacture of the body and lens.

The watershed on cosmetics happened about '72 - before then they look much like Contax (if you get a meterless camera). The meters will still work - my '54 Kiev III is still accurate enough from chrome film, and apart from name on face plate could pass for a Contax. Before 72 you get leather and chrome like Zeiss, and may have the infamous 'zeiss bumps'. But a post '80 model has a better deesigned lens even if the chrome is poorer looking.

There are innate problems derived from the Zeiss origional, the shutter ribbons snap with wear or lack of use, the Russion grease turns into wax and the camera jams consequently. But they are built for maintenance with only a set of watchmakers screwdrivers, (and sewing needle for the shutter ribbon). You might have to strip and remove all the wax relubricate and rebuild...procure replacement ribbon, etc. The techniques are on RussPinchbecks site...

The jupiter 8 (j8) or later J8M or later helios 5cm normal lenses are all fast lens and pre-WWII design ('35), the Helios is larger 1.8 and comparable with Jap/Ger 70s glass, one appreciates the Russions ripped off the leitz design.

The shutter can be noisy if it is badly adjusted, but quiet if in nice condition. the other (Russian) lenses & viewfinder can be cheap.

When you buy cheap from e-bay you probably wont get a lens cap/ take up spool, case etc. and the camera may have faults, alternatively you might want to buy from a forum member, I accept that postal purchase is difficult, it is no better in UK.

Noel
 
Avotius said:
...Anyway, im interested, what do I need to know and what kind of price range should I be looking at? Um....the 50 f2 lens I saw today would be fine, or whatever is the best one (best reputation I guess). I dont know which kiev to look for, if it shows frame lines for the 50mm lens, anything. Framelines I guess are pretty important because I like to look around my compositions and thats my biggest reason for liking rangefinders...
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Weclome to the world of fsu cameras! Ebay will give you a good estimate of the going prices of each model, but as others have suggested you might be better off paying more through one of the sellers mentioned. On the other hand, I have had no trouble on ebay when buying from fsu sellers with good reputations here.

None of the Kiev models have framelines, so that is something you should keep in mind since that is important to you. Very few of the fsu cams have framelines... none of the common feds, zorkis or kievs do...

Good luck with your search!

Peter
 
darkkavenger said:
You will be probably intrigued at how to use the Kiev first, but once you'll try it, you'll love it!
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Hi Max,
Sound infectious!!and a little dangerous for the Bank balance!,but then most FSU gear is usually a bargain!:)
Brian.
 
Avotius said:
hi will, I havnt been to hong kong yet, seems like a good place to pick up 2nd hand cameras, but everyone warns me never to buy a camera in hk because they are all fake, whats up with that?
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nan.. you can't fake a camera.

Impossible to buy FSU over here, only one shop have it, and it's expensive. For the same amount of $ you can pick up items in better conditions off FSU ebay sellers or even Fedka (NY base).

Honestly, I think the HK used market is crap, expensive and low quality (or really expensive but good quality, but it the same everywhere). If you are looking at an entry level RF gear, get it locally in China, so the seller is accountable. If you are looking at brand new items, but all means go to HK.
 
w3rk5 said:
Keep in mind.......this is just my opinion. I would get a 1965 or earlier Kiev 4. The reason is because I've read somewhere that quality control went down from then on. I know lots of members here have perfect working examples dated much later though.

I personally like the Kiev 4 better than the 4AM. I like the extra weight, and the hump where the light meter is (usually not working or accurate anymore) will grow on you. Anyway, if you like the look of the 4AM you can always get the parts needed to change it.

I haven’t been in the market for one so I can’t give you an accurate price. If you get one from Fedka expect to pay more. For the extra money you’ll be getting a good working camera. I got mine from *bay. I think I paid $60 USD total.

Anyway, here's a good link to learn a little more about Kiev's.
http://www.keithberry.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/kiev-4.htm
Click to expand...

I don't know why, I tried a Kiev 4, and a contax IIIa, just don't feel right. But everytime I handle a Leica III, it just felt so right in my hands (twice, both were IIIG, one minty and one crappy condition).

Still, don't have either of the camera, but would love something like a LTM camera. Just need one good one...
 
Will said:
I don't know why, I tried a Kiev 4, and a contax IIIa, just don't feel right. But everytime I handle a Leica III, it just felt so right in my hands (twice, both were IIIG, one minty and one crappy condition).

Still, don't have either of the camera, but would love something like a LTM camera. Just need one good one...
Click to expand...

I agree. After years as a passionate advocate for Soviet cameras, I bought a IIIf, now in exquisite condition. I have never known so completely perfect a camera. Yet amongst Soviet products, I'd suggest that the FED 2 perhaps comes closest to the III in terms of handling and that elusive ergonomic excellence that makes a camera a tactile joy. It might be worth checking one out as a temporary LTM fix :)

Cheers, Ian
 
Jocko said:
I agree. After years as a passionate advocate for Soviet cameras, I bought a IIIf, now in exquisite condition. I have never known so completely perfect a camera. Yet amongst Soviet products, I'd suggest that the FED 2 perhaps comes closest to the III in terms of handling and that elusive ergonomic excellence that makes a camera a tactile joy. It might be worth checking one out as a temporary LTM fix :)

Cheers, Ian
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Ian, w3rk5;

Ever look for older gear, for the "raw" experience?
 
Will said:
Ian, w3rk5;

Ever look for older gear, for the "raw" experience?
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Will, I've been using Soviet RFs for 22 years, and some of my other cameras are three times older than that - most were very cheap, which usually also meant nasty :)

After 2 decades of raw, and loosing almost all my pictures this summer due to a screwed up FED, some cooked is very pleasant!

Cheers, Ian
 
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