A very small commentary about the Contax/Kiev grip

[ruben]

Ok, now I have two overhauled-by-me Kievs 4am, with which I am doing my street roaming. Overhauled but one problem still unsolved: highly uneven frame spacing. Big gaps at the beginning and overlapping at the end of the roll.

But here I wanted to say another thing, related to the famous Contax gripping. When shooting and for several weeks, I noticed different problems in viewing the image, mostly at nights.

Recently I discovered the source. Although I was using the Contax way of gripping, due to my somewhat long fingers, I was still partially blocking the small window with one of my fingers.

After noticing it, and taking that finger away, the viewing is perfect for what iso 1600 can catch.

But the solution is a bit unfortunate. My right hand palm cannot any more contact and grip the camera body, as due to the length of my fingers I had to distance my right hand further away from the camera.

So as far as my right hand goes, I have to hold the camera only by my fingers. Of course there is a left hand too, holding the camera from below and gripping the lens distance ring as well - not exactly what the manuals show.

To consolate me, or you, the only thing I can say is that fortunately I am used to stretch my arms into my chest and stomach.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[acheyj]

Hestitate to offer advice to someone with your expereince Ruben. Had to adjust the take up spool tension with my fiirst Kiev. Its a slotted screw inside the forks. I used an old film and with the lens out and on brief time marked the film with a pencil till I got it right. Believe there is a special tensioning tool fo measure the tension on Contax /Kiev.

ron

 

[ruben]

Thanks Ron,
Kindly never hesitate, otherwise I will end speaking with myself. I have dedicated a lot of time and continue trying. Take into consideration it is a 4AM model, in fact two samples, with the same problem. The film I put inside and I am using now, is a tryial to see if by adding pressure from the pressure plate, it may help. I.e., regarding THESE models, my suspiction falls on relaxed pressure plates allowing the take up spool to overcome the srockets.

I came to it, both by changing the pressure of the fork in both directions without results, but primarily by comparing aferwards the look of previous models pressure plates with those of my two 4AMs. By comparison. the latter looked tired or sick.

When I finnish both films, I will see and report.

Now, give attention to the fact that I am doing the wrong thing in fighting with the 4AM models, instead of older models of better quality, which I do own. I didn't know it when I begun, and I am already invested in time with them. But if I don't get any improvement of the frame spacing in these films, I will have to start preparing a pair of older models from scratch - and it is a LOT of time.

Thanks,
Ruben

 

[ruben]

Well, two rolls after, so far my suspiction proved right. The undertension of the plates of the Kiev 4am is an element in causing wild frame spacing. Therefore I overtensioned it even further, although there is no much room for that.

When I compare the back of a Kiev 4am and the one of a Kiev 4a, I notice many differences in quality and design.

Another shortcomming I notice in the Kiev 4am is the small sprockets, protruding somewhat less than in other models. It will be of interest to know how to disassemble this part and change the sprockets, with others from older models. I lack the info.

Cheers,
Ruben