Buttershug
Member
Hi there,
just wondering if those items sometimes listed as 'Contax copy' are any different to a simple Kiev. I'm looking specifically at a Contax IIa copy - it's badged up as a 'contax' - but I've always assumed they're just a 'cosmetically adjusted' Kiev - is this the case?
Thanks for any feedback.
best,
David.
just wondering if those items sometimes listed as 'Contax copy' are any different to a simple Kiev. I'm looking specifically at a Contax IIa copy - it's badged up as a 'contax' - but I've always assumed they're just a 'cosmetically adjusted' Kiev - is this the case?
Thanks for any feedback.
best,
David.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
Yes. They are simply altered Kievs.
William
William
ErnestoJL
Well-known
All Kievs share a lot of commonality with a "generic" Contax appearance, then many sellers would name them as "Contax copies". They are in fact close factory made copies but show some slight differences. All those named "copies" are nothing else than standard Kievs.
Old Kievs (2 and 3) were closer to the Contax II/III both in style and appearance.
Newer Kievs have a mix between old Contax II and IIa features, but at first sight they look as a C II / III.
From Kiev 4 onwards, the double latch back lock is similar to the Contax IIa/IIIa, while they still keep the long RF base of >90 mm (the C IIa and IIIa have a shorter RF base). They look like more as a Contax III than a IIIa.
The Shutter is the same style (in fact a copy) of the old Contax shutter, with brass folded curtains, while the Contax IIa and IIa have aluminum curtains. Besides design of the shutter timing mechanism is very different as well as the shutter dial assy.
Then you can find a Kiev 4 which is a mix between some of the features of both Contax generations (pre and post war).
Besides, there are also some incompatibilities with lenses, so using old and new Contax lenses, as well as new and old Kiev lenses would pose some problems.
If you look for a camera as close as possible to a Contax IIIa, then (IMHO) look for a Kiev 4, preferably made between 1960 and 1970. This is easy to check as the first two figures of the serial number is production year. Supposedly in those years the best examples were produced, Later production models may suffer from QC lack.
Ernesto
Old Kievs (2 and 3) were closer to the Contax II/III both in style and appearance.
Newer Kievs have a mix between old Contax II and IIa features, but at first sight they look as a C II / III.
From Kiev 4 onwards, the double latch back lock is similar to the Contax IIa/IIIa, while they still keep the long RF base of >90 mm (the C IIa and IIIa have a shorter RF base). They look like more as a Contax III than a IIIa.
The Shutter is the same style (in fact a copy) of the old Contax shutter, with brass folded curtains, while the Contax IIa and IIa have aluminum curtains. Besides design of the shutter timing mechanism is very different as well as the shutter dial assy.
Then you can find a Kiev 4 which is a mix between some of the features of both Contax generations (pre and post war).
Besides, there are also some incompatibilities with lenses, so using old and new Contax lenses, as well as new and old Kiev lenses would pose some problems.
If you look for a camera as close as possible to a Contax IIIa, then (IMHO) look for a Kiev 4, preferably made between 1960 and 1970. This is easy to check as the first two figures of the serial number is production year. Supposedly in those years the best examples were produced, Later production models may suffer from QC lack.
Ernesto