did they actually put rangefinder focusing mechanisms in Kiev rangefinders?

[rbsinto]

My rangefinders are Nikons, but I've always been curious about the Kievs if for no other reason than that they are a low-cost body with similar controls that can share my Nikon S-mount lenses that are wider than 50 mm.
However, in the three years I've been looking at Kievs in pawn shops and at photo swap meets, I've never found a single one with a working rangefinder. I'm beginning to wonder if they actually ever built any that had them.

 

[Willy Elder]

SHHHHHHH!!!

Don't ever make a post like this again.

It's a huge practical joke. EVERYONE on this forum is in on it.

Of course, Kievs never had rangefinders, but we like to trick everyone who comes to RFF and make them think so.

When another sucker buys a Kiev and finds out it has no rangefinder.....HA HA HA HA!!

Got it?

My rangefinders are Nikons, but I've always been curious about the Kievs if for no other reason than that theyare a low-cost body with similar controls that can share my Nikon S-mount lenses that are wider than 50 mm.
However, in the three years I've been looking at Kievs in pawn shops and at photo swap meets, I've never found a single one with a working rangefinder. I'm beginning to wonder if they actually ever built any that had them.

 

[rbsinto]

SHHHHHHH!!!

Don't ever make a post like this again.

It's a huge practical joke. EVERYONE on this forum is in on it.

Of course, Kievs never had rangefinders, but we like to trick everyone who comes to RFF and make them think so.

When another sucker buys a Kiev and finds out it has no rangefinder.....HA HA HA HA!!

Got it?

Wow! I guess this means now I'm a member of the Inner Circle since I've been let in on the secret. When will I be getting my Decoder Ring and learning the Secret Handshake?
Not to worry. my lips are sealed and I won't tell a single soul.
Cross my heart and hope to die.

 

[dexdog]

Um, it's June 1st, not April 1st😀

 

[Rhodes]

Um, it's June 1st, not April 1st😀

But it's children day! (at least here...)😛

 

[photobizzz]

Both my Kievs have RFs....I think I got the special Jena model 🙂

 

[Spider67]

Seems to be the "Curse of the FSU"......In my case I could not find a single affordable working Zorki 1 over the last 20 years! When I had my basic Zorki experience (VF and RF separated) it was with a 20 $ Zorli C.
As for Kievs.......Just think of the dumbstruck faces of the Soviets when they realized that they had taken the wrong camera factory Contax and not Leica. So the truth is out: Contax was a huge diversion of Leica to protect themselves! except a decoder ring a tinfoil hat also maybe handy....

 

[acheyj]

Whats a rangefinder ?

 

[Doug]

I'll just be sober here and note that the Kiev RF window is farther to the right (as you hold the camera) than on a Nikon. You have to be more careful to keep fingers out of its way.

I've had only three or four Kievs, but have not found one with RF problems... except stray fingers. 🙂

 

[Murray Kelly]

It's a map with ground altitude marked on it. Look for the looong raised bits.
Murray

Whats a rangefinder ?

 

[pinafore2]

They don't, but nobody told the Kiev's so they act as if they do and that works fine, but don't say it loud they might hear !

 

[wolves3012]

My two work perfectly well, nice and accurate with good patches. I thought dodgy RFs was not a Kiev trait.