Disabling infinity lock on Kiev 4

Fricetix

Photography obsession
Local time
10:19 PM
Joined
Oct 23, 2011
Messages
19
Hi, guys :)
I have a question about Kiev 4.

Is there a way to disable infinity lock, but without digging deep into the camera, just by removing the front mask. I don't want the lens to lock itself when I turn it to infinity.
I liked it at first but when I started to shoot street, It takes time to unlock it.
First, I try to rotate the lens. Then I realize it's locked. Then I have to press that little button right next to the focusing wheel. It's kinda slow.
And yeah, I'm using the Kiev/Contax grip. I kinda like it :)

I saw infinity lock mechanism when I removed the front mask but I haven't tried to figure it out because I wanted to paint the mask. (BTW painting failed, it fell off :)
If someone knows a way to do it, I'd be very thankful.

And BTW, does removing the front mask exposes the film to light because I have film right now in my Kiev?

Thanks again.
David :)
 
You do realise that by disabling the infinity lock will make changing lens harder than it should be?
But if you want to try it, you can jam something on the lock near the lens. No need to do anything permanent.

About the re paint, you will have to remove the chrome first if you want a good result, the paint just won't stick to the chrome.

Cheers,
dave
 
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tape it down? don't use my kiev very often but when I do I hold it with middle finger (I don't really focus with it) while index finger is on the trigger

Alex
 
look on the front of your Kiev. There's a little switch/lever poking out near the viewfinder corner beside the lens.

Press down the infinity lock button and stuff a small piece of very compacted, crumpled paper in there. Push it in firmly with a toothpick or sewing needle or pencil or whatever.

Simple as that. Now the infinity lock is disabled. You can re enable it any time by pulling out the paper.
 
look on the front of your Kiev. There's a little switch/lever poking out near the viewfinder corner beside the lens.

Press down the infinity lock button and stuff a small piece of very compacted, crumpled paper in there. Push it in firmly with a toothpick or sewing needle or pencil or whatever.

Simple as that. Now the infinity lock is disabled. You can re enable it any time by pulling out the paper.

I cut off a tiny bit of the stem of a Q-tip to do that. Not too hard with tweezers and pliers. Quite a squeeze, but I don't plan on taking it out.
 
All right. That's clever. I was thinking of pliers to take off the same little nubbin, but that's sort of inelegant and permanent!
 
Maybe practice more with the camera so its operation becomes second nature to you?? Just curious.

I find that the more I use a particular camera, the more intuitive the operation under pressure becomes, and the more fluid and easy the use of it.

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)
 
Thanks for the tip. I just put a blob of hot glue on it and I no longer have to put up with it locking if I get to inf. as I'm sweeping across the focus range.
The hot glue will just flick out if needs be.:eek:
 
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