How do you wear your kiev?

H

Hamster

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My sole Kiev neveready case have just died, both push studs at the back were beyond economic repair. I have not been able to source another one for some time because my case uses a 1/4 tripod screw. So an alternative is needed.

My piorities are protection and practicality, looks are not that important.

So do you have any economic ways of carrying your kiev? I might make mune a half case, but I really would like to know what creative solutions you chaps have come up with.
 
nude Kiev's and Contax IIs

nude Kiev's and Contax IIs

Hampster

You could try replacement fasteners also replacing the 3rd fixed stud for a roadster style case. Lots of people do this, brouse for help...Or use a large rubber band, my case does not need the fasteners, it is difficult enough to open.

If the origional case is 1/4" and the camera a 1/4" a thread adopter for the camera allows the option of using either case type. Shops selling Ru telescopes will have the adopters as welll as camera shops.

The 4AM series case which is black leather with a bigger plastic nose for the Helious f1.8 :-

- smalls nicer - pretty bad if you have a dog who wont come indoors
- fits easily over lens + filter + cap - some people say they can use rubber hoods!

Since the cases later than 60's also will fit Contax IIa and IIIas (i.e. post WWII '50 to '61) they are pretty useful, (a craft knife cut out may be necessary if the Contax is is mint condition to clear the front lower part of the lens mount facia). - The only Contax fit problem is the tripod screw size. One case + adopter fits (nearly) all!

No clever thief is going to steal a Kiev 4M case?

Noel.
 
Hi Hamster,
a) Take a look at my thread:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17589

b) regarding "Instead of hard case" there at the thread, at that American film I was really astonished by that woman photographer wrapping her Nikon and lens with a scarf, and puting the whole into her bag. It is such a quick and good way to do it I don't know nothing faster.


Cheers,
Ruben


c) PS: Nevertheless, a nude Kiev is so seductive and sensually volupteous that I am tempted to ask you to wear it naked and teach us proceedings to keep it clean and safe. Just beware from violent skinheads around (in which case you can wrapp the strap tight and use your Kiev as a mighty hammer, with minor damages, to the camera).
 
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Wow Ruben you have the whole system covered! And leather covering for the turret finder, even that little bit for the 135vf lens!!
I particularly like the rubber surrounding the wind-on know, it's a nice touch.

One idea I have planned for black coating the lens barrels, for the chrome on brass fittings, you can strip the Chrome using muriatic acid, then without touching the brass with finger, apply a patina finish by immersion. I have successfully done that to restore blackness to my Zorki 1's film pressure plate. PM me for the formula I used for making the patine finish.

One question, did you make the half case yourself? Or did you modify a half case?
 
Hamster said:
Wow Ruben you have the whole system covered! And leather covering for the turret finder, even that little bit for the 135vf lens!!
I particularly like the rubber surrounding the wind-on know, it's a nice touch.

One idea I have planned for black coating the lens barrels, for the chrome on brass fittings, you can strip the Chrome using muriatic acid, then without touching the brass with finger, apply a patina finish by immersion. I have successfully done that to restore blackness to my Zorki 1's film pressure plate. PM me for the formula I used for making the patine finish.

One question, did you make the half case yourself? Or did you modify a half case?
Click to expand...


Dear Friend,
As for the "muriatic acid" I thank you for your kind advice. But I have no idea how to translate it to Hebrew (I live in Israel), nor where to look after it. Could you help in the last part of the question ?

As for the half case, I did it myself. But let's be clear, I have been working with leather at my free time for some year or so, to achieve a very basic level, since I had no one to teach me and shorten the trip. If you need it I could post some basic instructions, but you will have to gather some materials and tools. Not too expesive but it will drag time.

Nevertheless allow me to insist in the scarf idea. It is the most ever-ready way, and the fastest one. You just need the right fabric and the right size.

Thank you for all your compliments.
Cheers,
Ruben
 
Muriactic acid is ~ 30% Hydrochloric acid in Water, but even diluted it is quite nasty.

My method for blackening brass fittings

This should strip right down all the chrome plating but a nickel might still remain (not sure about kievs) You will have to use steel wool to remove that. This is followed by a solvent wash to remove oils from fingers, I use ethyl acetate. If you can find a patina finish from your local hardware store, then use it as it is much safer. I use a ammonia based formulation but it is very nasty and i got it in my eyes once and it was not pleasent. It is possible to acheive a very dark shade with a slight blueish tint.

When I did my Zorki film plate, I first polished it on a flat piece of typing paper against glass with a little brass polish, using a figure of 8 motion so that I know it is flat. followed by solvent wash to remove polish residue and then cold immersion in patina finish for 1 hour. I managed to get a very dark shade that I am very happy with.
 
I carry my FSU camera dejour in a one of those nylon cases ment for small vidieo recorders. Neck strap or belt loop, and room for a J-12, finder, and a small meter. I wear the Kiev around my neck hung by a heavy boot lace, and stick it back in the pouch when I'm not taking pictures. Just as fast getting it out as fiddeling with a never-ready case. Bring the camera to try them. though.

Hobby dealers sell a variety of potions for blackening brass dodads on moodel locomotives and such. They might prove to be a little easier to handle. Gun smiths also use a variety of blackening and blueing concoctions. Some of these work well on brass.
 
Hamster -- If you want another Kiev case, try Fedka. He generally has the original cases, very inexpenisve and he is entirely reliable. Just search for Fedka. Dave
 
I usually carry my kiev on a shoulder strap or caseless in my messenger bag... The thing seems indestructable & I rarely worry about it being outside of a case (admittedly I am careful with my stuff). Otherwise it's sitting on the shelf at home... :(

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Regards,

Peter
 
Michiel, you may be right, I am thinking paperweight :))
Peter - that's one nice looking Kiev.
 
Don't forget your local Tandy Leather outlet for fasteners and other leather goods to repair your case. Good source of snap fasteners.

Cheers,

Russ Pinchbeck
 
When I bought my Kiev 4 ( it was back in 1984) I had no case at all, it is the original case was never seen. Then, I found a hard leather cushioned case for it but it was square and heavy (fortunately it had enough room for filters and other stuff). It was for the past 20+ years.
Recently I bought a Mamiya Autolux 35 (it was supossed to need only a CLA!!) which was the donor for a nice soft leather case for the Kiev4 (it required a minor adaption).
Sometimes camera shops have this cases as surplus stock so their price won´t be high.

Besides... if you can fetch a light brown Zeiss Ikon Omnica leather case (it was designed to hold either the Contax IIa or the Contaflex) it´ll be perfect for any Kiev.

Ernesto
 
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