bobby_novatron
Photon Collector
I have a Kiev 2, and a Kiev 4a from around 1981. The quality differences are subtle but noticeable. The Kiev 2 is a much smoother and better-built camera. The Contax DNA is readily apparent.
kyonthinh -- I'm sure you'll like your Kiev 2. It's a beautiful instrument and capable of making wonderful photos. Enjoy!
kyonthinh -- I'm sure you'll like your Kiev 2. It's a beautiful instrument and capable of making wonderful photos. Enjoy!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I had a late model Kiev briefly and couldn't believe how different it was to my early ll ... I'd only had it a couple of weeks and the shutter died! It showed signs of having had some pretty rough work done on it ... lots of damaged screws etc.
I bought my Kiev ll from fedka and it was advertised as having been CLAd by them ... they did a great job because it's as smooth as silk and the shutter appears to be very accurate.
I bought my Kiev ll from fedka and it was advertised as having been CLAd by them ... they did a great job because it's as smooth as silk and the shutter appears to be very accurate.
pakeha
Well-known
No, its the other way around.Like myself the interest is in the camera, we could`nt give two .....s for the politics.Its clowns like yourself that insist on bringing it to every post around here. Get over it.
David Murphy
Veteran
waiting list for a Contax? What is that? There are millions of them out there and they are easy to have serviced if necessary. Worth doing IMO too.
lukitas
second hand noob
Thank you.
For describing me as a clown (which I may well be), and accusing me of bringing politics to 'every' thread. I didn't know my opinions are so 'political'.
If you don't like politics, don't discuss it. I don't, not here.
In the meantime, you just became the clown who put a match to the oil I was pouring to calm the waves. That makes both of us clowns.
Applause, please!
outfitter
Well-known
You should get a Kiev from the period when the German technicians were still supervising production (early to mid 1950s). After that the technicians had retired and their were few commies in the Soviet Union because the little guy had long since figured out the whole system didn't work - except for the party leaders.
kyonthinh
Established
Got it from Post yesterday. The seller shipped it late ( must wait 2 weeks, what did he do at that time? CLA it?). Then tracking number from DHL shows nothing, and the camera sat in Post for few days ( poor it
). I'm also very disappointed that it doesn't come with Yak hair package.It's a little uglier than in picture, but still in very good shape. Shutter works well, highest speed is likely 1/700, slow speeds are very good, viewfinder is clean. I use my handheld light to check light leak and it is not there, so let's hope there is no light leak in reality. Just shot some pictures with it and it is a very fun camera to work with. The feeling in my hand is also good.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
newspaperguy
Well-known
Professor Hicks stated, "Later Kievs were, ummm... variable"
Perhaps the kindest words ever used to describe them, Roger.
That said, I love my early Kiev II.
Perhaps the kindest words ever used to describe them, Roger.
That said, I love my early Kiev II.
Elmar Lang
Well-known
Hello,
I consider myself as a Kiev-supporter (not a "fan" as "fanatic", since fanatism can induce to wrong thoughts...).
My very first "serious" camera, was a Kiev-4A made in 1968, bought in 1975, inspired by my grandfather's Contax-II. It was the only camera I could afford, due to the traditionally empty pockets of a schoolboy.
With it I've had lots of fine pictures (I mean well-exposed, in-focus images) and it still works perfectly, after thousands of shots.
This also started a collection (now, almost gone) of Kiev models, variations and accessories of which a few usable cameras are still here, f.e. the "1947" Kiev.
I use this type of cameras along with the Contax (pre- and postwar), with mixed Zeiss and Jupiter lenses.
I need to say that I enjoy to use them and the "Contax-Grip is not that difficult to get used to.
All the best,
E.L.
I consider myself as a Kiev-supporter (not a "fan" as "fanatic", since fanatism can induce to wrong thoughts...).
My very first "serious" camera, was a Kiev-4A made in 1968, bought in 1975, inspired by my grandfather's Contax-II. It was the only camera I could afford, due to the traditionally empty pockets of a schoolboy.
With it I've had lots of fine pictures (I mean well-exposed, in-focus images) and it still works perfectly, after thousands of shots.
This also started a collection (now, almost gone) of Kiev models, variations and accessories of which a few usable cameras are still here, f.e. the "1947" Kiev.
I use this type of cameras along with the Contax (pre- and postwar), with mixed Zeiss and Jupiter lenses.
I need to say that I enjoy to use them and the "Contax-Grip is not that difficult to get used to.
All the best,
E.L.
oftheherd
Veteran
Got it from Post yesterday. The seller shipped it late ( must wait 2 weeks, what did he do at that time? CLA it?). Then tracking number from DHL shows nothing, and the camera sat in Post for few days ( poor it
It's a little uglier than in picture, but still in very good shape. Shutter works well, highest speed is likely 1/700, slow speeds are very good, viewfinder is clean. I use my handheld light to check light leak and it is not there, so let's hope there is no light leak in reality. Just shot some pictures with it and it is a very fun camera to work with. The feeling in my hand is also good.
My Kiev 4am had a light leak from the fitting (or not light-tight fitting) of the back. And as yours, no yak yarn.
I used a black yarn, kept in with a light coat of spray tak cement, with touch-up by black magic marker to make sure it stayed a flat black. Works well for me.
How's the lens and camera? I see the lens was made in 54, which should make it better if well enough treated.
newspaperguy
Well-known
Here's my 1956 Kiev with a "manly" strap of the same vintage.
Still a great shooter. (Comes complete with "Zeiss bumps" on the back.)
Hint for those with fumble fingers: Pre-focus, and never worry about the 'Contax Hold."
Still a great shooter. (Comes complete with "Zeiss bumps" on the back.)
Hint for those with fumble fingers: Pre-focus, and never worry about the 'Contax Hold."
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Rick,
Nah, that's a wimp strap. With overweight cameras, Real Men use excruciatingly uncomfortable thin straps. Or better still,1950s/1960s "snake chains" that pull out the tiny hairs on your neck as well.
Cheers,
R.
lrochfort
Well-known
That's half a haircut for free!
Elmar Lang
Well-known
I couldn't use my Kiev (or Contax RF) without the "snake chain" if carried out of its everready case!
Excruciatingly thin neck straps are part of the game... especially on a mountain hike during summer.
An alternative, is to carry the super-heavy case of a vintage, chinese "Seagull" wooden field camera, with the extra-case for its tripod: here's an example of what is capable, that example of deforestation: it's a gum-bichromate contact print from an Ilfolith negative.
Please excuse me for the off-topic...
Excruciatingly thin neck straps are part of the game... especially on a mountain hike during summer.
An alternative, is to carry the super-heavy case of a vintage, chinese "Seagull" wooden field camera, with the extra-case for its tripod: here's an example of what is capable, that example of deforestation: it's a gum-bichromate contact print from an Ilfolith negative.
Please excuse me for the off-topic...
Attachments
kyonthinh
Established
The camera is serviced I think, it works well, smoothly and accurately.
Lens is clean, and I got this because of KMZ ( I always like KMZ more than another factories). Lens pics are coming soon.
Btw, the DHL guy knocked on my door again, for another Kiev 2A. This one is half broken, though
, will go to Oleg soon. It's brother of newspaperguy's one 
Pardon me for the bad picture coming from my phone, since I don't have any digital camera. Strange, I'm still young and what I have are cameras, which are older than my father.
@Elmar: feel free to do it. I'm still learning through people's experience.