I got my Kiev!

S

Stephanie Brim

Mental Experimental.
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It's so great! The rangefinder patch is bright and easy to see, the shutter is very quiet for a camera like this, and the lenses I got (the Jupiter 12 and Helios 103) are in great shape. It's surprisingly easy to use...and load. I have some TMY in it (which I haven't used for about a year) and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do with it.

Any recommendations as to the operation or care of the camera would be appreciated. I figured out how to shoot pictures, but I don't want to accidentally break the camera or something.
 
I want to go out and take photos today, but it's overcast and dreary. I suppose this would be a particularly good day to go out and take those cemetary photos I've been wanting to shoot.
 
All I know is the focus wheel is for the 50, everything else it may be easier to focus via the barrel, and wind on before changing shutter speeds.. oh and like all the mechanicals, assume the fastest shutter speed is wrong.
 
Congratulations Stephanie,
All i can say is that if you don't need a light meter, as you said, then the Kievs are custom taylored to your size (well, I mean before pregnancy). You have there all the advantages and none of the taxes. And if your camera is also smooth to wind, then it is heaven.

But of course, here and there a minor issue may arise and when and if does, then we all are here with experience, knowledge, and our best will to help.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
Oh, also, is there a trick to setting the shutter speed dial? I can't get it to go higher than 125 for some reason and I'm pretty sure it's something I'm doing.
 
you need to wind your camera first and then set the shutter speed. They are neat cameras, I wish I could find mine.
 
Stephanie Brim said:
Oh, also, is there a trick to setting the shutter speed dial? I can't get it to go higher than 125 for some reason and I'm pretty sure it's something I'm doing.
Click to expand...

They can be tight, but it should just be a matter of lift the dial and twist.
 
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Hi Stephanie and congratulations on the Kiev 4. I know that you will love it!
Speaking of taking photos at the cemetery, that is one of my favorite spots to test out cameras. The statues don't move ! Here are a couple from my 4AM and J8. Kodak Black & White C41 process. You will also get many comments from folks about shooting with the Kiev. Most people have never seen one.

Charles
 

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All best, Steph!
Kiev 4 is nice, quiet camera ... don't worry if you are in situation to shoot in low light, now you have tool for it! It's great camera to shoot 1/10 sec from hand 😉:

Inhospital.jpg
 
Mine I'm pretty sure mine isn't a Kiev 4. I think it's an earlier model. I also figured out how to use it last night. 😉

We're going to Ames today because Adam's sister is having her baby. I'm hoping to take a few photos there. We'll see.

Also, one thing I do need is a set of caps for the J-12. It didn't come to me with any caps and I'm quite frankly scared to carry it without them.
 
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Stephanie Brim said:
Also, one thing I do need is a set of caps for the J-12. It didn't come to me with any caps and I'm quite frankly scared to carry it without them.
Click to expand...

You can get front and rear caps for the J12 from fedka.com.
 
Hi Stephanie and congrats!
Many Kievs have similar quirks. Be sure to change shutter speeds when the camera is cocked. NOTE: It is more difficult to go to the higher speeds, than the lower ones.

TIP from Ruben: Try to wind/advance in 2 motions; the first advances the film; the 2nd continues to advance film and cocks the shutter. In many FSU cameras there is a tendency to uneven spacing between negs [even in my much loved Fed-2]. The idea here is to avoid 4-5 little turns each time.

I heartily recommend the lens from the Fedka store in the Link below. It is only $19- plus shipping to Iowa.

http://www.fedka.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=91

Notice that it says 53/2 in the picture. Many J8's were made in slightly different formulations. The picture below was taken with the $19- J8m 53/2 on a bus at 1/50, f2.8.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikegoldberg/355574135/

Anyhow, the J8's are legendary; I have two others in m39 mount. In any event, good luck with the Kiev. Once you learn the Kiev/Contax grip, focusing the R/F with the long rangefinder base, is a pleasure.
Cheers, mike
 
Stephanie,

Congratulations on your new job esp. since it supports your photography!
I use the minilab at Target for my 35mm. 2 weeks ago I took my Kiev 4a and
Jupiter-12, 35/2.8 lens to Blue Hen Falls in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Only 1 photo was properly exposed. All the others taken there were too dark,
the negs were practically clear. I was using the Sunny 16 rule with 400 speed
film. I have trouble selecting the 500 or 1250 speeds on the shutter speed dial. The speed notches seem to be too close and I can't be positive from the marks on the camera if the right speed was engaged. I was shooting at f16 so the speed must have been 1250 instead of 500. Oh well. I hope you have more success with your Kiev.
 
Mike: Your tip from Ruben I'm going to pay close attention to.

Recently I sold my Kiev 4AM to Gene W. in Port Credit, Ontario. Cosmetically it's beautiful. Unfortunately, he is returning it, and I am refunding his money. He says the spacing between negatives is very wide, and he can only get about 17 exposures from a 24 exposure roll of film.

I did not have t his problem at all, so maybe the winding on procedure is the trick? The problem I did have - and it made no difference - was that spacing between frames 2 and 3 was off: the negatives actually touched each other but did not overlap, so they were still useable. The spacing between the rest of the negatives was perfect.

Do you have any thoughts on how to fix this?

Ted
 
Ted

You need to remove four screws, three (or two) holding the tape up spool in place, and the one in the centre of the forks driving the take up spool, the spool will remove.

Dont alter the order of the parts, the assembly of washers (and spring) between the screw and the forks and above the forks is a little clutch slipping drive system. You need to clean each washer (and spring faces) with alcohol and reassemble in same sequence.

This will alter the frame spacing and may be immediately ok, if you are lucky.

Noel
 
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