I'm gonna take a fall...

SolaresLarrave

SolaresLarrave

My M5s need red dots!
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I'm here, posting in this forum for the very first time, because I'm tempted to sink some hard-earned cash in a Kiev 4 with a Jupiter lens. The camera seems to have something like a meter (is it built in?) and the focusing wheel looks like a shark fin.

How did you relent to the temptation? How long did you resist? I'll do my best... but in case I take a fall, you'll hear about it. I have questions, but I'll get back to you later, when I have them clearly formulated or the camera is in my hands.

Thanks in advance! :)
 
The lens will probably be better than the camera. I'll let Ruben talk to you about the magic of the Kiev.
 
That's another aspect of this fascination. I started looking at auctions for fast lenses, Russian fast lenses. But later, the thread here about Kiev owners got me thinking... and I recalled having seen some Kievs about in Chicago, and the appetite grew.

I have one in my sights. It's not expensive, all in all... Is it flimsy, quirky, cutish? Do you need to trim the film leader as in the Barnack Leicas? I'm just very, very curious.

Again, thanks! :)
 
I had a Kiev 4 , the glass is outstanding and the camera is mechanically nice if idiosyncratic. Like the Contax the film shutter speed / film advance process is arcane. I sold mine and I regret it.
 
Francisco,

Grab it and run. I regretted selling my Kievs and so recently sold my Bessa R & LTM lenses and have another Kiev 4a w/ a Jupiter 8. I have a Jupiter 12 35/2.8, a Jupiter 3 50/1.5 & a Menopa 53/1.8 coming for it too :) I'm also rebuilding an Industar 61 L/D into a kiev mount too :eek: Then, I always had the Kiev bug pretty badly.

Here's an online manual - http://www.russianplaza.com/Kiev man/kiev4man.htm

This site & the ones it links to will tell you lots more - http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/

That said, the Kiev/Contax experience is different & not everyone likes it. However it's cheap enough that you won't lose anything to find out. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

William
 
First-rate sophisticated 1930's German engineering and design, reasonable construction in the 1950's in Ukraine, deteriorating assembly quality in the 1960's & 70's... Quirky antiquated operation in the here and now, seductively low pricing. I have one that works ok and one that doesn't, but the Jupiter-8 2/50mm and Jupiter-12 2.8/35mm are fine old Zeiss designs.

If you get a Kiev 4, it'll be an adventure and learning experience. The top-mounted meter might or might not work. Have fun!

I just carefully verified my J-12 fits ok on my recently acquired Nikon S3, so I'll be out trying this odd combination soon. :)
 
Meter's the selenium kind and probably will not work. Film leader does not need to be trimmed as for LTM. You may find that you have a couple of fingers too many on your right hand.
 
Doug said:
First-rate sophisticated 1930's German engineering and design, reasonable construction in the 1950's in Ukraine, deteriorating assembly quality in the 1960's & 70's... Quirky antiquated operation in the here and now, seductively low pricing. I have one that works ok and one that doesn't, but the Jupiter-8 2/50mm and Jupiter-12 2.8/35mm are fine old Zeiss designs.

If you get a Kiev 4, it'll be an adventure and learning experience. The top-mounted meter might or might not work. Have fun!

I just carefully verified my J-12 fits ok on my recently acquired Nikon S3, so I'll be out trying this odd combination soon. :)
Click to expand...

I'll second Doug.
I have a pair of 1950's Kiev's (a II and a III) the meter on the III still works well. I had Fedka do a CLA on the II and I now prefer it over my Leica IIIF. The Kiev is a very quiet camera, easy to steady and use at slow speeds.

Just about any of the old Zeiss lenses will fit the Kiev, giving you an opportunity to use some classic Zeiss glass like the Sonnar 50/1.5.
 
Hmmm... convincing... even though I just sent my Elmarit 28 for cosmetic surgery to Sherry...

Will it smell? Will it come in wrapped in yak-hair paper? Most important: will it work well?

Gotta find out. Thanks! It seems one cannot resist this curiosity about FSU RFs.
 
Get it. You won't regret it. Quietest camera I own is a Kiev 4AM - too bad your 4 probably can't use the Helios 103... God I love that lens!
 
SolaresLarrave said:
I'm here, posting in this forum for the very first time, because I'm tempted to sink some hard-earned cash in a Kiev 4 with a Jupiter lens. The camera seems to have something like a meter (is it built in?) and the focusing wheel looks like a shark fin.

How did you relent to the temptation? How long did you resist? I'll do my best... but in case I take a fall, you'll hear about it. I have questions, but I'll get back to you later, when I have them clearly formulated or the camera is in my hands.

Thanks in advance! :)
Click to expand...

Comrade,

Most meters on Kiev-4 cameras are either dead or comatose (but there are rare exceptions). They are built-in selenium cells. Perhaps you should try a meterless and more beautiful (to some) Kiev-4a.

Do not resist to the temptation for too long, but do not give in immediately either...

Regards

Semushkin
 
I got my first Kiev in April of 1994.
It was a 1972 Kiev 4 with a good built in light meter.
I still use this camera and it has never let me down.
Most of the metered Kievs I have checked out at camera shows still have working light meters.
 
Francisco, I had a 4AM for a few years until I gave it to a young friend last Fall. Fun cameras!
 
Well, I work with a Canon P and Fed 2 and Kiev 4AM and a Canonet with a busted meter. If working in familiar settings, especially outdoors my meterless guesstimates are correct in (average) 35 out of 36 frames per roll. Once you learn sunny 16 and the indoor equivalent, you will never be stuck when a battery dies or a meter malfunctions. I learned more by studying the sunny 16 rules than you can imagine. Live on the edge! Go meterless! Amaze your friends! ;)
 
Part of the attraction of a Kiev is the Contax look and to me it`s not there unless it sports a meter sitting on top.
Mine is usually within 1/2 stop of my handheld meter so also it`s quicker and easier shooting with the meter adorned Kiev
However a meterless one has sleeker shape to it. So the question is do you prefer form over function ?
Given a choice , I`d take one with a working meter and I have both.
John
 
Don't forget that you can revive a dead meter by replacing its cell with a new one. Oleg has these cells for Kiev 4's--not expensive.
 
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