Keiv 2a or 4am ??

arbib

arbib

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:confused: I am new to Russian Camera's. My dad has a Contax IIIa with F/2 Sonnar. When the Camera was working, it was a nice camera to switch to for fun, and serious photography...

I am considering getting a Keiv 2a or 4am. From what I have read from many WWW places. the 2a is a better built camera from the 4am. any truth to this?

And is the 53mm F/2 a sharper lens from the 53mm F1.8 on the 4am type 2?

I have around $200.00 to spend. I would like a turret finder plus 3 lenses, 28/35, 50, 80 F/2

I have a few Ebay stores bookmarked plus two other stores.

any sugggestions on to where buy this. I would like a Black version too. (if possible)

Thanks for any help
arbib :)
 
Welcome, Arbib!

There's a nice Kiev 4 and a couple of lenses for sale right now in the RFF classifieds!
 
If I was to choose between a Kiev 2a or a 4am I would pick the one that works. If they both work, I'll take th 2a because of the better build quality like you mentioned.

I'm not sure if I follow you with the lens question, but I'll give it a shot. People say the Heilo-103 is sharper than the J-8.

Good places to buy FSU/lenses are here like Frank S mentioned, Oleg, and Fedka. There are good ebay sellers like Alex Photo. As far a the "black version" goes, those didn't come from the factory like that. Someone painted it black. If that's the case, you should try and find out how they applied it and what materials they used to do it. Otherwise the finish might not last.

Good luck and welcome.
 
Dear Arbib: The 4AM Kievs can be very nice cameras, and the Helios f1.8 lenses are excellent performers and quite inexpensive on Ebay. I enjoyed my 4AM because it's film takeup spool is integrated into the camera body. Keep in mind that not all Kievs are created equal. I'm sure you have probably read all the pros and cons regarding the Kiev. No matter how hard the Russians tried, they did not create a Zeiss Contax, no matter how they dressed up the cameras. To Kievs credit, when they built one correctly, the cameras performed consistently well. Best of luck with your purchase. Robert, Rperkdog@aol.com
 
Thank you FrankS

Thank you FrankS

Just made arrangements with "Flashover" for Keiv 4a, with Ziezz open VF for 50/85, with 50 F/2 and 85 F/2.
Thanks for the tip!! :D :D
arbib
 
I paid about $65 shipped for very decent Kiev 4 from Russia about three years ago. You can get a working Contax body for $200 on eBay if you are patient. Put a $15 Russian 50mm class lens on it for a starters. Some Russian lenses are as good as the vintage Contax glass, but most are probably not as good as the post war Contax glass (I am not sure if anyone has done objective testing of this -- I am starting to). FYI the Kiev is fun, but it's simply not in the same class as the Contax IIa which I now use is.
 
My dad has a Contax IIIa. but the shutter has a broken cog. I suggested I get a Keiv 3 for $50-65 and have a repair shop fix it. But he is 83 and not interested. He loves his Nikon D50.. But one day I may have it. and I will fix it. BTW. the lens on it is a 50mm F/2 Sonner, and it is a very sharp lens.
 
you want to use kiev 3 to repair contax IIIa? IIIa is post-war version of contax so you cant use parts from kiev in it. :( ( and you write keiv - it is spelled kiev ;) )
 
Then what model KIEV would work..

Then what model KIEV would work..

As a donor camera ?? Or do I need another Contax III or IIIa as a parts camera??
Thanks
 
You can still try to get the Sonnar from the Contax, it doens't matter how nice the camera is, what's still important is the lens!
 
RE: Sonnor

RE: Sonnor

most likely I can get my dad to send me both anyway. I am the only Photo Hubbiest, besides himself in the family. So I look forward to using the Sonner on my Kiev 4a in the future.
I was wanting to fix the Contax IIIa also. ALTHOUGH, I prefer non-metered models for these RF's. But it would be a second body that is usable.
 
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