kiev 4 1960 / 1970 ?

[dee]

Just a question , I am told that a 1960,s Kiev 4 [1] is better made than the later versions .

I have not seen an early K 4 [1] , so i can't judge .

Is it a better chrome ? Closer to Kiev 2 ? - Or was it all change !

I ask 'cos I am realising that I actually prefer my Kiev 4 / 4m to a Kiev 2 - probably because it looks more like an early SLR - with a '' pentaprism '' meter !

... and I have ever loved the magic of a selenium meter !

dee

 

[rolleistef]

the selenium meter is a pain in the neck to use and it really slows down the rewind.
1960s Kiev are identical to 1970s one, however what changes is they were made in greater quantity than in the 1960s thus with a lesser quality. Very simple example : I've got two kievs with a difference of 300 between their two serial numbers. The first one has got a brass top and the second one a steel top. The same for the forks : bronze for one, aluminium for the other etc. The quality kept going down till the 90s - except maybe for the 4m/4AM.

 

[dee]

Thanks Stephane - most interesting .

dee

 

[brachal]

The 70's Kievs were simplified in other ways. The top shutter speed was lowered to 1/1000 and the self-timer lever went from all metal to metal and plastic. Compared to my 2a, my 70's 4a is also missing the focal distance engravings from the top of the lens mount.

 

[ruben]

It is not just the outer chrome. As far as I have seen the inside part of the back is more complex (= less "symplified") and I believe more effective than later models, and some periphereal parts are made from better materials - This I found when adjusting/screwing etc the rangefinding system.

Yet we do not have to panic about latter models, nor blind buy older ones. Surprises arise from both sides.

My woking combination is to relay on the last 4AM model, backed up with some older small parts, and an extended investement in the outer look. (*)

Cheers,
Ruben

(*) Changes in the external look (some seen here, others unseen at the pic):

- rectangular front plate instead of the "triangular shaped" with the 4AM/4M
- Oly rf rewind knob
- Full chrome self timer
- Kiev II/IIa leather case
- Black painted bottom part of the winding knob (this one gives the illusion as if the winding knob was floating over the body - very interesting and aesthetical. It was not really painted but black taped).
- Red painted Cyrillic logo
- Camera is sporting a 35mm lens with home black painted collar, and metal cap.