Kiev 4 First Roll

[maxwell1295]

I picked up this Kiev 4 from the big auction site for $26 about a month ago and finally got around to running a roll through it. This is my first experience with any of the FSU cameras. All I can say is "Wow". It's the body with the meter (dead) and came armed with the Jupiter 8m 50/2. I don't what's more impressive, the lens or the body. The body was very easy to use and the lens appears to be very sharp. I'm not sure whether I've got a light leak or I'm getting flare, but it shows up in a few outdoor shots. Nothing indoors, which leads me to believe flare may be an issue.

I've got a Rollei 35 and Yashica MG-1 that are my regular shooters, but this Kiev has impressed me enough that I really want to use it more. I guess this is where the FSU GAS starts because I'm already looking for a clean 4a and Helios 103 to compliment this setup.

The images below were shot with Legacy Pro 400 stand developed for 60 mins in Rodinal 1:100.

 

[maxwell1295]

A few more images...

 

[stratcat]

Nice shots from the Kiev 4! I like the 2nd and 3rd from the first post. Your development and scanning also look nice. Congratulations! Your images make me realize I have a long way to go with own development and scanning technique, not to mention my photography...

 

[batterytypehah!]

Get the Helios 103, you will not regret it. Rough scan from my last roll (drugstore branded 200 film).

 

[Steve M.]

It takes nice photos. Congratulations. If it were me however, I'd quit while I was ahead. The odds of your next $26 FSU purchase working like this one, well, they're similar to me drowning out here in the desert. We all have to experience the "agony of defeat, the joy of victory" on these cameras ourselves to get that proper FSU understanding.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Just ignore Steve. That's what a lot of us do in this sub-forum.

 

[1750Shooter]

Buy more FSU cameras

Buy more FSU cameras

Great shots from a good camera. Don't listen to the naysayers, I've got 3 - FED-2's, 2 - Zorki-4's, a Zorki-5, 3 - Kiev-4's & they all take great photos & work well. Find a dealer you can trust ("grandseller", is one) & you'll get good stuff. Good luck & post more as you shoot!

 

[maxwell1295]

Thanks for the comments guys. This FSU thing is new to me. I now understand the facination with these cameras. The Kiev is built like a tank!

The Helios 103 was definitely on my hit list. I just grabbed one from the auction site a little while ago. Once I knew the camera was fine, that was the first move I wanted to make. I'm still surprised at how sharp that Jupiter 8 was. It took very little processing on those images to get them to look like that. Another thing that impressed me is how quiet the shutter is. It's like butter. I was expecting something a bit more primative in build quality and in function. This thing is the exact opposite. It's very refined and handles pretty well.

As soon as I move some of the RF's I won't be using, I'll go ahead a grab a 4a to compliment the body I already have.

 

[wolves3012]

A new turn for Steve, even a positive becomes a negative now - and we aren't talking of film either.

I have or have had around 30 or so FSUs and many of them needed some small tweaks or TLC to get them working properly. I'd expect that for any old camera though, regardless of maker. Two needed new curtains - not bad considering the average age of all of them is somewhere in the 40-year range. None was in any way broken, however, except one bought as a parts camera and known to be a non-worker.

The Helios is unlikely to disappoint you and keep shooting with them!

 

[maxwell1295]

Trust me, I've bought enough Yashicas, Konicas, Vivitars, etc. to know that you're more likely to have a problem than not. Ohter than my MG-1's and Rollei 35, this is the only older camera I've owned that was perfect from Day One. They almost always need some type of fix, tweak, or adjustment.

 

[oftheherd]

I have a Kiev 4am that I am fond of, although I don't use it that much. It tends to stay in my car in case I need a camera there. Do you just want another Kiev or is there something special you want from the 4a?

As to flare or light leak; lower light could be masking a light leak. Hopefully not. But the Kiev Survival Site (KSS) is your friend. My 4am works very well, but did have a light leak. After a trip to the KSS, I substituted the missing "yak yarn" for some black yarn and a moderately tacky contact cement. Problem solved. The Kievs can leak in some surprising places, but all are subject to correction.

You often hear horror stories about FSU. Well, they are old and not all were made to Leica or Contax specs. But here on the FSU formu, you will find many DIY hints and solutions. Don't stress too much on trying them and getting one that needs help.

 

[konicaman]

I have 3 different Kiev 4s - one bought CLA'ed, 2 from flea markets; they all run smoothly. If your are handy they such be fun to tinker with, well I am not, so I usually buy them serviced (normally only some 10-15£ more) from sellers with a good reputation - or very cheaply on flea markets. I have never experienced any problems with the ones I bought CLA 'ed. You would not expect a 50 year old car that had spent the last 20 years in the garage to run without a bit of service, right?

And yes it is probably just downhill from here - FSUs are indeed addictive. Have fun 🙂

 

[xayraa33]

Great shots with that Kiev 4.
That J-8 lens gives you some vintage looking photos in the Sonnar lens school.
I found that the fabulous Helios 103 lens was better for colour work but for that old time black and white look the J-8 lens was tops.

 

[farlymac]

Nice pics. The restroom one reminds me of a scene from the movie "Pink Floyd's 'The Wall'".

PF

 

[maxwell1295]

I have a Kiev 4am that I am fond of, although I don't use it that much. It tends to stay in my car in case I need a camera there. Do you just want another Kiev or is there something special you want from the 4a?

As to flare or light leak; lower light could be masking a light leak. Hopefully not. But the Kiev Survival Site (KSS) is your friend. My 4am works very well, but did have a light leak. After a trip to the KSS, I substituted the missing "yak yarn" for some black yarn and a moderately tacky contact cement. Problem solved. The Kievs can leak in some surprising places, but all are subject to correction.

You often hear horror stories about FSU. Well, they are old and not all were made to Leica or Contax specs. But here on the FSU formu, you will find many DIY hints and solutions. Don't stress too much on trying them and getting one that needs help.

Thanks for the KSS info. I'll definitely check it out.

To answer your question, the main reason I want a 4a is the sleeker look it has vs. the regular Kiev 4. Since the lightmeter on these old bodies tend to be useless, it might as well be gone...

 

[stratcat]

Thanks for the KSS info. I'll definitely check it out.

To answer your question, the main reason I want a 4a is the sleeker look it has vs. the regular Kiev 4. Since the lightmeter on these old bodies tend to be useless, it might as well be gone...

I want a 4a or a 2 for the same reason. Not to mention the larger rewind knob.