cbass
Nutmegger
A few weeks ago I purchased a Kiev-4 (type b) and Helios-103 lens from RFF member John M (a recommended seller...thanks, John!). Yesterday I finally had an opportunity to run a test roll through the camera. While my wife was having her hair done I spent a few hours wandering the sunny but cold streets of Boston's Back Bay. I relied mostly on Sunny-16 but carried my Sekonic Auto-Lumi 158 for backup. Shot one roll of Kodak Gold 200 before I lost the light.
Before I get started on the results I should mention that John had re-covered the Kiev with an "experimental" Aki-Asahi covering kit. The standard leatherette has been replaced by a bright red textured leatherette. I carried the camera around my neck for a few hours and it drew lots of attention and comments from passers-by.
"That's a cool camera!"
"Thank you, it's Ukranian".
"Are you a photographer?"
"Yes. Well...I try to be."
"Your camera is very pretty."
"Umm, yes, I suppose it is. Thank you."
For one afternoon, I felt famous (or, I should say the Kiev felt famous). My initial impression is that is impossible to use a brightly-colored camera for street shooting. Stick to black gear unless you want to talk to strangers (which is fun 🙂 ) all day.
I've been shooting RFs, inlcuding other FSU cameras, for a few years but up until yesteday I had never used a Kiev. The Kiev feels very different in the hand compared to FEDs and Zorkis. The Kiev has a more angular body structure with widely-spaced raised RF windows that almost force you to grip the corners of the camera. You have to be careful not to block the right-sde RF window with your fingers. The correct grip takes practice; luckily, you know when you're getting it wrong because the VF/RF will be very dim.
Winding on and setting the shutter speed are done with the same dial, and it is somewhat easier to use than the separate wind-on and shutter speed dials of the other FSU cameras. After a few frames I began to unconsiouly tilt the camera to the right after each exposure and wind on the film in a single fluid motion.
I found that I did not use the RF focus dial very much; instead I preferred to focus using the lens barrel. After a while I just set the lens to hyperfocal at f/8 and fine-tuned focus with the finger wheel. This feature can be hard to adjust to if you are not used to it. And don't even get me started on the infinity lock button. Grrr. However, the rangefinder is dead-on and accurate. I haven't enjoyed RF foucsing this much since using my old FED-2.
The Kiev VF is only marginally better that the other FSU cameras I've used. It is squinty, somewhat dim and has zero eye relief. If you are a glasses wearer like me be warned: you WILL scratch your lenses on the Kiev's metal VF frame. I'm going to stick a "donut" of self-adhesive neoprene on mine.
The shutter in the Kiev is fairly quiet but still noticeable. It's louder than my Bessa R. At faster speeds it makes a "snick" sound and at slower speeds makes a sneezing sound that I like very much. Loading film takes patience and practice. The removable film spool will at first try to shed the film leader but if you can get it about 3/4 of the way around then it will stay put. Try it with a scrap roll of film first. The Kiev back and locking clasps feel flimsier than those of the FED or Zorki. However, once you get the back on the Kiev feels pretty robust.
I didn't know what to expect from the Helios-103 lens. Other FSU lenses I have used were hit-or-miss, with my favorite being the LTM Jupiter-8. The Helios surprised me, though. It delivered good color reproduction and sharpness with just enough contrast. The Helios has a reputation for lens flare and I did notice this in a couple of my photos (see the lower left of the pedestrian bridge photo). Be aware of the sun whe you use the Helios! At f/5.6 and above the sharpness is good but things soften noticeably at f/2.8 and f/1.8 the images are very soft. Overall I thought the results were very good and the Helios-103 is definitely a keeper.
I had a lot of fun using the Kiev-4. It's got a robust, purposeful feel and a very nice lens. Once you get used to its personality quirks I think the Kiev makes a very good user camera.
Hits: Accurate RF, sturdy body, reliable shutter, easy to use controls, strap lugs.
Misses: #%@!* infinity lock, hard to load, must hold down rewind button during entire rewind, squinty VF.
Verdict: A great user camera, comrades! No shelf queen here. 🙂
The sample photos below were shot mostly at f/8 or f/11 and 1/50 to 1/500. Helios-103 lens on Kodak Gold 200 color film.
Before I get started on the results I should mention that John had re-covered the Kiev with an "experimental" Aki-Asahi covering kit. The standard leatherette has been replaced by a bright red textured leatherette. I carried the camera around my neck for a few hours and it drew lots of attention and comments from passers-by.
"That's a cool camera!"
"Thank you, it's Ukranian".
"Are you a photographer?"
"Yes. Well...I try to be."
"Your camera is very pretty."
"Umm, yes, I suppose it is. Thank you."
For one afternoon, I felt famous (or, I should say the Kiev felt famous). My initial impression is that is impossible to use a brightly-colored camera for street shooting. Stick to black gear unless you want to talk to strangers (which is fun 🙂 ) all day.
I've been shooting RFs, inlcuding other FSU cameras, for a few years but up until yesteday I had never used a Kiev. The Kiev feels very different in the hand compared to FEDs and Zorkis. The Kiev has a more angular body structure with widely-spaced raised RF windows that almost force you to grip the corners of the camera. You have to be careful not to block the right-sde RF window with your fingers. The correct grip takes practice; luckily, you know when you're getting it wrong because the VF/RF will be very dim.
Winding on and setting the shutter speed are done with the same dial, and it is somewhat easier to use than the separate wind-on and shutter speed dials of the other FSU cameras. After a few frames I began to unconsiouly tilt the camera to the right after each exposure and wind on the film in a single fluid motion.
I found that I did not use the RF focus dial very much; instead I preferred to focus using the lens barrel. After a while I just set the lens to hyperfocal at f/8 and fine-tuned focus with the finger wheel. This feature can be hard to adjust to if you are not used to it. And don't even get me started on the infinity lock button. Grrr. However, the rangefinder is dead-on and accurate. I haven't enjoyed RF foucsing this much since using my old FED-2.
The Kiev VF is only marginally better that the other FSU cameras I've used. It is squinty, somewhat dim and has zero eye relief. If you are a glasses wearer like me be warned: you WILL scratch your lenses on the Kiev's metal VF frame. I'm going to stick a "donut" of self-adhesive neoprene on mine.
The shutter in the Kiev is fairly quiet but still noticeable. It's louder than my Bessa R. At faster speeds it makes a "snick" sound and at slower speeds makes a sneezing sound that I like very much. Loading film takes patience and practice. The removable film spool will at first try to shed the film leader but if you can get it about 3/4 of the way around then it will stay put. Try it with a scrap roll of film first. The Kiev back and locking clasps feel flimsier than those of the FED or Zorki. However, once you get the back on the Kiev feels pretty robust.
I didn't know what to expect from the Helios-103 lens. Other FSU lenses I have used were hit-or-miss, with my favorite being the LTM Jupiter-8. The Helios surprised me, though. It delivered good color reproduction and sharpness with just enough contrast. The Helios has a reputation for lens flare and I did notice this in a couple of my photos (see the lower left of the pedestrian bridge photo). Be aware of the sun whe you use the Helios! At f/5.6 and above the sharpness is good but things soften noticeably at f/2.8 and f/1.8 the images are very soft. Overall I thought the results were very good and the Helios-103 is definitely a keeper.
I had a lot of fun using the Kiev-4. It's got a robust, purposeful feel and a very nice lens. Once you get used to its personality quirks I think the Kiev makes a very good user camera.
Hits: Accurate RF, sturdy body, reliable shutter, easy to use controls, strap lugs.
Misses: #%@!* infinity lock, hard to load, must hold down rewind button during entire rewind, squinty VF.
Verdict: A great user camera, comrades! No shelf queen here. 🙂
The sample photos below were shot mostly at f/8 or f/11 and 1/50 to 1/500. Helios-103 lens on Kodak Gold 200 color film.
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