Kiev-4 SO stiff??

[iliks]

Hello. I've just bought '78 Kiev-4. And I have one question: is it ok that cocking the shutter is so stiff?? You see, the winding head has 'spikes' on it, and after playing a bit I now have blisters on my fingers! Is it me or is it faulty Kiev?

 

[Solinar]

Greetings to sunny tropical, New Siberia.

With regards to the question: No, you should not be wearing the skin off your fingers while winding the film. It sounds like the camera needs a cleaning, lubrication and adjustment.

 

[ruben]

Definitely you have got a bad Kiev. :bang:
Cleaning and lubrication may help or may not.
First of all try to return the camera to seller, but before that, try to take some pics at minimum distance and widest aperture: The lens may be exceptional in which case better you keep the whole and buy another body.

Novosibirsk - wow !

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[clarence]

I want to go to Novosibirsk. Might go there next summer.

Good luck with the Kiev! Some lighter fluid to flush the insides might just do the trick. It's not too hard.

Clarence

 

[w3rk5]

Cocking the shutter shouldn't be that stiff. I recently re-lubed my 1964 Kiev 4. I'd say it's alot better now.

 

[iliks]

Hello again and thanks for such fast and warm response! I find the atmosphere here very different to other forums.
As for Kiev, today I've tried it again. And I have a feeling it moves lighter now. So I guess I will be able to handle it. (Btw, the main difficulty are slow speeds, <1/25, which are rarely used anyway)
Today I've shot the first roll of film to test the shutter and three lenses (Helios-103, J-12, J-9). I will scan them and post here.

 

[iliks]

By the way, why do you look surprised seeing I'm from Novosibirsk? Is it strange? 🙂

 

[Solinar]

Well for me at least, Novosibirsk is more than a few kilometers away the well worn path. You are also the first person on the RF forum to post from Novosibirsk, which is great. Contributors to the Rangefinderforum are quite spread out around the globe.

 

[Stu W]

Check the curtain tension. Someone may have replaced the shutter tapes and set the lower roller tension too tight. A tight curtain will make winding difficult, getting tighter at the slower shutter speeds. Rick Oleson's site has a step by step on shutter speed setting using a television! Very easy DIY project. Stu

 

[Xmas]

If you cannot return the camera -

The first step is to try the camera for a while it might loosen up. The Kiev is not like a Leica, or a Contax, and some have been neglected or rebuild by 'inexperienced repair persons'.

If that does not work then you need to lift the top plates and try to lube the visible bits. You need a set of instrument screw drivers patience and a cool head.

The screws are small and can dissappear. I've had some come loose which does not help winding at all.

You can use votka for cleaning parts of grease, petrol cigaratte lighter fluid is better. Removing the grease from 60s may be sufficient, a few drops of PTFE liquid lube is as much as you should use, light petroleum oil may capailliary every where and is not recommended. A PTFE liquid may be ok even in your winter temperatures.

If that does not work it is remove the shutter which is like removing the engine from an auto, not easy the first time. The camera may be operated without the top plates, so you will know if you need to remove the shutter.

Hope you had a good Victory in Europe day.

Noel

 

[iliks]

Thanks to everybody for the help! Now I've contacted the seller asking whether I can replace my one with another. Let's see...

 

[iliks]

Luckily, the seller is ready to replace it, so the problem is kinda solved!
...By the way, he said a special oil is required for lubricating its insides because using regular oils might do harm. Don't know if it's correct...