Kiev 4 - worth CLA ?

[dee]

OK , to pay around £70 [ with return shipping ] to CLA a Kiev 2 / 3 could be sensible in terms of it's potential value , but is it worth fixing a Kiev 4 or 4a ?

I am buying a 4a , but if it doesn't work , my thought is that it is newer an therefore '' worth '' making into a user .

What do you think ?

dee

 

[dll927]

Since you are in the UK, I don't know if this is an answer, but this problem might be eliminated by ordering equipment from Yuri at Fedka.com. He is in New York City, but is known for going over and fixing up cameras he sells, after importing them. One camera I bought even came with an additional lens, since he e-mailed me and siad the original lens had some "slight cleaning marks" on it. Thre camera arrived with TWO lenses. He seems to have a good reputation, even though his prices may be somewhat higher than the Ukrainian sellers.

 

[Joao]

Hi
An alternative option is to send it to Oleg. He has done an exceptional job with my Kiev-4 AM, and he certainly deserved what I have paid.
Lens issues ?? Buy a Helios-103 (or a Menopta), you will not regret it.
Less realistic alternative: if you know someone in Kiev, have it cleaned/repaired at the source : Arsenal's factory. I had one Kiev35-A and one SLR Kiev-10 sent there, the repair price was ridiculous. I thought "if they can make them, they can repair them" - and they did!
Happy shooting.
Joao

 

[ruben]

Hi Dee,

According to your previous Kiev experience, and investments in Kiev CLA, and CLAs in general, I am a bit surprised you are in doubt.

Not that this specific sample should or should not be CLAed, here or there, but who in the neighbourhood has more experience than you in these matters ?

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[dee]

Hi Ruben
It's good to hear from you .
I would like to buy a 60's Kiev 4a
[ I have my 1st K4a - a 1970 coming from cupog which is supposed to be cla ]
But it seems impossible to find one from Oleg or cla .
And I hear from so many that these later cameras are not so well made that I wonder if it makes financial sense to pay for cla for a camera of little value .
But , I guess , if it's to Komplete my Kollektion , then it may be worth it to me !!!
I also want to put new coloured leather on the K 4a and K 4 - I will probably recover one K 2a because it needs it , but would not like alter an early camera.
Thanks everyone - I wish I had a contact that could fix Kievs by the original repairers !

dee

 

[ruben]

Any K4/4a from the 60's decade, not the 70's, is prong to be a good user camera. Some models of the 70 may be good as well, but rather by exception.

By these I don't necessarily mean the health of any specific camera you may get, but the basic material.

And as always try to get a combo, i.e. lens and camera from the same year, supposed to have left the factory together, which may not be the true case, but safer than different years camera and lens.

As for the repairers, I would regard the UK a real Great Power to follow for either Kiev or Contax repairers, that's my instinct and common sense. You are not living at a Caribean Island far from the main centers of photography. And the UK has its special Kiev story too.

Cheers,
Ruben