Kiev 4

[rolleistef]

Hi all,
I just found this forum and I'm already... fond! Lol it was a little joke to begin with, me crazy stupid funny french photographer!
I'd ike to have your opinion on the Kiev 4, what to say, periods to avoid (I've heard smtg like 65-80), for I'd like to buy one, the shape and features seeming quite pleasant, and before it became more expensive than the real Contax (already 130$ in France!).
thanx a lot,
Stéphane

 

[fotosniper]

Great machines Kiev 4's Stephane!..get one!!..early 4's before 1970's are said to be better made..I can agree... I have two..one from 68 and one from 74..the one from 68 feels (may be imagination ha!) better in operation... 74 is still a good camera too!...Jupiter 8 standard lens is really nice!..
and welcome to RFF!!.

 

[kmack]

The earlier the better for the Kievs. Better yet, if you can find a Kiev 2 or 3 at a good price: go for it. They are a lot of fun and good shooters.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[darkkavenger]

Salut Steph! 😉

well I'll speak english as it is the norm amongst us.. welcome here! I'm crazy about Kiev cameras, in fact I keep fondling mine here... I recommend you to get an early Kiev -- before 1970. My preference goes to the Kiev-2 and Kiev-2A (with flash sync), though you might want to have a Kiev-3A (with non-coupled lightmeter). I personally prefer the models without a meter, as most meters are no longer working or accurate.

Cheers!
Bonne soirée!
Max

 

[fidget]

I use a 79 model which operates well and feels very smooth, maybe I was lucky. I also have a second kiev of 73 vintage which was faulty when received. (50% success on thE bay?)

 

[w3rk5]

I got to play with a Kiev 4 today. I love they way they feel. Very solid and a nice weight behind it. I've read somewhere the best year to get is anything upto early 1960. When I get one......I mean if I get one, I'll get one without the light meter. 🙂 Like Max said, "Most meters are no longer working or accurate".

 

[Socke]

And they are much more sexy without the light meter 🙂

 

[wlewisiii]

My experiance isn't typical I'm sure, but my best Kiev 4a is from 1977 and still shooting wonderfully. My worst was a Kiev II from 1952. It was eventually used as a parts body. So be aware that a good camera could be made at anytime during the Kiev's production as well as a bad one. Buy from a reputable dealer - it will cost more but you'll have better options if it is a lemon.

That said, I do love my Kiev 4a 😀 and I hope you'll get a good one too.

William

 

[darkkavenger]

This said, I must say my immense luck is to live in a city where I can find lot of FSU rangefinders and where I can buy them for reasonable prices AND ***test them*** ... I wish I was rich! so many cameras to buy! 😀

 

[rolleistef]

hellomates,
thanks a lot for your replies... I'll eventually buy a IIIa (saw a cuple of them for 35 tikets on ebay), but I personnaly prefer the light-meter versions, for I think it just looks like... a Louis XV cupboard or secretary... so cute! I saw one yesterday, and it's amazingy small! Anyway if I get he big prize at the lottery, I'll but a Contax instead (and a leica Mp as well; let's stop dreaming 😀 )
See you soon,
Stéphane

 

[akptc]

Hi Stéphane, before taking the plunge on the IIIa, consider this beauty: http://www.dvdtechnik.com/ebay/contaxc/black/12.jpg - how could anyone resist it? 🙂 I have one (had to do some minor fixes) and just love it.

 

[ErnestoJL]

Hello Stephane!
I´ve got my first Kiev 4 in 1982. It was made in 1966 and had no flaws. Recently I´ve got a Contax II (made in 1937), and found no noticeable differences between them. The Kiev came with the J 8, a very good clone of the Sonnar 2/50mm which in fact is as good as a pre war Sonnar.
You won´t be disappointed with a Kiev, but remember that you´re in the first steps of a long run to full GAS!

Good luck and welcome to the forum!
Ernesto

 

[rolleistef]

What do you mean by GAS, ernesto?
For AKPTC : black Kievs are usually of quite low reliability, and I don't like them with this colour.. but that's kind anyway!
Stéphane

 

[akptc]

For AKPTC : black Kievs are usually of quite low reliability, and I don't like them with this colour.. but that's kind anyway!
Stéphane

You may be right on that, it took some tinkering to get mine all tight and ready to go. But, isn't having a camera 50% about the looks anyway 😉

 

[darkkavenger]

What do you mean by GAS, ernesto?
For AKPTC : black Kievs are usually of quite low reliability, and I don't like them with this colour.. but that's kind anyway!
Stéphane

GAS = Gear Acquisition Syndrome [Syndrome d'Achat de Matos] 😀

 

[ErnestoJL]

Massimiliano: thank you for answering Stephane. Better that You did as you speak french better than I would ever do!! Grazie tante!!!

Stephane:
After buying the first FSU RF camera, some kind of infection takes place over most of the buyers, and then they want to buy almost all.... Well, that´s what usually happens. It doesn´t mean you´d be infected right now, but ... wait and see....

RJ-
There are just two possible situations:
1)I´m very lucky because my Kiev sounds (really, does it?) very quiet, or
2)Conversely, I´m not lucky at all as my Contax sounds louder than it should be, almost like a Kiev...

Well, probably I´m quite lucky as my Kiev is really quiet and the Contax sounds the same.
What I´m sure is that both cameras are really quiet in comparison with many leaf shuttered cameras, however not as quiet as a Leica in good shape.

Sorry to hijack this thread!!!
Again, Good luck Stephane and enjoy being here.

Ernesto

 

[rolleistef]

hello,
wow so much advantages for a single camera! 😛
I'd also like to have the cons, because camera (more generally a soviet one) are never perfect (except 2 of them : the Leica M4 to 7 and P, and the Rolleiflex 3.5/2.8F 😉 )
And I'll mind the GAS.... anyway, me being a poor broken student... And foe the moment I don't even have enough money for a Kiev (Kneb)!
But I admit I once dreamed abut having all the versions, from the II to the 4M, and 4A mk2 as well...
Massimiliano, did you live in France once? (I'd bet not a lot of people would know "matos" instead of "materiel") :dance:
Cheers,
Stéphane

 

[Krawczyk]

My Kiev is a 4M - 1984 and work very good, including the meter.

 

[Jocko]

My Kiev is a 4M - 1984 and work very good, including the meter.

Same here - although it did need a tune-up from Oleg. And like Ernesto's, mine is also wonderfully quiet.

Stephane, these are beautiful cameras. I too bought my first Kiev when I was a "poor broken student" - do it and have fun! You won't regret it and you'll treasure the pictures - college is just one long photo opportunity! 😀

 

[dll927]

The matter of a meter or not is pretty much personal preference. I tend to think the 4a, no meter, is better looking, too. In any case those meters are the selenium type and probably not reliable any more as 'yardsticks' (French, meter!!) for exposure. Particularly not with slide filem.