Kiev 4a film speed options

[cobram]

Hello!

I'm new to Kiev rangefinder and want to fully understand its properties.

With my first film roll, Ilford 125 (black and white), I got some really nice pictures so I wanted to try Ilford HP5 Iso 400. The reason why to use film with different speed is obvious. What I'm wondering is which GOST number will fit properly the ISO 400 film. I searched the web to find an answer and realized that gost number around 350 will fit ISO 400 film very well. But when I tried to change the film speed on my Kiev 4a camera (the one without a light meter) I find out that its maximum film speed is only 250 (Gost).
Can anyone give me information on:
a) how to set kiev camera (film speed knob) to shoot with iso 400 film and
b) what means the red sign after GOST numbers that appear after GOST 250 or before GOST 22. There are two red signs on film speed knob.

When I searched the web I discovered that some versions of kiev 4 have GOST setting up to 350 which will fit very well ISO 400 film, but mine doesn't have such high gost number? Anyone with the same problem?

Have a nice day
Ales

 

[CliveC]

I'm not sure I get your problem: If you have no light meter, there really isn't a reason to concern yourself with GOST or even setting the film speed with the camera.

Either use an external meter to determine the aperture and shutter speed or use the Sunny 16 rule (On a sunny day, the correct exposure is roughly 1/(film speed in ASA) at the aperture of f/16). You can use that as a basis to modify your aperture and shutter speed (i.e. If conditions indicate the correct exposure is 1/400 and f/16, a correct exposure can be reached at 1/1000 at f/11 or 1/250 at f/22.) After a while, you will recognize lighting conditions and know what to set your shutter speed and aperture at.

The Kiev 4a has more than enough shutter speed to deal with an ASA400 film in broad daylight. As I recall, the top speed is either 1/1250 or 1/1000, depending on the age.

 

[cobram]

Thank you for your answer. I'm new to rangefinder and film photography...

So I don't have to select film speed on the camera when I load new film roll. If I understand you right this have to be done only for cameras that have build in light meter? And in case of my Kiev (without light meter) it is not necessary.
Thank you for this information.

Anyway. I'm still curious what meanings have two red signs on the left knob after the gost numbers? Any ideas.

At the end I want to thank you for your kind answer.

 

[Sid836]

In a Kiev-4a that is just a film speed reminder, nothing more. (If I recall correct there is one red sign pointing at GOST values and one at DIN values).

 

[wolves3012]

None of the usual Kiev/FED/Zorki russian RFs have a coupled light-meter or any automation. The film-speed setting dial is there purely to help you remember what film is loaded.

The camera doesn't know or care, it's up to you to make an appropriate exposure. Either use an external meter or learn to guess at a suitable shutter speed and lens aperture.