Kiev 4a

[john341]

I bought a 4a from Europe and when I received the (body only) camera and tested it, I found that all shutter speeds sounded similar. It is a 1981 model, reknown for unreliability and poor assembly, however I liked the look of the model..I sent it off to Oleg K for treatment, who advised me that it was well made, apart from the shutter assembly, which was woeful. Back it came a couple of weeks later and it is great. The shutter is sweet and with the Helios lens produces wonderful pictures. Does anyone else have a story to tell?

 

[john341]

Whoops

Whoops

Kiev 4AM I think I meant...

 

[Frontman]

I found a non-working Contax II for cheap, and Oleg did a good job of repairing it. I use it wih a Jupter 3 lens, and it also takes great photos. I have a Kiev II which someone thoughtfully overhauled using Contax parts, and it too is a good shooter.

 

[john341]

Contax II

Contax II

plus J-3 equals great combo. I have a 1960 J3 on an elderly Kiev and it produces such sharp pictures..and to think that they can be found for really reasonable prices..bright sunny condition here in Oz means use a sunshade out of doors.

 

[DCphotos]

I have a Kiev rangefinder I love. I have the Helios 53 and the Jupiter 35 for it and an old beat up Contax 35mm finder. I have dragged that thing around and abused it as a camera should be, got some great images and I think I'm going to get a lot more.

 

[DCphotos]

All shot with the Kiev.

 

[D.O'K.]

I've just bought my 5th Kiev in about 10 years, the first four having failed after little use with shutter siezure in three cases and rangefinder problems in one.

As the quoted cost of repairs always exceeded their value by at least 250% I just kept buying replacements, rightly or wrongly.

Perhaps it's been bad luck--particularly as only one camera post-dated 1976, said to be the worst era of quality control--but my expectations of the new purchase are now very low.

The trouble is I really like the lenses, as well as something of the heavy, clunky, "worthy" handling of the bodies. I've even got a slight affection for the quarter-teaspoonful of sand the factory added to the transport mechanism.

Masochism?

Regards,
D.

 

[kuzano]

1952 Kiev (KNEB)

1952 Kiev (KNEB)

eBay purchase some years ago. Jupiter 8, supposedly CLA, but don't know by who.

Great condition and excellent performance. Original box, number of filters, hood