Kiev 4am film advance/shutter cocking?

[John Bailey]

Hi all,

I haven't posted much since I joined but . . . for those of you that have the Kiev RF is the film advance/shutter cocking knob require a firm grip and wrist action to operate.
Does my camera need a CLA?

John

 

[John Bailey]

I made a mistake. My Kiev is not the more "M"odern model 4am but the 4a with the large diameter advand and rewind knobs.

John

 

[John Bailey]

keiv winding

keiv winding

Mine takes a good grip on the skimpy knurling on the knob. But, it isn't hard to wind at all.

Can you wind it with the camera still up to your eye? I also have to pull up on the knob for it to cock the shutter correctly.

John

 

[Kin Lau]

Depending on what you're used to, that sounds about right. The only non-lever film advances that I can do with just my fingers are the Fed 2 and Leica IIIa, all my other Kievs, Zorki's require wrist action. Even my old Contaflex did as well.

 

[John Bailey]

Kin,

I was amazed when I tried a friend's Leica IIIc. Even with film loaded the advance knob operated as smooth as butter. I could almost wind it using only the side of my index finger stroking the knob from palm to tip! The camera came from a Russian flea market and has probably never been CLA'd.

 

[Kin Lau]

Just use the camera for a while, sometimes, that's really all that it needs. The Fed 2 I have looks really well worn, but it's also the smoothest of the FSU RF's.