Kiev 4am Frame Spacing

[JWalker]

I recently purchased a very nice Kiev 4am with Helios 103 and Jupiter 12 35mm. I have been shooting for 40 years and wanted to try a Rangefinder again. I've run 4 rolls of B&W through this thing. The Main issue I'm having now is frame spacing. Frame spacing is inconsistent at best. On 2 rolls, frames butted up to each other! My last roll was so far the best, but still not what I would consider normal. Register holes on the film show no signs of tearing or stress..Is this a common problem ? Thanks..Jim

 

[wolves3012]

The Kievs are fairly well known for spacing issues, so you aren't the first to have this. The film winds only around part of the spool, less than if it wound the other way (as most cameras do), meaning a weak pressure plate can allow the film to pass by the sprocket teeth. Usually this causes excessive spacing though.

Things to check: pressure plate spring tension, the tightness of the back and takeup spool friction clutch. The first two may be difficult to solve but the last is adjustable via the screw in the centre of the spool, underneath. I'm not totally familiar with the "am" version so hopefully the clutch is still adjustable in the same way as earlier models. You may actually just have to live with it but lack of spacing suggests a lack of clutch tension may be the cause, that ought to be fixable.

P.S. There's an excellent site for all problems Kiev, here: http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/index.html

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Yes it is common sign what Kiev needs CLA.

 

[Mauro]

I have experienced the same problem with my Kiev 4: I solved it adjusting the takeup spool friction clutch, via the screw in the centre of the spool.
I am confident you can solve it this way.
Kievs are nice cameras, you will enjoy your Kiev