kiev 5 question

[nzeeman]

i have a few questions about this camera - what lenses from old kievs are compatible with it? and how big is it compared to old kievs 2,3,4? if someone have a photo with kiev 5 and kiev 4 side by side please share it with us. thanks in advance for all info.

 

[Carlos Cruz]

http://www.rus-camera.com/camera.php?page=kiev&camera=kiev5

 

[rxmd]

Hi Srđan,

i have a few questions about this camera - what lenses from old kievs are compatible with it?

All that use the external bayonet, meaning all except the J-3, J-8 and Helios-103. The Kiev-5 came with its own version of the Jupiter-8, called Jupiter-8 NB (I would expect that to stand for наружный байонет "outer bayonet").

and how big is it compared to old kievs 2,3,4? if someone have a photo with kiev 5 and kiev 4 side by side please share it with us.

I don't have a photo side by side, but it's quite clunky. I've seen one here on the market. The main difference is that the body is higher; the camera all in all is maybe a little bit higher than a Kiev-III with the light meter. The finder is very, very good, on the same level as the Drug's.

Philipp

 

[zhang xk]

i have a few questions about this camera - what lenses from old kievs are compatible with it? and how big is it compared to old kievs 2,3,4? if someone have a photo with kiev 5 and kiev 4 side by side please share it with us. thanks in advance for all info.

I have 3 of these. Phillipe is right that it is about the same size as a Kiev 3. It has a parallex correction finder that is comparable to Leica M's for brightness,and the whole viewfinder area could be used roughly for 35mm wideangle lens. It has an automatic return frame counter, and a buit-in meter. The camera can be both nob and lever wind. Cameras made later than 1973 has a frame line in the finder for 85mm lens. This camera must have been very expensive when new for all these new features.

In my other thread, I said it is the most complex rangefiner camera ever made.😀

Cheers,

Zhang

 

[outfitter]

Hi Srđan,


All that use the external bayonet, meaning all except the J-3, J-8 and Helios-103. The Kiev-5 came with its own version of the Jupiter-8, called Jupiter-8 NB (I would expect that to stand for наружный байонет "outer bayonet"). Philipp

Later versions circa 1971/72 came with a 50/1.8 Helios-94 a very capable performer similar to the Helios 103

Michael

 

[nzeeman]

In my other thread, I said it is the most complex rangefiner camera ever made.😀

oooooops that thread :bang: 😀 😀

and kiev5 uses same mechanism as kiev4 ,am i right? could we use kiev 4 parts for repairing (i mean curtains and stuff like that - i know that VF/RF parts are different)

 

[rxmd]

Hi Srđan,

oooooops that thread :bang: 😀 😀

Never mind. **** happens. We live and learn. 😉

and kiev5 uses same mechanism as kiev4 ,am i right? could we use kiev 4 parts for repairing (i mean curtains and stuff like that - i know that VF/RF parts are different)

I wouldn't count on it too much. I guess the shutter itself hasn't changed too much, so curtains might be exchangeable, but already the rewind mechanism is a little different. I'll try to ask some repairman here if he can provide more detail, it might take some time.

Philipp

 

[Spider67]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for posting! I have a Kiev 5 coming and I am very eager to learn as much as possible about it...strange to get a camera that for quite a long time was a legend or only a "prototype". So If if I am lucky I will have 50mm and 85 mm framelines in it!

oooooops that thread :bang: 😀 😀

Don't worry! I am from Bulgaria and we could easily start a thread of our own (about the common history of our countries) that could easily become the mother of all flame wars😀 😛 😀

 

[ruben]

Thanks for posting! I have a Kiev 5 coming and I am very eager to learn as much as possible about it...strange to get a camera that for quite a long time was a legend or only a "prototype". So If if I am lucky I will have 50mm and 85 mm framelines in it!.........

Hi Spider,
I am highly interested in this camera and would thank you if you post your first impressions after getting it, as well as later after some rolls. The only thing I have to comment is that I have read it is a rather delicate camera, but it was just a reading and I have never got hold of one of these. The descriptions about it are extremely unsatisfactory. So I wait for you.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[ruben]

I have 3 of these. Phillipe is right that it is about the same size as a Kiev 3. It has a parallex correction finder that is comparable to Leica M's for brightness,and the whole viewfinder area could be used roughly for 35mm wideangle lens. It has an automatic return frame counter, and a buit-in meter. The camera can be both nob and lever wind. Cameras made later than 1973 has a frame line in the finder for 85mm lens. This camera must have been very expensive when new for all these new features.

In my other thread, I said it is the most complex rangefiner camera ever made.😀

Cheers,

Zhang

Hi Zhang,
I don't know if it would be too much of a request, but a rather lengthy article by you about the Kiev 5 may be of great interest, at least for me. I have not found a satisfactory one anywhere. And I trust very much your opinion.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[nzeeman]

Hi Zhang,
I don't know if it would be too much of a request, but a rather lengthy article by you about the Kiev 5 may be of great interest, at least for me. I have not found a satisfactory one anywhere. And I trust very much your opinion.

Cheers,
Ruben

i would also like to see that article - i searched the net all around but i never find anything detailed - and they are to expensive to buy one and check out. 🙁

 

[zhang xk]

Hi Zhang,
I don't know if it would be too much of a request, but a rather lengthy article by you about the Kiev 5 may be of great interest, at least for me. I have not found a satisfactory one anywhere. And I trust very much your opinion.

Cheers,
Ruben

Hello Ruben,

No problem. I can add a few more details based on my observation of my 3 Kiev 5s with a few images. I understand that there are also many versions. I believe that the latest ones made in 1973 should be the best as technology matures.
This is not a camera that one can repair without some special tools. So I have no experience reparing this camera.
A 50/0.9! lens was made for Kiev 5. I think the Soviets tried to made the Kiev 5 as a Soviet Nikon SP.😀

Cheers,

Zhang

 

[zhang xk]

More details about Kiev 5

More details about Kiev 5

Here are some quick shots about details of Kiev 5.

It has an automatic return frame counter and a build-in meter. The black nob with shutter speeds is for setting speeds the same way as a Kiev 4, and can be used to wind film. The metal washer must be removed if you want to take off the top plate. More follows.

Cheers,

Zhang

 

[nzeeman]

zhang do you maybe consider selling one of three kievs - some that you dont care much for?

 

[zhang xk]

Here are some quick shots about details of Kiev 5.

It has an automatic return frame counter and a build-in meter. The black nob with shutter speeds is for setting speeds the same way as a Kiev 4, and can be used to wind film. The metal washer must be removed if you want to take off the top plate. More follows.

Cheers,

Zhang

It has a flip-out crank for film re-winding. The the strap lugs are moved to the front to make space for this crank.

Two common normal lenses were made for Kiev 5. Some later Kiev 5 still has a Jupiter 8NB lens. The infinate button above the lens mount is elimintaed after
1971.

 

[zhang xk]

It has a flip-out crank for film re-winding. The the strap lugs are moved to the front to make space for this crank.

Two common normal lenses were made for Kiev 5. Some later Kiev 5 still has a Jupiter 8NB lens. The infinate button above the lens mount is elimintaed after
1971.

There is a locking key for the film rewind button on the bottom plate that was eliminated on 1971 model Kiev 5. And the frame counter release lever can be seen here.

 

[zhang xk]

There is a locking key for the film rewind button on the bottom plate that was eliminated on 1971 model Kiev 5. And the frame counter release lever can be seen here.

My general impression of Kiev 5 is that the later ones are better made. My 1973 model has additional frame lines for 85mm lens. These cameras can be both nob and lever wound, and the winding are very smooth.IMO,they are not delicate cameras with the same shutter as that of Contax-Kiev, but I have never used this camera.😱 These are heavy and bulky cameras that weighs about 1200g with a normal lens and leather case. The finish is O.K, but the camera does not look pretty to me. However, its uglynesss may have some sort of beauty with a Russian flavour. I wish it still has the early 1960's Kiev 4 back that was more solidly made. I also wish that it has a diopter adjustment as that of Zorki 4s.

Unlike Nikon S rangefinders, Kiev 5 still has the excellent Contax II metal shutter that can trace its origin to Contax I of early 1930's, and I think it is the top line camera of Kiev-Contax rangefiner cameras. It no doubt has one of the brightest view finder of all Kievs.
I am not sure how many Kiev 5s were made, but I would guess far less than Leica M3s. So if you can find a later Kiev 5 in excellent condition with a reasonable price, it is a camera to have as both a collectable and a user.

Cheers,

Zhang

 

[zhang xk]

zhang do you maybe consider selling one of three kievs - some that you dont care much for?

Hi nzeeman,

My 3 Kiev 5s are not exactly the same, and I like to have more versions of a camera. I have 6 Kiev IIs made in different years, and with dual logos and block logos. So, I am very sorry.😱 I think I saw them listed on the big bay quite often for about $100-150. More expensive than a Kiev 4, but good price for such a camera IMO.

Cheers,

Zhang

 

[rolleistef]

interesting features... a tri-focal finder and a lever-winder... but have there ever been any other lenses except the 50 for the k5??

 

[zhang xk]

interesting features... a tri-focal finder and a lever-winder... but have there ever been any other lenses except the 50 for the k5??

Except the normal lenses, all other Kiev mount lenses can be used on a Kiev-5.

Did I mention that there is a super rare Record-4 0.9/50 normal lens?😀