Kiev 5, what do you think?

[valdas]

I will go see this afternoon a guy selling Kiev 5. I've read it's quite rare model.

http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?-273961217

Asking price is around 100 EUR (with Helios lens). Is it worth paying this money if camera is in good condition?

 

[wolves3012]

They are big, heavy and have (I believe) a non-standard mount so lenses would be a problem. Depends if you want to use is or just admire it. If you want a user, find a Kiev 4a or 4am, much more practical and probably cheaper. If you want the metered versions they were 4 and 4m but the meters are usually long dead!

 

[valdas]

Good point - it comes with Helios 94, which is probably the only lens I'll be able to mount on this Kiev... And because I'm not a collector (not yet), maybe I'll better check Kiev 4. Kiev 4 also looks nicer to me, Kiev 5 is quite ugly to me...

 

[Sonnar Brian]

It will take all external mount lenses for the Kiev.

It is not a reliable camera, the lever advance can be a problem. It is uncommon, and that is a good price. If it is all working, it is worth it.

 

[wlewisiii]

I used one for about a year and had a Voightlander 35/2.5 SC lens with it. It was, as noted above, a big & heavy monster. BUT the viewfinder is the best on any FSU camera, the lever wind is nice and the meter was actually usable as it was more accurate than any Kiev 4 that I used.

I'd say look for brassing - if it is around the edges & on the advance lever, then buy it. It was used and is likely to still work. If it looks new, then avoid it as it probably never worked right.

E100 is a bit more than I'd pay, but not unreasonable.

Good luck.

William

 

[Spider67]

100 Euro is a good price. I bought about 30 € more for mine. The viewfinder is great and parallax corrected but its size makes it a bit of an Anti-RF as there are lighter SLRs.
It is a good addition to a collection but it is not ultra rare.

 

[valdas]

well, I passed it. I checked it - worked well, but not my cup of tea, just too big and design is not the retro I like...

but...

I could not resist the temptation and bought early Zorki model (I think it's 1B type 2)?