Kiev II 1949 and 3K ZK Zopkuù collapsible lens for sale

[supermarcel23]

Hello.
I am selling a part of my collection.
Here is a beautiful 100% working and averhauled kiev II from 1949, that is flawless, and original, with beautiful lens.
It is for sale on ebay too, but I will be glad to offer a discount to a rangefinder enthousiast and shoot the ebay ad if things go well.
New shutter ribbons installed from original Arsenal spare parts.
Professionnal CLA of shutter and rangefinder, registry distance adjusted to match Zeiss specifications.
Difficult to find in such condition.
Email me for a zip folder full of detailed pictures.
Price asked would be around 450 bucks.

 

[darkkavenger]

Interesting to see a breton here You had a nice lens up on eBay recently, too bad I had already exceeded my purchase quote for the month of march... Your Kiev is very elegant and I wish I could afford it.

Bonne chance et Kenavo!
Max

 

[supermarcel23]

Hello and thanks for the kind words.
Yes I had some interesting lenses and this is my last RF camera for sale but as I have bought a full bunch of Canon lenses for my IIF I need some money back ! I noticed bids from the czech republic but didn't know it was you.
Here are some more pictures.

 

[darkkavenger]

Il est vraiment magnifique, ce Kiev-II ... Je risque de craquer... ah si j'étais riche!

 

[rolleistef]

ouaah ça c'est de l'appareil... A 1949 Kiev II! and its Jupiter3 from the same era! It is a Contax after all... sorry already pleased with my Kiev IIIa! happy selling
vivent les posts franco-français!
Stéphane

 

[back alley]

i'm not used to seeing a kiev at such a high price.
is this camera as close to a contax as you can get without the cantax name on it?

does the date of manufacture mean it's contax parts but made in russia?

very curious.
joe

 

[taffer]

I think that 47, 48 and 49 Kievs are as rare by themselves (not to say on this condition!) that the like-Contax is in fact not the important thing here I think CameraQuest has some information on these models.

They are true pieces of history, and incredibly beautiful ones, btw.

Good luck !!!

Oscar

 

[ruben]

i'm not used to seeing a kiev at such a high price.
is this camera as close to a contax as you can get without the cantax name on it?

does the date of manufacture mean it's contax parts but made in russia?

very curious.
joe

The inference from the price is (or should be) that mechanically and optically there should be no practical difference at all between it and an overhauled Contax. Am I correct ?

 

[darkkavenger]

There's a possibility I'll end up selling my Kiev-2A to be able to purchase this rarity, and maybe also my Carl Zeiss Sonnar 4/300 ...

 

[darkkavenger]

You guys decided to make me faint right ?
What about the Kiev TTL prototype ? I can invest 300 € in that

Nicolas: i'm going to reply to your pm right now! (sorry for the 1week delay)

 

[darkkavenger]

Howzabout investing your money in a less expensive genuine Contax, Max ?

check my pm, Nicolas

 

[outfitter]

These cameras have been called “a German Contax made in Ukraine” as they have some original parts, were made on an assembly line specially manufactured after the war in Jena and shipped to Kiev and were made under the supervision of Zeiss technicians. Some Zeiss specifications were loosened up and some parts modified but the value is not from the fact that it is "almost a Contax" but the rarity of the cameras and the historic interest as they are prior to the wholly Soviet made camera (probably after 1950). Some of the 3K Sonnar lens mounts are clearly Zeiss as they have Zeiss assembly numbers internally but no one knows or can show that the glass is German.

This is a very fair price for a correct example, especially as it has been brought up to spec for actual use - an original Contax II can be purchased for less but probably costs more after a re-build. In use you would find no difference but I bet the investment value of the 1949 Kiev is greater than a common Contax II in comparable condition.

Michael

 

[darkkavenger]

Welcome to RFF, outfitter

As you point out, the odyssey from Dresden/Jena to Kiev is an historical event of importance with many consequences both for the German and Soviet optical industry.

 

[supermarcel23]

For $450.00, howzabout removing these two nasty bumps under the camera back leather, and telling the RFF members a bit more about how the shutter performs over 1/125s ?

Very nice and rare Kiev II actually (maybe a little bit overpriced, though).

This is where it is all about :

-The bumps don't hurt me and give this Kiev a Contax touch to my taste. The best is the good's enemy I think.

-How many kievs can reach the 1/1250s top speed without tensionning too much the main shutter spring ? As it is a rare model, and I don't want to break it, I choose to not tension too much this spring, that's all. We have good and 100% accurate speeds up to 1/125 then 1/25O->1/166 1/500->1/250 1/1250->1/500.
It is really illusory to think a nearly 60 year old camera can reach its original condition after having been used all this time, and with the lack of new spare parts...I would say it is a miracle it still works well.

-How many kiev owner's has an electronic shutter tester to see that usually 98% of the Kiev RF has in fact a 1/500s or less instead ? usually 1/350...

-How many from us use the 1/500 everyday ?

Nicolas, we had some relationship troubles in another forum because of a well known Contax expert that you seem not to like very much. As I am too now a professional camera repair, I don't think this camera is overpriced with twenty hours of labor in it to make it a nice working camera. With this price, I am loosing my money and my time. Hours of work are money. This is my way of living.

 

[supermarcel23]

Last message ever in RFF forum. Asked to cancel my account. Bye everybody ! Tired of photo snobbery.