Kiev infinity lock

[manfromh]

So i have a Kiev 4a, which is absolutely gorgeus, except for a few problems. The infinity lock is not a problem, but its still a bit annoying. Is there a way to disable it without breaking anything, or opening up the camera?

Now for the problems. The back of the camera kind of doesnt want to fit well. I guess ill have to search the market for a broken Kiev, to get a new back.

The rangefinder also needs calibration. But since i would be mostly shooting outside with apertures between 5.6 and 16, then would the misalignment be a problem?

 

[Ash]

I can't help with all of the above, but the infinity lock is something you'll get used to. After a week or the equivalent of maybe 3 or 4 rolls through the camera, you'll be a pro and will love that little lock.

I think there's stuff on the kiev survival site about alignment issues, but I'm not sure how exactly you do it.


Make sure the back of the camera doesn't fit because of the back, not because of YOU. I know this sounds like I'm starting an argument, but it's true. My back was really difficult to fit on, until I realised there is a nack to it. Take the spool etc out and lay the back flat on the camera, slide it gently in and wiggle it a little til it 'pop's in place.

When you have a spool in, make sure it is as central in its bay as you can, or it won't mate with the back of the camera.

 

[manfromh]

I can get it to place fine now, but it still looks a little weird. I just hope it wont cause light leaks

 

[santino]

rangefinder calibration is a tough one with kievs, you would have to dismantle it completely (take out the shutter) but usually it's pretty hard to knock a kiev's RF out of alignment.

 

[manfromh]

rangefinder calibration is a tough one with kievs, you would have to dismantle it completely (take out the shutter) but usually it's pretty hard to knock a kiev's RF out of alignment.

right now im trying the "simple method" from Kiev Survival Site. Its hard to get it exactly right


EDIT: And done.

 

[Ash]

Run a film through it and let us know if it's ok 🙂

 

[manfromh]

Run a film through it and let us know if it's ok 🙂

Yeah, but thats gonna take a week or two

 

[ErnestoJL]

You need the infinity lock to hold the inner breech lock (bayonet) mount steady for changing normal (50-53mm) lenses which fit the internal rotating mount.
Normal lenses (only) are focused by means of the tiny wheel, then when focusing you have to press the small tab to unlock the lens.
At the first time it results to be a little annoying, but you´ll get used to it very soon.
All the other lenses (tele and WA) should be focused by rotating it´s focus ring, not from the wheel. Besides any other lens in Contax/Kiev mount will mount in the outer bayonet, and unlock automatically the infinity lock (the moving pin located at 2 hrs. seen from the front).

The back requires a small trick to fit properly:
Once you have both locks freed, slide the back downwards about 5 to 6.5 mm.
Then, lift the back.
Reverse procedure for closing the camera, before checking (as Ash suggested) the take up spool is correctly placed.

Light leaks may be caused by either a distorted back, and / or lack of the yak wool threads inside the light trap grooves in the body.
If the threads are missing or in bad shape, you can replace them with black wool.
There is another cause and it is located inside the camera body.
If the camera was opened and some of the black paper pieces removed, then light may find it´s way to your negs. I guess Russ Pinchbeck has it explained in the Kiev Survival Site.
If you open the camera, take care to replace the paper pieces exactly at the places they were.

Hope it helps to enjoy a fine camera. And hope your first negs are OK!

Cheers
Ernesto

 

[Xmas]

You can wedge something in the infinity lock pin slot near to the lens mount.

With the provision that it should not be possible for the added item to slip under the front plate as it is difficult to remove the front plate.

Noel.

 

[varjag]

All the other lenses (tele and WA) should be focused by rotating it´s focus ring, not from the wheel.

You can "officially" focus RF-coupling wideangles (for Kiev it means Jupiter-12) with focusing wheel, it has been documented somewhere, maybe in the user manual. Not the teles though.

 

[Xmas]

Eugene
Only one of my four J4's is ok... the short CV are supposed to all be good
Noel