Kiev rangefinders

[ErnestoJL]

I bought my Kiev 4 during 1982 summer, thinking of it as a disposable & cheap russian made camera (I was lookng for a Contax and the kiev was... almost the same, but...) After the first Ektachrome 64 roll, I decided it was everything else but a disposable camera.
Now she has a companion, a beautifull (but well worn) Contax II made in Dresden in 1937.

If you look for, or feel the need for a Contax, then buy first a Kiev. If you´ll get used to it (and the infamous "Contax grip"), you won´t need anything else for life (other than a real Contax).

Good luck and save money for your next GAS attack!!

Ernesto

 

[nicholas]

Kiev's, Contax's

Kiev's, Contax's

I want to thank all for the responses to my question about the Kiev and Contax. You have excited me. I'll get a Kiev, probably a IV, shoot with it, even go into it if necessary. I'm very good with small precise devices. Then mount a relentless search for a clean Contax IIA. I hope it doesn't take too long, I'm getting pretty old... In the meantime between the Contax G2 and a Kiev IV my B&W/Rangefinfer desires will be banked a bit. Cool?
nicholas

 

[Ash]

Nicholas watch out with using roman numerals for kiev's. The Contax's were II and III... but kievs are almost always listed with typical numbers. I'm not sure I've never searched "Kiev IVa" and got sites regarding a 4a

 

[dll927]

As for "vintage", having perused several websites regarding Kievs, there seems to be a general feeling that they lost quality after the 1960's. There is even one mention of the "powers that were" throwing out an entire month's production because the cameras didn't meet specs.

On most Soviet cameras, the first two digits of the serial number are the year of manufacture, so that's a good guide to go by. They usually also recommend NOT getting a lens with a later number than the body.

There is much discussion about quality and the fact that it's sort of a crap shoot. Apparently a lot depended on how much vodka the comrades consumed the night before.

 

[Ash]

On most Soviet cameras, the first two digits of the serial number are the year of manufacture, so that's a good guide to go by.

That's not true for FED's, however

 

[Duncan Ross]

I went through an attack of GDS about a year ago and whittled the collection to one RF - a Kiev 4 - that I use for everything.

Now I am incredibly unlucky, for example two weeks after selling the last of my 'spare' Kievs the shutter ribbon broke on my keeper and I had to send it to Russia for mending. Nevertheless every Kiev 4 and 4M that I have ever bought has worked fine; no lightleaks, framespacing problems, anything and the J8Ms have all been excellent. The most expensive one, my current one, cost £50 and that was because it had a custom black paintjob which I *love*!

Amazingly I wouldn't swap my Kiev for a Contax now. I'm not an inverted snob, I am just so comfortable with the Kiev that I don't want to learn another camera - even a better one. My advice is go for a cheap Kiev 4 and find out if you like it or not before looking at the more pricey models. It's such a strange camera you will either love or hate it so why not get a cheap one first?

 

[ZeissFan]

Actually, the Kiev is a Contax with a different nameplate. Any Contax repair guy should be able to install new shutter straps for you -- it's not a terribly difficult job. Time consuming, but not difficult.

A Kiev that I worked on that was very well made. And aside from two parts, it was indistinguishable (internally) from a Contax.

 

[40oz]

I've got a '79 Kiev 4. The meter works fine, it agrees with every other camera I have. The frame spacing is fine, very regular and close. The shutter seems to be accurate and reliable as far as I can tell so far. It was a bit stiff at first from sitting, but dry firing it while watching TV seemed to work that out. Both the lens and body have a very solid, "quality" feel.

Don't try to get a "cheap" kiev. If you do, you will be one of those with stories to tell of "questionable Russian quality control." Seriously, if you buy a POS for bottom dollar, why would anyone expect it to be perfect?

I look at all the pictures, and try to buy one that looks clean, no visible cosmetic defects, and a reasonable price. I got mine for ~$40 plus shipping off the auction site, after a careful search for the "right one." I probably only looked for a week or so before the one I bought showed up. They aren't rare by any means, so I see no reason to try to save a few bucks and buy a piece of crap. The very fact that they are cheap is an argument against this kind of approach - for a few bucks more, literally, you can get a fine specimen.

It isn't the law of averages that is responsible for different experiences regarding Kiev cameras, it is buyer savvy.

 

[Duncan Ross]

Yep, this broadly reflects my experience too. When I suggested to go for a cheap one earlier I meant a Kiev 4 rather than a Kiev 2 or 3 at this stage. Some Kievs are 'too cheap', and there are definitely some reputable sellers that will make sure you get a good one.

 

[Xmas]

I want to thank all for the responses to my question about the Kiev and Contax. You have excited me. I'll get a Kiev, probably a IV, shoot with it, even go into it if necessary. I'm very good with small precise devices. Then mount a relentless search for a clean Contax IIA. I hope it doesn't take too long, I'm getting pretty old... In the meantime between the Contax G2 and a Kiev IV my B&W/Rangefinfer desires will be banked a bit. Cool?
nicholas

Nicholas

Screwdrivers and cotton buds, are small?

Noel

 

[Ash]

I'm not sure when my Kiev is from, but I'd never sell it. To be honest I can't. The Bulb setting doesn't work, and the 'zip' sound of the shutter makes me think it's sluggish. I love the camera though. I bought it from Spark on this forum, and he had modified it to have a Contax nameplate also. It's a kiev in disguise 😉

I offered it to a friend to fund the Contax purchase, then realised it was a bad idea, I loved it too much, so for the same price they're getting the Zorki AND Fed.

I hope it still gets use once the 'real thing' arrives.