Kiev Rangefinders......

[SolaresLarrave]

I fell for a Kiev. It's the odd bird in my (working) camera collection. I still haven't put any film in it, but I will do it as soon as I return from my trip. I think I'll take it for a stroll in Chicago and check the results. Of course, it'll be with color print film, or B&W (home developed).

It looks funky, the lenses are clean, but, aside from a strange, earthy smell, it seems perfectly operative to me.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Too true, I have a main camera system (Minolta SLR c/w a reasonable collection of Minolta primes) for when I want to carry out serious photography and be assured of consistently high quality images. Otherwise I chose to buy into the FSU rangefinders because (A) they look cool, (B) they're fun to play with, (C) they don't cost me an arm and a leg to buy and they shouldn't because I don't intend them for serious heavy duty shooting.

Not everyone can afford a luxury such as a Nikon or Leica for the limited use they might actually recieve and so the FSU equipment is a happy stopgap. Besides finding a good user is all part of the excitement - consider it photographic russian roulette, the thrill is in the chase!

Just a thought: I can't read your yellow text on the white background I prefer for this forum.

Cheers,

R.

 

[dee]

The yellow text blurs for me too .
If you simply wish to play with a rangefiinder camera , maybe try a Leica IIc - they are plentifull , reliable and not too expensive ?
dee

 

[giovatony]

The yellow text blurs for me too .
If you simply wish to play with a rangefiinder camera , maybe try a Leica IIc - they are plentifull , reliable and not too expensive ?
dee

For For $200-$400 you can get a Leica with no lens that in all probablility shows it`s age and needs some work. I have a Kiev 4a and Zorky 3 both are like new , CLA`d , smooth as butter AND with beautiful lenses and tough leather cases and I paid less than $125 each (with CLA`s)
The last 2 Leicas I bought needed to be CLA`d too and they weren`t any better at taking pictures than any of my FSU`s.
I know from experience that those old leicas need as much attention as most FSU`s .
John

 

[matchat]

Just a thought: I can't read your yellow text on the white background I prefer for this forum.

Cheers,

R.

Sorry everybody, I chose the yellow text because I found it easier to distinguish than the grey text against the black background. I'll leave it on the standard setting from now on.

 

[wolves3012]

Not everyone can afford a luxury such as a Nikon or Leica for the limited use they might actually recieve and so the FSU equipment is a happy stopgap. Besides finding a good user is all part of the excitement - consider it photographic russian roulette, the thrill is in the chase

That's part of the charm of the FSUs for me - I've built up a fair collection of them for relatively little outlay. I did splash out on one Leica (body) and it cost 4-5 times that of one FSU. Yes, it's better made, smoother etc but the lens takes the picture not the body. Value-for-money goes to the FSUs

Of the FSUs I've bought (about 20) most worked as they came. About 5 worked properly, one turned up with holed curtains and the rest needed some minor work to get them working fully. All of them have been CLAd and RFs adjusted etc, mainly because I have the knowledge and tools to do the work.

 

[timmyd18]

at this point, there's even a disparity on which FSU gear commands high prices.

a few months ago, i decided I wanted a Jupiter 12. At that point, my FSU cameras were a Fed 2b and a Fed 5c. The cheapest Jupiter 12 in LTM I could find was 50 USD (I know that's not a bad price, but I'm broke.)

The only reason I now own a Kiev was that I could get a J12 that fit it for 25 bucks, and this 1984 4am with a case and a Helios 103 also cost 25 bucks. This combination is currently my favorite, and has been seeing more use than my other cameras.

(all prices not including shipping)

I guess my point is that shooting Kiev can be a bargain even compared to other FSU stuff, and it doesn't disappoint. Clearly 50 bucks for two nice lenses and a user body is a different league than a Nikon or even a nicer Kiev or Fed, but I've had good luck with this stuff

 

[nzeeman]

I guess my point is that shooting Kiev can be a bargain even compared to other FSU stuff, and it doesn't disappoint. Clearly 50 bucks for two nice lenses and a user body is a different league than a Nikon or even a nicer Kiev or Fed, but I've had good luck with this stuff

kiev is a great camera - i think that it has sharpest and finest photos of all cameras i tried. especially with jupiter 8 from 50s...