Kiev RF Problem

[Justin Low]

I have a problem with my Kiev 4A's RF. It seemed to work fine earlier today, but when I now use it, the images in the viewfinder do not move from about 3 metres and up.

If I focus on a distant object, the reading off the scale is around 2m. If at infinity, the images are kinda far off.

I don't remember dropping it, or having any impacts. Any idea what could be wrong? Thanks!

 

[Stu W]

Justin, if it's the same as the Contax, if the screws that secure the front chrome plate are put in the wrong holes they will bind the rangefinder. Loosen the 2 screws on the shutter release side and see if the rangefinder then moves free. Stu

 

[wyk_penguin]

Go and have a look on the Kiev Survival Site.

 

[Justin Low]

Stu, that didn't work. I looked at the Kiev Survival Site, but I'm not sure what's wrong with it.

Perhaps here's another way I can describe the problem: assuming I focus from 0.9m to infinity, at 3m, the image in the RF stops moving; I can continue to focus till the scale reads infinity, but nothing happens.

 

[doubs43]

What lens do you have mounted? That sounds like a problem that sometimes happens when a J-9 or J-11 is mounted and the internal coupling doesn't connect correctly. When I mount a lens, the RF is set for infinity and then I run the focus through the entire range. If it doesn't go all the way to it's maximum settings, there's usually a point at which the RF stops and at that point I reverse focus and then try again. Usually the coupling then connects correctly. Somes lenses are more stubborn than others and must be played with a little.

Walker

 

[Justin Low]

This happens with both my J8 and J12. And without a lens too, just from turning the focusing wheel.

 

[Branestawm]

Take a look at Henry Scherer's Contax site. It shows a Contax II on which the moving rangefinder lens has come detatched from its carrier. This might cause the problem you describe.

 

[rpinchbeck]

Justin,

This could be a tough situation to diagnose without pulling the top off to observe the action of the rangefinder compensator arm. My WAG (Wild Ass Guess) would be that for some reason the rangefinder compensator arm is binding up. Possibly gummed up lubricant on the compensator pivot, maybe even some thing physical is interfering with the compensator arm.

Consider that at .9m setting the compensator arm is physically pushed to the extent of it's movement by the worm gear arm. When you change the focus from .9m towards infinity the worm gear arm moves and the compensator arm is spring loaded to keep in contact with it. If for what ever reason there exists a binding point then the compensator arm would travel only to that point and then stop moving and not affect the actual focus whell action.

Again its just my WAG.

Cheers,

Russ Pinchbeck

 

[Justin Low]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm now in the process of stripping down the Kiev. Just finished removing the shutter module. Easier than it looked.

 

[Justin Low]

I removed the beam splitter glass and saw that the compensator arm was not contacting the worm gear arm until about 3m or so. I loosened the pivot screw a little and the compensator arm jumped back into contact.

I've partially put the camera back so I can take a break. Couple of things I noticed: I have to realign the rangefinder, and the shutter does not close fully sometimes, i.e. there is a gap.

Can anyone help me out with the shutter? What do I have to do?

 

[Justin Low]

Rangefinder and shutter are mostly good now. Except I can't select the slower shutter speeds. Any idea why?

 

[dll927]

It sounds like you are going from one thing to another! Ever considered another sample of the camera? Here in California, when it comes to cars at least, we have what is called a "lemon law". Lemon being defined as one that doesn't work right. Send it back for another sample.

 

[pangkievrange]

Sometimes, you may move the speed disc and have a serious consequence (in most of time, moving the disc is not a big deal). If you can wind the shutter, you should check the speed disc selector (the notches)to see if you can fix it there. Otherwise, it's going to be very complicate.

Rangefinder and shutter are mostly good now. Except I can't select the slower shutter speeds. Any idea why?

 

[Justin Low]

Looks like I pretty much fixed everything. Except one bit that seems to have broken off. It's the fixture holding the spring that acts on the arm to stop the film advance from turning too far. Does anyone have a spare?