Kiev takeup spool

[iMacfan]

Hi everyone,

I've just bought off flebay a kiev with working lightmeter, and covered in a very fetching blue Lizard skin. While a very nice camera, it is an ergonomic nightmare - the focusing wheel takes chunks out of your finger, and the most comfortable holding position covers up the RF window! Anyhow, I would like to use it but unfortunately it did not come with a takeup spool. Are these easy to come by, or perhaps there is a way I can make my own?

Thanks,

David

 

[newspaperguy]

Here's a little easier way....

http://host.fptoday.com/melek/zeiss/repair/spool.html

Have fun,

Rick

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The spool contained within the Nikon AM-1 film cannister works in my Contax IIIa. They are well made.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43479&item=3876062534

Ebay auction chosen as first at top and with a photo so you could see what to look for. No connection to seller.

 

[Pherdinand]

It took me five minutes to make a takeup spool with the mike elek method above. Good luck!
By the way, why do you use the wheel to focus? I just used to rotate the lens as with any other lens to focus.

 

[dll927]

If the focusing wheel is taking "chunks out of your finger", it needs some attention. The alternative mentioned above is to focus by the lens as with nearly any other camera.

The matter of holding a Contax/Kiev is well-known. Yes, your finger will cover the right rangefinder window. Ever hear of the "Contax hold"? That's where it comes from.

As for take-up spools, both Leicas and Contaxes had come along before Kodak introduced the "standard" 35mm cartridge. The original versions of both brands used proprietary cartridges which were loaded by the user. That didn't stop Cartier-Bresson from becoming famous with a Leica. We are so used to modern conveniences we forget how our forbears had to exist.

 

[Socke]

I just cut off the leader and tape it to a spool from a used cartridge. Works fine 🙂

 

[newspaperguy]

You can use the "cut & tape" method to make "speed-loads".

Just set up two or three rolls ahead of time.

(Sorry Ted, I should have thought of that before!)

Rick

 

[Kin Lau]

I just use a spool from a used cartridge as well. Since I roll my own BW, that means I don't have to cut a leader 🙂. I attached it using a piece of tape.

I do have the metal cartridge designed for the Contax/Kiev, but I don't like to use it.