Kiev- unlucky cameras? (Or I'll just stick to FED or Zorki)

ZorkiKat said:
Since comparisons with cars and bikes have already been made in this thread, I would compare a Zorki-1 or FED-1 to a Volkswagen. Reliable, even after all these years. Possible to fix, and once fixed, can go on and on. Hard to swat, and will keep on buzzing. That's probably why my Zorki/FED to Kiev ratio is almost 10:1. 😀

In use, I've never been able to shoot as quick with the Kiev as I could with the FED or Zorki. I've never missed a shot with the Barnack types. Even with their
separate VF/RF eyepieces. So I may not miss the Kiev so much- except for the same reason as you do- the "look" from the lenses, particularly the Helios 103. I never found the Kiev an easy tool to use for street and candid photography- that's just me. :angel:

Jay
Click to expand...
Jay,

If you're comparing the Zorki/FED to the VW Beetle, I'm not sure I'd agree. I used to own one and there isn't much I haven't done on them. Unlike the Zorki/FED, the Beetle was littered with design faults and not half as reliable as the reputation they claimed. If you want a motoring analogy, try the Citroen 2CV engine - simple (but not crude) and indestructible, given basic servicing. Oh, and you don't have to take the car off the engine to remove it either, you take the engine out of the car - easily!

I'm with you on the Kiev's usability. I, too, find them a cumbersome camera but I do like them all the same. Yes, they're complex but they have a certain charm for that very reason. I'm not keen to take one apart either!
 
I'm with you too. As former owner of 6 Kievs and 2 Contax' IIa I'm kinda dissapointed. Non of them (Kievs) worked they way they should, CLA and small repairs held them alive but all broke one day. Now I've got several fine Zeiss lenses plus FSU stuff and no camera to mount on 😀
I like the Kievs anyways, I just don't rely on them.
 
Hi Zorki/Fed folks,

This thread is making me feel bad and worse. I cannot stand seeing you suffering so much with your undesired Kievs, or hearing broken ribbons crying from your mouths as if your Kievs were pale shadows from the other world.

Therefore,
I begg you for your own sake,
release yourselves from that burden!
Stop carrying the cross of martyrdom.
Take action without delay !
Mail me those crippled bodies and I will give them warm shelter.

Cheers,
Ruben

17/b Habanai St
Jerusalem 96264
Israel
 
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I recently received a Kiev 4A that was just CLA`d from Yuri at (Fedka) . It seems to be just fine with no problems so far at 2 rolls put thru and developed.
Hopefully it will keep going strong . I think it might be my last Kiev regardless.
To me the Kiev`s feel tinney and hollow and cheaply made , not the solid quality feel of my Zorki`s or Fed.
That said , I am getting good images from the Kiev 4A and having fun with it.
John
 
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jdos2 said:
I STILL wish the Kievs I have worked well enough to encourage me to use 'em.

They don't, and I don't, sadly enough.

I saved most of the bodies to be sacrificed in the "Contax/Kiev to M-Mount Adapter," but recently sold off several of the lenses. Time to go through and get rid of the bodies, I think...
Click to expand...


As ruben said, don't give up on the Kievs just yet. It took me 4 tries and I finally got one that worked great. An early 70s 4A of all things. The 50s Kiev 2 that I have is alright, but I think the shutter is too tight. You are more than welcome to PM me and discuss getting some of yours running right. The only thing it will cost you is postage. I figure that we could get at least two running bodies out of your graveyard. If you are interested PM me and we can start figuring out which would be the best canidates. Again, no cost to you except postage. I just love tinkering with these cameras.
 
IMO, A Kiev or a Contax is no more difficult to service than a Zorki or Fed. They have self contained sub-assembly components. I don't think I have seen Ruben's detailed procedure for Kiev repairs. Do you?
 
So an operation...

So an operation...

is necessary. This is pretty much the reason why I considered converting a Zorki 4's threadmount into a Kiev bayonet.

Hi Ruben,
Now that's a nice try!:angel: But being somewhat necrophiliac I'll keep mine🙂

My working Kiev is a Kiev 5 my other two Kiev do have some problems.
 
Spider67 said:
....Hi Ruben,
Now that's a nice try!:angel: But being somewhat necrophiliac I'll keep mine🙂
.
Click to expand...


Hi Spider,
Yours is not a bad try as well. So when you do collect to much corpses, you know what to do.

The issue is that not all the posters are necophiliac, but rather simply frustrated.

And I do agree with them that if they persist in not learning the Kiev innards, frustration will only grow. So Save Your Souls, send me those crappy cameras you wish to smash into the wall.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
santino said:
Ruben, I'll keep your offer in mind. 🙂
Click to expand...

Take care about what you write. I may even be sending you monthly reminders.

🙂

Cheers,
Ruben

PS
Now, in a serious tone, just think about the empty place you may gain, the worries you will spare, and the GAS horizons it may inspire....
 
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zhang xk said:
IMO, A Kiev or a Contax is no more difficult to service than a Zorki or Fed. They have self contained sub-assembly components. I don't think I have seen Ruben's detailed procedure for Kiev repairs. Do you?
Click to expand...

It is all about tactics Zhang.

First I may collect all possible cameras from the frustrated minds.

Afterwards, I may explain the proceedings.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
> Can you please give any details of how to convert a Zorki mount into a Kiev mount ?

It's called a Nikon RF. That is essentially what Nikon decided in 1946, put a Leica style shutter into a Contax style body. Problem is, they built the RF to the Leica 51.6mm standard. So what you do is move the Lens Mount out 0.5mm and calibrate the RF on the Nikon to work with FSU lenses, OR shim the FSU lenses to work with the Nikon. I've done both.

Alternately, you can buy a Contax to LTM adapter on Ebay for ~$180. Want to see a picture of a Zorki 3M with a Menopta 53/1.8 on it?

Now- the other way would require a CNC machine. I have one of those at work... a VM-17...
 
I find my Kiev a joy to use, and when I have time to address the shutter ribbon/light leaks I will enjoy working on it (just like the Landrovers and Triumph motorcycles I have owned) and improving it. Next step is a Jupiter 12 🙂
 
Brian Sweeney said:
> Can you please give any details of how to convert a Zorki mount into a Kiev mount ?

It's called a Nikon RF. That is essentially what Nikon decided in 1946, put a Leica style shutter into a Contax style body. Problem is, they built the RF to the Leica 51.6mm standard. So what you do is move the Lens Mount out 0.5mm and calibrate the RF on the Nikon to work with FSU lenses, OR shim the FSU lenses to work with the Nikon. I've done both.

Alternately, you can buy a Contax to LTM adapter on Ebay for ~$180. Want to see a picture of a Zorki 3M with a Menopta 53/1.8 on it?

Now- the other way would require a CNC machine. I have one of those at work... a VM-17...
Click to expand...


Yes can I please see a picture
 
Sadly, the Contax to LTM adapter gets caught by the wedge-shaped RF pickup of the Zorki 3M. The threads have a cutout for a stop for close/distance focus. The wheel of the Leica and Canon cameras go over it, and come to rest on the opening.

This is the second lens/adapter that got hung up this week by that wedge pickup. I modified an Industar-69 28mm F2.8 to focus to infinity on a Leica. It is made for the Chaika, a ha;lf-frame camera with a 39mm thread mount but a different flange distance. On the back of the lens mount there are two holes, could not figure out what they did. They are there to prevent the lens from being screwed onto a Zorki camera. The back-focus is different for the I-69, or at least it used to be different on mine. I filed the inner stop of the mount down so that the helicle could move in an extra millimeter or two. Then set the distance scale to indicate the correct focus. Again, goes right onto the Leica and Canon. I'll be testing it soon. Vigenttes wide-open, but looks okay stopped down.
 
I have 3 Kievs 3A, 4A, 4AM - they work perfectly!
wink.gif
Probably 3A need some little service.

For changing shutter speed look here: http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/changing shutter speeds.html
 
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I wonder if one couldn't design a RF pickup alternative for FSU cameras with an eccentric wheel as an add-on item to replace the wedge.
 
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