Kiev viewfinder window types

[lrochfort]

Dear FSU aficionados!

I am an ex-Kiev 4A owner and recently thought I'd buy another.

Whilst searching ebay I noticed that some have viewfinders that have complete circular viewing window. I recall mine was a very thin, dim, horizontal slit.

Is this a model variation or user modification?

Thanks all!

 

[wolves3012]

It's a model variation. I have a 4A (1978) with the circular window and a 4 (1975) with the rectangular one. Whether it's a year-related change I'm not sure.

The 4A has a brighter finder but I'm not able to say if that's a difference in glass, random batch-variation or if the circular opening itself makes it brighter (I suspect it's not the last).