David Hughes
David Hughes
Thanks; another piece for the jigsaw...
I don't think the cultivator problems has anything to do with the factory. It's not unique ;-)
Regards, David
Late Kiev -are they THAT poor ?
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Thanks; another piece for the jigsaw...
I don't think the cultivator problems has anything to do with the factory. It's not unique ;-)
Regards, David
newspaperguy
Well-known
I think the best explanation/definition Of the KIEV was by noted Zeiss historian Peter Henning (Hemming?)
- I'm sure you can Google This -
but as I recall, he said the KIEV is best described as a German camera made in Russia.
That said here is one of mine... an early 1959 4A from Oleg that I've used for more than 20 years.
And here is the aging (gracefully) Queen, my 1957 KIEV II.
Note the period correct "manly' leather strap.
- I'm sure you can Google This -
but as I recall, he said the KIEV is best described as a German camera made in Russia.
That said here is one of mine... an early 1959 4A from Oleg that I've used for more than 20 years.
And here is the aging (gracefully) Queen, my 1957 KIEV II.
Note the period correct "manly' leather strap.
Last edited:
Elmar Lang
Well-known
As said in other topics, I had my first Kiev (a 1968-made 4A), back in 1975: it accompanied my first steps in photography and became my favourite camera; from 1981, working along with a Contax-II inherited from my grandfather.
That Kiev-4A perfectly works today (it was lubricated and controlled some years ago, nothing to repair): it took innumerable rolls of film in any weather condition.
With time, I've started to collect Kiev RF's and to use them of course: after a practical test on pieces from the earliest times (the 1947 Kiev of my avatar) to very late ones, I can say that the cameras made earlier than 1970 were generally better mounted, finished and technically controlled.
I can also say that my two Kiev-5, both work precisely and smoothly; their bulky appearance is compensated by a very fine viewfinder, with parallax compensation.
What was correctly noted, is that a camera with over than half a century of (often heavy) use in its mechanics, can be in need of the care of a good technician. RF Kievs are generally cheap to buy, but in my opinion, well worth the price needed to have them back in shape.
Best wishes,
Enzo (E.L.)
That Kiev-4A perfectly works today (it was lubricated and controlled some years ago, nothing to repair): it took innumerable rolls of film in any weather condition.
With time, I've started to collect Kiev RF's and to use them of course: after a practical test on pieces from the earliest times (the 1947 Kiev of my avatar) to very late ones, I can say that the cameras made earlier than 1970 were generally better mounted, finished and technically controlled.
I can also say that my two Kiev-5, both work precisely and smoothly; their bulky appearance is compensated by a very fine viewfinder, with parallax compensation.
What was correctly noted, is that a camera with over than half a century of (often heavy) use in its mechanics, can be in need of the care of a good technician. RF Kievs are generally cheap to buy, but in my opinion, well worth the price needed to have them back in shape.
Best wishes,
Enzo (E.L.)
Fotohuis
Well-known
If you want to spend some money for a good overhaul and CLA even a later model Kiev-4 AM can be working perfectly.
My youngest FSU RF is a Kiev-4 AM 1980 which is working perfectly.
In FED's I have a 1967 FED-3 model, also not too bad. The FED-5B I had was not good at all on all points, a 1995 model (terrible). The Zorki-6's I have from 1963 and 1965 are very well made. Together with the Kiev my favorite FSU RF cameras but all cameras had a CLA. Apart from cheaper choosen materials these cameras are not bad at all even compared to my Leica M7. The same about the Jupiter lenses. A good assy J-8 can be very good.Comparing on a darkroom print on 40x50cm with my Summicron F/2-50mm it is amazing what you can get for such a low price lens. The same for a good assy J-12 or J-9.
But also these lenses need a CLA. Especially the helicoil. All my cameras and lenses I am using frequently.
My youngest FSU RF is a Kiev-4 AM 1980 which is working perfectly.
In FED's I have a 1967 FED-3 model, also not too bad. The FED-5B I had was not good at all on all points, a 1995 model (terrible). The Zorki-6's I have from 1963 and 1965 are very well made. Together with the Kiev my favorite FSU RF cameras but all cameras had a CLA. Apart from cheaper choosen materials these cameras are not bad at all even compared to my Leica M7. The same about the Jupiter lenses. A good assy J-8 can be very good.Comparing on a darkroom print on 40x50cm with my Summicron F/2-50mm it is amazing what you can get for such a low price lens. The same for a good assy J-12 or J-9.
But also these lenses need a CLA. Especially the helicoil. All my cameras and lenses I am using frequently.
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