Need Kiev 4 Survival Tips

[Kingston]

I'll first get familiar with it, maybe the self timer will start working again randomly like yesterday! I'll try to load the first film over the week-end and start shooting next week. I should be able to develop it when I get back home in a week and will let you know about the outcome.
Thanks for your help!

 

[Kingston]

Here is the take up spool I have:

There is a similar slot at the opposite side.

Should I cut with scissors the film leader so that it engages in the two slots? Will it really hold the film? Any tips and steps for loading? Thanks!

 

[Kingston]

Also, should it go through both of the slots?

 

[Dez]

If you are going to use that spool, you should cut a tongue about 3cm long in the centre of the film. It should go through both slots, and be bent a bit so it won't fall out of the slots.

I thing you are being too kind to the seller of your camera. He said clearly that the meter and self-timer, as well as everything else, worked properly, and clearly this is not correct. When people say "the self-timer sometimes does not work" it means that for some cameras it works all the time, and other cameras it never works, not that it is always unreliable. If this vendor will not refund your payment, he deserves negative feedback.

There are many honest vendors on ebay from Russia and Ukraine. I see that this seller offers a good guarantee if there is anything wrong with the camera, so maybe he is a good guy, but the camera clearly is not as good as promised.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[Kingston]

Thank you, I will start trying to load the film then!

Actually, I can't get the light meter to work either. You are right I could get refund, and certainly would in other circumstances but these features are not so important and I might have caused damage myself so my priority is to first try to get to use the camera properly and get pictures from it 🙂
If I had more experience in RF or could be 100% sure the seller did not delivered compared to the description of the camera I would ask for a refund but it's not the case, I would just be very happy if I manage to use it!

I will try with this spool first and later I'll be looking for a better take up spool if it turns out to be too complicated!

Just to make sure, does it mean I have to cut on both sides, up and down (or on the side which is not already cut) so that what goes to the take up spool is in the middle and fits in the slot? (not sure what I say makes sense)

 

[Dez]

T'es bien trop gentil, Kingston.

It is hard to believe there is anything you could do which would cause the light meter to suddenly fail. the seller just did not check the camera before shipping it.

You will need to cut off the end of the film to a flat end and then cut a 3cm long tongue for the centre of the film to make it fit correctly.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[wolves3012]

...and I might have caused damage myself...

That is very unlikely unless you have applied excessive force, dropped it or such like. Also the meter not working is not down to you. It sounds like a typical case of a sloppy seller either not being quite honest or not checking properly.

 

[Kingston]

True for the light meter, or maybe I'm still doing something wrong!

For cutting the film leader, is that more or less what you mean? (1= original, 2= cut the tongue to make it flat, 3= cut both ends to make a 3cm long tongue in the center, 1cm wide for the slots)

 

[Dez]

Looks good!

Cheers,
Dez

 

[Kingston]

Thanks, I just did it. I'm not a DIY person, it was not as easy as I thought it would!

Here is what it looked like before I put the back on again:

Now I'll start shooting fingers crossed!

I made 2 blank shots, it did not feel as before so I'm not sure it's actually working, was the knob on the left supposed to move as well (as it says in the manual)? Also, i forgot to set the counter to 0, it was on 4, not sure it's a big problem or not.

 

[Dez]

It is very easy to have the film pull out of the take-up spool. that is why I suggested bending the film after it passed through both sides of the spool. From the picture, there is a good chance it pulled out. I will usually turn the advance knob part way to make sure the film is properly held before closing the back. To check, turn the rewind knob gently to tighten the film and wind to the next shot. The knob should turn.

You can set the frame counter any time. If you are now on the first shot, just set it to 1.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[Kingston]

Yes I guess the problem is that I should have tighten the film with the rewind knob and wind partially to see. Anyway, when I wind now the rewind knob is not moving so I guess it's not working. Can I still save the situation or should I throw the film?
Edit: Mmmm I tried again and the knob was moving a bit, so maybe it's ok, I will be shooting as if it's fine until the end of the week to finish the film and then I'll see! Alea Jacta Est!

 

[BW400CN]

Kiev 4-1 Kiev 4a-1 Kiev 4M von BW400CN auf Flickr

You can use the Zeiss Contaflex spool - I did it on mine and it worked, but I don´t like the Kiev so mine are out for sale in a local shop.
I stay with my Kodak Retina III S 😉

 

[Kingston]

Nice pic!
What do you like better in the Kodak? I checked, seems more expensive than a Kiev but still ok!

 

[BW400CN]

Nice pic!
What do you like better in the Kodak? I checked, seems more expensive than a Kiev but still ok!

I don´t wanna destroy this thread with OT - but OK a short answer:
I hate the Contax grip and love the framelines in the Kodak finder - and the quiet sound of the leaf shutter - and the possibility to use a flash @ any time up to 1/500 sec.


Retina IIIs von BW400CN auf Flickr

 

[Kingston]

I see, it's a nice camera! I'll stick to the FSU RF for now but in a few years and if I have a good job I'll certainly consider alternatives 😉 Danke!

 

[Penny Lane]

Contax cassettes are a treat to have around with your Kiev. Or the original ones, of course, but I seem to have less difficulty finding Contax cassettes. The cassettes for the Contax IIa/IIIa (aluminium) work as-is, older model brass Contax cassettes need the knob of the spindle flattened in order to work with the base plate locks in a Kiev. Take-up is much more reliable with these cassettes though.

Cheers,
Derk

 

[Kingston]

Thanks for the tips, I might be looking for one as soon as I get tired of cutting the film for my take up spool 🙂

 

[Kingston]

Well, I guess my first roll is a failure as I expected! I took my 36 shots (and writing down the aperture and shutter speed of all my shots for testing) over the week, then I tried to unload it just now: pressed the rewind button while turning the rewind knob, I pulled it so that it's easier, but it was hell, when I finally got to the point I couldn't turn anymore, I removed the back, but it was not fully back into the cassette... no idea what I did wrong, and now I guess it's all ruined.

 

[newspaperguy]

Take a look at this....

http://elekm.net/zeiss-ikon/repair/spool.html

Then, for a slicker solution, search for Zorkikat's post from about 2008.