Vince Lupo
Whatever
I don't venture into this part of the Forum very much (please don't hold it against me!), and haven't seen any threads on this particular subject. I just found a black Kiev 4a 'no name' body for sale, and was wondering if anyone had any info on 'no name' bodies, particularly black ones. I've been reading online that maybe (or maybe not) these bodies were made in Jena, and they are considered to be the 'jewels' of Kiev cameras, but you guys may know better.
Any kernels of wisdom would be greatly appreciated......
Any kernels of wisdom would be greatly appreciated......
newspaperguy
Well-known
FWIW - I've never heard of a black Kiev, but aside from that,
any 'real' no-name would have been from the early era of
production - like Kiev IIa . I think you've found some "creativity."
any 'real' no-name would have been from the early era of
production - like Kiev IIa . I think you've found some "creativity."
wolves3012
Veteran
I'll second that. I'm not a Kiev expert but I too thought the "no-name" ones were early. I don't think Kievs were ever black from the factory either. Creativity - yep, that's one way to put it!
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
don't waste money on this no name Kiev, a good 4a from 1963 to '64 will be cheaper.
http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?942714747
http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?942714747
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I don't think they're early - I think they were made in the '60s.
Yes, I checked out that link, and it's concluding that potential manufacture in Jena is unlikely, though other websites have suggested otherwise. No mention of black ones, though it gives a production figure of 5,000 for 'no-names'.
So are you guys suggesting that they're not collectible 'jewels'?
Yes, I checked out that link, and it's concluding that potential manufacture in Jena is unlikely, though other websites have suggested otherwise. No mention of black ones, though it gives a production figure of 5,000 for 'no-names'.
So are you guys suggesting that they're not collectible 'jewels'?
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xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
They were made in 1963/64, but as the article link in my previous post said, they are just ukrainian Arsenal made Kiev 4a(s)
get any 63/64 Kiev 4a, replace the face plate with a non engraved faceplate and engrave the bottom with USSR occupied Germany and you are in business.
you can put a CZJ Sonnar 5cm f2 to make it look like it came from the first batch.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Interesting -- I learn something new every day. I do appreciate all the input from everyone.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
The first run could have been the brainchild of a western firm that had a load of CZJ Sonnar 5cm f2 lenses to unload and needed a current production body .
Since the real Zeiss Contax IIa and IIIa camera was out of production by 1961/62, Arsenal in Kiev was the supplier of the no name bodies with the misleading bottom engraving.
That is one theory on how these came to be .
Since the real Zeiss Contax IIa and IIIa camera was out of production by 1961/62, Arsenal in Kiev was the supplier of the no name bodies with the misleading bottom engraving.
That is one theory on how these came to be .
john341
camera user
I believed that the no-name Kiev was made in 1963 and were marketed with Sonnar lenses, I believe, for export. Fewer than 6000 were built but black? no. Apart from an interesting commemorative Kiev 4AM Arsenal produced no coloured bodies..any colours you find will have been added later. I had a black Kiev years ago and I thought it looked great!