Smoothening the Kiev Winding Knob

[alternatve]

Ruben,

In your opinion, which is the better model, the Kiev 4a or the Kiev 4aM? I am planning to get either one from dvdtechnik. I like the chromed look of the 4a, but have heard that the 4aM has a better viewfinder. Since you own both models, I would like to hear from you. Thanks.

Samuel

 

[ruben]

Hi Kmack,
One interesting question among several, is wether the cassette has any and which influence over the issue of frame spacing.

Hi Ian (Jocko)
I hope you will have a nice day today.

Hi Samuel (Alternatve)
Overall I would say DVD is a nice seller, with privileged access to stuff other sellers don't have, yet the main issue is how the specific cameras in his shelf are working, the 4a or the 4am. A good way to know is asking his opinion about which one he would choose among those you are looking for. Now, in general and beforehand I would not pick a 4a manufactured later than 1969. And those before, are harder to find. In case DVD terms his 4am as "mint" it means the camera has not been used ever and there are good chances you will get a soft winding one.

As for the viewfinder, it is quite a controversial issue. Following Ian's wisdom in another thread, I would start from the question wether you wear glasses or not. The viewfinder lens exterior of the 4am is rounded and bigger, but the surrounding metal ring is a professional glass scratcher. If you don't wear glasses then no problem at all.

With the 4am you will have a yellow patch a bit more dark, just a bit, but a darker surrounding viewing as well. The opposite with the 4a, and I repeat it is just a bit. This bit is to be judged, if to split hairs, in favour of night picture taking, making the 4a a bit preferable. Although no problem with the 4am.

And yes, no doubt the classic look of the 4a has its appeal.

Finally, I would repeat, it may be a good idea to ask Mr Davidenko (DVD) to handle both models, fidle a bit with them and give his opinion, thus obliging him somehow.

Now, remember as well that here in Jerusalem I may be held as a mini kiev authority, but at RFF there are many many people whose advice I have been continuously asking and I am their pupil. I hope they emerge regarding your question.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[mike goldberg]

Aha!
In the spirit of the warm Jerusalem weekend...
I too, wax poetic:

Honest Ru the Kiev man
All winding-smoothie problems he fix... can
For good service, with warranty... too
Honest Ru is the man for you !

Cheers ;-)
mike

Disclaimer: Any resemblance between "Ru" and my RFF Buddy
Ruben... are purely coincidental.

PS: Help 😱 I have a closed, metal Kiev
cassette and don't know what to do with it.

 

[Jocko]

Ruben, you gave me the courage to open up my own Kiev and I hope my tribute made you smile 🙂

But - and I promise to shut up after this - just to prove no prejudice towards any camera, have you in your extensive musical library encountered this poignant yet little-known Marlene Deitrich number, tragically cut from Destry Buys a Contax (1939)? The tune is of course only too familiar....

Underneath the awning, skulking by the hedge,
Hiding in the doorways, beyond the shadows’ edge,
Fingering cam’ras am’rously, they want to be
Like HCB:
Snapping decisive moments, the Leica lovers lurk!

Orders from the town hall pierce them to the heart!
No more street photography or shooting in the park!
Even the gas works’ out of bounds. Now woe betide
Those who are found
Snapping decisive moments, the Leica lovers work!

Barnacking distant backsides is all that can be done,
It isn’t like the 30s when photography was fun.
Now ev'ry snapper is reviled. A foe to man, to beast
And child.
No more decisive moments. And Leica Lovers hurt 🙁


Proof if any were needed of the prophetic power of music 🙂

Cheers, Ian

 

[mike goldberg]

Bravo... Bravissimo to Ruben and all the budding poets!

Cheers, mike
PS: I've got a 1960 K4a...
From what I've seen of Ruben's K4am,
it is a good shooter, and about equal to the K4a.

 

[alternatve]

Hi Kmack,
One interesting question among several, is wether the cassette has any and which influence over the issue of frame spacing.

Hi Ian (Jocko)
I hope you will have a nice day today.

Hi Samuel (Alternatve)
Overall I would say DVD is a nice seller, with privileged access to stuff other sellers don't have, yet the main issue is how the specific cameras in his shelf are working, the 4a or the 4am. A good way to know is asking his opinion about which one he would choose among those you are looking for. Now, in general and beforehand I would not pick a 4a manufactured later than 1969. And those before, are harder to find. In case DVD terms his 4am as "mint" it means the camera has not been used ever and there are good chances you will get a soft winding one.

As for the viewfinder, it is quite a controversial issue. Following Ian's wisdom in another thread, I would start from the question wether you wear glasses or not. The viewfinder lens exterior of the 4am is rounded and bigger, but the surrounding metal ring is a professional glass scratcher. If you don't wear glasses then no problem at all.

With the 4am you will have a yellow patch a bit more dark, just a bit, but a darker surrounding viewing as well. The opposite with the 4a, and I repeat it is just a bit. This bit is to be judged, if to split hairs, in favour of night picture taking, making the 4a a bit preferable. Although no problem with the 4am.

And yes, no doubt the classic look of the 4a has its appeal.

Finally, I would repeat, it may be a good idea to ask Mr Davidenko (DVD) to handle both models, fidle a bit with them and give his opinion, thus obliging him somehow.

Now, remember as well that here in Jerusalem I may be held as a mini kiev authority, but at RFF there are many many people whose advice I have been continuously asking and I am their pupil. I hope they emerge regarding your question.

Cheers,
Ruben

I see. Thank you for your advise. I think I wil get a Kiev 4a then. One last question, why do you not recommend a 4a after 1969? Manufactoring defect? Isn't the 4am down due to that as well?

 

[ruben]

I see. Thank you for your advise. I think I wil get a Kiev 4a then. One last question, why do you not recommend a 4a after 1969? Manufactoring defect? Isn't the 4am down due to that as well?

There is a consesus among the enlightened FSU user comunity, that the decade of the 70's has produced most of low quality Kiev cameras and lenses, this period lasting until the apparition of Gorbachev and the Kiev 4am, at the 80's. Of course this is a broad generalization, but I personally follow it.

Now, Kiev 4a. In case you want to have the ultimative Kiev 4a, you can invest another EXTRA $60 and ask DVD to mail the camera to Oleg for general overhaul and Oleg will mail it to you afterwards

http://www.okvintagecamera.com/repair.html

Let me be clear. From DVD you will get a working camera. Oleg handling will eliminate any possible minor issue and transform it into an OUTSTANDING smooth working camera. But each one with his own budget.

Cheers,
Ruben