dee
Well-known
Think of clearing some of the Kievs and found that top of the list to keep is a 1970s ex Oleg K4, working exquisitely , less than perfectly re-renderd in silver paint and tan leather .
This was a trial for the subsequent Contax rebuilt in the same finishes by ex-Arsenal Techs .
Next to keep is the virtually mint 1970s K4a , with UK TOE box / passport etc .
Then the Contax III bodied Hybrids with Kiev parts and one K4 top plate/meter ... KIIi/K4 with gifted KNeB faceplate also Arsenal Tech created .
This appears to overrule the genuine original Kiev II of 1951 and 1952 etc.
It appears that tinkering with reality is my forte plus a preference for newness in the face of antiquity in that I would select an immaculate Kiev IIa 1956 over the tired earlier versions .
I guess this borne out by the re-imagined as new 'Leicas' from various ex-USSR sources which I am still hanging onto.
I guess that these inexpensive , often maligned cameras were an ideal source for reinvention .
Maybe it's an extension of my career in creating 'authentic' period interiors for leading London Hotels .
A touch odd though .
respect
dee
This was a trial for the subsequent Contax rebuilt in the same finishes by ex-Arsenal Techs .
Next to keep is the virtually mint 1970s K4a , with UK TOE box / passport etc .
Then the Contax III bodied Hybrids with Kiev parts and one K4 top plate/meter ... KIIi/K4 with gifted KNeB faceplate also Arsenal Tech created .
This appears to overrule the genuine original Kiev II of 1951 and 1952 etc.
It appears that tinkering with reality is my forte plus a preference for newness in the face of antiquity in that I would select an immaculate Kiev IIa 1956 over the tired earlier versions .
I guess this borne out by the re-imagined as new 'Leicas' from various ex-USSR sources which I am still hanging onto.
I guess that these inexpensive , often maligned cameras were an ideal source for reinvention .
Maybe it's an extension of my career in creating 'authentic' period interiors for leading London Hotels .
A touch odd though .
respect
dee
jgrainger
Established
If that's the Kiev in your profile pic, it does look tidy.
I've sometimes tried to find perfect cameras but haven't really found the perfect experiences and photographs as a result of that.. Meanwhile the imperfect but fine cameras have ended up as reluctant keepers - at odds with my quest for perfection.
I'm gradually coming round to the idea of not becoming a collector, helped by the greater difficulty and cost of finding perfect LF gear - though certain aesthetic items of gear can go towards helping to build an experience if working with other people.
I've sometimes tried to find perfect cameras but haven't really found the perfect experiences and photographs as a result of that.. Meanwhile the imperfect but fine cameras have ended up as reluctant keepers - at odds with my quest for perfection.
I'm gradually coming round to the idea of not becoming a collector, helped by the greater difficulty and cost of finding perfect LF gear - though certain aesthetic items of gear can go towards helping to build an experience if working with other people.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I had several Kievs. The only real imperfection is in crude shutter speed selector. I had it even in twice serviced Kiev II.
Maybe it is the nature of mechanism. Contax IIa has this eliminated.
Maybe it is the nature of mechanism. Contax IIa has this eliminated.