dee
Well-known
I am intruiged by how well a 1979 Uk imported , Kiev 4 has stood the test of time .
I assume that TOE checked and probably greased properly , all cameras coming into Uk , and that any warranty problems were sorted [ something Russian buyers could only dream about ]
However , it is possible to compare this Kiev to a contemporoary budget SLR - a Chinon or maybe a Practika ... especially as USSR cameras have such a poor reputation .
The case is as worn as a most carefully used SLR , It's clean inside with just grime from storing outside , the meter works [ which can't be said of all SLRs or the period ]
Obviously this was both : a specialist camera AND a budget camera , so outside the mainstream so may have been treated more considerately , but even so , this Kiev , designed in 1936 , kompromised by the Soviets , stands up remarkable well.
I am not saying that an imported / CLA Kiev wont be '' as good '' - it will probably be better , but it is interesting to look at the camera in repect of contemporary SLRs .
dee
I assume that TOE checked and probably greased properly , all cameras coming into Uk , and that any warranty problems were sorted [ something Russian buyers could only dream about ]
However , it is possible to compare this Kiev to a contemporoary budget SLR - a Chinon or maybe a Practika ... especially as USSR cameras have such a poor reputation .
The case is as worn as a most carefully used SLR , It's clean inside with just grime from storing outside , the meter works [ which can't be said of all SLRs or the period ]
Obviously this was both : a specialist camera AND a budget camera , so outside the mainstream so may have been treated more considerately , but even so , this Kiev , designed in 1936 , kompromised by the Soviets , stands up remarkable well.
I am not saying that an imported / CLA Kiev wont be '' as good '' - it will probably be better , but it is interesting to look at the camera in repect of contemporary SLRs .
dee
blacknoise
Established
my zorki 4k is import, as is the zenit 11. the zorki needed a CLA and the zenit didnt. But the zenit was from a proper camera shop, where as the Zorki came off the second hand market. So the Zenit might have had a CLA.
Other than that, the lens seems good, as does the RF accuracy, was just sticky shutter.
Other than that, the lens seems good, as does the RF accuracy, was just sticky shutter.