What lenses for Kiev 4M?

[Krosya]

Hi All,
I'm thinking to try a Kiev 4M. But I was wondering about lenses available for it. I know there a couple of Russian ones. But what about others? Any feedback on current Voigtlander lenses in Contax/Nikon mount? Do they fit Kiev and if so - any issues with them?
Any other Kiev 4m comments/suggestions will be helpful as well.
Thanks

 

[40oz]

Well, you have the Jupiter-3 50/1.5 and Jupiter-8 50/2, Jupiter-12 35/2.8, Jupiter-9 85/2, and the Jupiter-11 135/4, for the common Russian ones.

Apparently Nikon S-mount wides will fit and work fine, while the 50mm and longer focal lengths will suffer from the focus helical on Nikons not matching the Contax standard. Your pictures will be farther out of focus the longer the lens.

And of course the Zeiss Contax lenses. This page covers a lot of it:
http://www.cameraquest.com/conrf.htm

I believe if the lens mounts and focuses on a Contax, it will work fine on a Kiev.

 

[Xmas]

The standard lens for most 4M would have been a helios 103, they are pretty good and still avilable 'new' from some Ru dealers.
They are Planar/Summicron clones so were easier to manufacture than the Jupiter 8M, they work ok.
Because they were larger the ERC snout was larger and the 4M case is rather nicer than the early 4 cases and smells better.

Noel

 

[alternatve]

How do the Helios 50/1.8 perform? If my Kiev works out, I'm thinking of getting one (Preferbly attached to a 4a) 😉 Thanks

Samuel

 

[tedwhite]

The Helios is a 53mm lens. I have one and it is quite good.

 

[shadowfox]

I would also be interested in samples of pictures taken with the Helios 53/1.8 if anyone have them.

Currently waiting for a Kiev 4AM (below is a pic from the bay of the camera):

 

[tedwhite]

In My Photos, pics taken with Helios 103:

Mother & Child, Sleepy Hollow, Old Buick, Scarves in the Wind. Mind you, these are all scans from prints. The prints are much sharper.

 

[vrgard]

I would also be interested in samples of pictures taken with the Helios 53/1.8 if anyone have them.

Currently waiting for a Kiev 4AM (below is a pic from the bay of the camera):

shadowfox, you can look in my gallery under Rangefinder book submissions. The shot there of the car dashboard was taken with my Kiev 4A and a Helios 53/1.8.

-Randy

 

[ruben]

Perhaps I am missing something but there are several Soviet lenses for any Kiev rangefinder, 4M included. Google for the Kiev Survival Site.

As a very broad assertion, the best among Soviet lenses match the quality of their Contax counter versions, although these very best lenses are hard to find. The best chance for this is to buy optics at Fedka.com.

As for the Kiev 4M, I understand you are talking about a Kiev version with sellenium meter. If so buy only if camera light meter "responds to light", although most sellers are reluctant to guarantee even that the meter works.

As another very broad assertion, avoid cameras manufactured during the decade of the 70's, which eBay is most crowded with.

"Search" RFF for more info about Kiev cameras.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[VinceC]

I've posted some recent Helios examples over on tbe Nikon forum.

 

[shadowfox]

Thanks guys for the samples, you guys make me more restless waiting for that Kiev :bang:

 

[alternatve]

Same here. I have a '64 Kiev 4a making it's way to my home from the Ukraine.

 

[feyz]

Same here. I have a '64 Kiev 4a making it's way to my home from the Ukraine.

Mine 4a is '64 too. Post full serial - maybe they are close friends 😀

 

[alternatve]

Mine 4a is '64 too. Post full serial - maybe they are close friends 😀

No kidding?!

It's a model 6412265. What about yours?