It's sad but true - that's a low to average price for that camera. I got one for $99 because I bet on a guy with really bad feedback on ebay, but that was a) pure luck but b) I have never seen one that cheap before or since. Unlike most of the idiot ads, a Kiev 5 really is rather rare. If you ever do look for one, get one made in 72 or later - they added an 85 finder line to the later cameras - given the massivly high quality of a good example of the Jupiter 9, that is a real reason to get that body.
If you have made an investment in Contax/Kiev glass it's a great body to own. If you haven't, then it's not for you. At the time I bought it, I had a lot of that glass - and selling it got me into my Canon 7 w Canon 50/1.8. So I can't complain much about it 😀 I got a lot of learning about photography from it and some very good images as well. Get a good one and it will be as worth the money as any camera at that price point ever is.
That is over the selenium meter. I believe that is to give a scattering effect to the light to ensure even light coverage on the selenium cell, but I'm probably wrong... 🙂 The FSU selenium meters are reasonable - certainly as accurate as any selenium meter ever is. But then, I'm wierd and prefer selenium to the point that even my handheld is selenium based - a Sekonic L28C. In low light you learn quickly to teach your Mark 1 Eyeball meter instead... 😛
Edit: One more bit of advice. If you get a FSU camera, do not get a mint example unless you want to put it on a shelf. In my experiance, a mint camera is one that never worked in the first place and got put into a desk drawer in frustration. OTOH, a camera showing use but not abuse - real brassing but not dents - from the FSU is the way to go. Someone has already proven that the camera works.
Hope this helps,
William
