will a contax IIIa fit a Kiev 4 leather camera case?

[Heldur]

My contax IIIa case is rundown, was thinking of buying a kiev 4 and getting one of the many leather craftsmen to refurbish it and attach the zeiss ikon badge from my original case? possible?

 

[brightfinder]

Yes, you can use Kiev 4 case but the case is slightly larger (as you know, kievs are based on pre-war contax). I used Kiev case for my contax IIIa one time but eventually replaced it with original case because it felt too loose for me.

 

[ZeissFan]

My contax IIIa case is rundown, was thinking of buying a kiev 4 and getting one of the many leather craftsmen to refurbish it and attach the zeiss ikon badge from my original case? possible?

The Kiev (Contax II) is wider, and I'm not certain that the tripod post would line up correctly. It probably would be a poor fit but would work.

I have an extra case. If you want it, you can have it for postage (probably about $6 or so to the U.S. and Canada) and more to overseas.

 

[Heldur]

thanks a million Zeiss fan! I have sent you a personal mail. Is your case for the IIIa?

 

[Heldur]

The Kiev 4 case is slightly wider than the Contax IIa/IIIa case but the tripod post lines up perfectly (which isn't true with an earlier Kiev II/IIa/III case). OTOH a Kiev 4 case won't fit on a Contax II, for the reverse reasons.

It's everything but a "poor fit". And the Kiev 4 case leather (supple, well tanned) is noticeably better than the original Contax IIa/IIIa one (brittle and crackly). Also the Kiev 4 case interior is made of red leather not that pesky red cloth.

I have both for my Contax IIIa and the Kiev 4 case has a way better feel than the original.

The light extra space on the camera sides allow for fitting the neck strap on the camera body eyelets which is barely possible with the original case that was designed to have the neck strap attached to the case itself.

Besides I keep wondering what and whom the previous threads of the forum were written for, since an advanced research would have got that thread retrieved :

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57589

sorry I did a search but didnt get that thread, will search a little harder next time

 

[Heldur]

In case any of you didnt know, Highway 61 is a great guy!🙂

 

[Heldur]

Nice,

I can buy the case case from Fedka but he says there are two kiev cases the 4a and 4b. One has a 1/4" tripod screw connection but the older cases are 3/8".

My Contax IIIa is being CLAd now so I have no idea if it has a 1/4" or 3/8"?
Do you know offhand?
thanks

 

[Heldur]

Thanks again!