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Won a Kiev-4
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:37 pm    Post subject: Won a Kiev-4 Reply with quote
I won a Kiev-4 camera with Jupiter-8M 50mm f/2 (Sonnar copy) lens.
Anyone here has any experience with this camera?
THe seller says it's in working order - I hope so. Those soviet curtain shutters don't leave me completely confident.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
They are not good as than earliers if I know well and need to calibrate them. I have friend who is expert on this area so if you have any problem I can ask him.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
They are not good as than earliers if I know well and need to calibrate them. I have friend who is expert on this area so if you have any problem I can ask him.


Thank you. Let's hope I don't need him Smile


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
YES. I hope you will love this cam.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mechanically, I think it will probably work well... main problem is the usual Contax shutter ribbon replacement, which is really more of a once-per-half-century maintenance requirement than what I'd call a mechanical problem. The main problem that I've encountered with Kievs is a light leak that makes a little vertical spash coming up from the bottom of your pictures. The light comes in through the rangefinder window and down the sprocket shaft, and it can be kind of a bear to stop sometimes.

Shutters, rangefinders, and lenses are generally all very good; film transport can give uneven spacing sometimes but it's generally extra space, not overlaps, so not a big problem.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you Rick! With your expertise at my back I feel safer Smile
Now I know what to look for - that's important.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Good luck with the camera Orio. What made you choose the Kiev over a Fed or Zorki?


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
peterqd wrote:
Good luck with the camera Orio. What made you choose the Kiev over a Fed or Zorki?


The fact that it can mount the Sonnar 1.5/50. A lens that I would like to buy someday, if I can find one at reasonable price (almost impossible). Rolling Eyes


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Except for the jewelry/snob appeal factor, I think the Kiev 4/4a is a better camera than the Contax IIa/IIIa of the same era. The shutter and rangefinder are both more dependable in the Kiev, and it can accept the prewar Biogon and Jupiter-12 lenses that won't fit on the postwar Contax.


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
rick_oleson wrote:
Except for the jewelry/snob appeal factor, I think the Kiev 4/4a is a better camera than the Contax IIa/IIIa of the same era. The shutter and rangefinder are both more dependable in the Kiev, and it can accept the prewar Biogon and Jupiter-12 lenses that won't fit on the postwar Contax.


Thanks for the info!
Very useful especially because the Opton Biogons have hairraising prices! Shocked

Have you compared the Sonnar 1.5/50 with the Jupiter-3M ?

-


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Congrats, Orio! I hope the camera loves you back! Laughing

(Post pics of the cam when it arrives, if you want to have a chicken in the foreground, fine! Wink )

Bill


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Katastrofo wrote:
Congrats, Orio! I hope the camera loves you back! Laughing
(Post pics of the cam when it arrives, if you want to have a chicken in the foreground, fine! Wink )
Bill


Not a chicken, but I will have lost of chick pics to show soon Wink


PostPosted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Not a chicken, but I will have lost of chick pics to show soon Wink


Cool! Very. Smile

Bill


PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:


Thanks for the info!
Very useful especially because the Opton Biogons have hairraising prices! :shock:

Have you compared the Sonnar 1.5/50 with the Jupiter-3M ?

-


I haven't compared them but both are very good lenses. I have a postwar Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 50/1.5 on my Contax IIa that is an extremely good lens, better than the f/2 Sonnars (both East and West German) that I've tried. My impression is that the Jupiter-3 is also better than the Jupiter-8, so that would seem to put them generally in the same league.... but I've never tried to make a comparison, these are just subjective impressions.


PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Congrats Orio. You will have a lot of fun with this one. I hope all goes well with it.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
rick_oleson wrote:
film transport can give uneven spacing sometimes but it's generally extra space, not overlaps, so not a big problem.


If endurances to switch at the cocked shutter of it most likely will not be.


PostPosted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have a doubt now... I have not verified... will it take standard 35mm roll cans? Shocked


PostPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
I have a doubt now... I have not verified... will it take standard 35mm roll cans? Shocked


Yes, it takes 35mm cassettes, you've not thrown yourself into the abyss...

Seems like there's a cassette for bulk loading, if you're game. Very curious
to see some pics from this cam.


Bill


PostPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
When I read cassette I thought of something square Shocked


PostPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
When I read cassette I thought of something square Shocked


OK, roll can or canister would work, too. Wink


PostPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Your safe. It is nice to have an extra take up spool as they are removable and can be lost. You can use the spool from inside a "cartridge" of 35mm film. I found that the spool inside the rollei IR film is best (so far). It has a slot in the spool center that you can thread the leader end of the film into. The kodak spools are smooth with no slot and require a piece of tape. No big deal for a back up but still not as convenient.


PostPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I had the Jupiter 8 on the Zorki 4K, and my copy was sharp and sweet. Have FUN Orio!


PostPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks!
I hope it works - with cameras so old it's always a lottery...


PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have found a Kiev-4 review of the Italian site "Nadir" which are very competent for all Contax cameras and lenses.
The review is very positive and confirms the good words of Rick about the Kiev:

http://www.nadir.it/ob-fot/kiev_telem/kiev4_test.htm
(italian language)

They also speak well of the little Jupiter-8

I am now happy to have bought a Kiev-4 ! Smile


PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have been inspired by this thread. Today I pulled out my Old Contax and put film in it. Hold the press................COLOR film! I rarely shoot color film but want to see what the old horse will do. The only lens I have is a 1.5 sonnar and have never viewed the results with color film. I'm really curios also to see the results that you get with the J8. It is the color tone that interests me the most. Will it have the classic russian look? We will see aye.
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