kiev 4am/4m ease of operation?

[John Bailey]

Hi,

Is the film advance/shutter setting on the more "modern" 4am/4m easier to operate than the "older" 4/4a which I have? Smoother and less force required?

Thanks,

[wlewisiii]

Actually if your Kiev has a harsh advance, you'd probably be better off spending the money on a CLA of that body rather than on a new one. Oleg www.okvintagecamera.com come highly recommended though I haven't yet used his services.

William

[kiev4a]

Hi,

Is the film advance/shutter setting on the more "modern" 4am/4m easier to operate than the "older" 4/4a which I have? Smoother and less force required?

Thanks,

Pretty much the same although the AM is easier to rewind because it has a crank.

[Rick Beckrich]

I agree with both W's... but note that the AM (am) is easier to load
with the fixed spool. That said, I use my older version more often.

[phototone]

None of these Kiev cameras are "easy" to wind when compared to more modern designs. They are a bit rougher than the comparable Contax models, as the gear trains are not as finely polished.

[FrankS]

I found a huge difference between an early (1959) Kiev 4a and a later (1980's) Kiev 4am. The earlier Kiev was much smoother and more Contax-like in its operations.