Kiev 2 in my mail box

[Marc-A.]

I’m not used to start thread in order to show my gear, but I’m so happy this morning:
I’ve just received my new camera, a beautiful Kiev 2 with its Jupiter 8 (both from 1955) and an Helios 103 (1984). Everything’s in perfect order, from rangefinder alignment to shutter speed (apparent) accuracy. It even have one small Zeiss bump on the back ... weird.

The camera was advertised as a Kiev 2A, maybe because of the cyrillic & latin inscription on it. But my guess is it is a Kiev 2 (maybe for export) since there is no flash sync and since it’s been produced in 1955. Some experts can confirm that? William?

I cleaned it a bit, loaded with a Tri-X roll … now I’m so eager to shoot with it. I’m going out right now and I’ll show you my first shots in a few days (if they’re not too bad :D ).

Oh one question before I forget it: what’s the button on the base plate? I see we can press it, so I guess it has a function; is it for releasing the shutter and rewinding the film?

Later,

Marc

PS: no problem to mount the Helios 103 on the Kiev.

Some photos of it:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33532&stc=1&d=1159261800

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33533&stc=1&d=1159261800

[varjag]

Yep, the button on the bottom should be held pressed during rewind.

The camera looks like Kiev-2, exept on those simpler "КИЕВ" engravings are more common.

[Ash]

Nice :)

I'm trying to stop myself buying another one if/when I get paid.

[Xmas]

Marc

The face plate may not be origional, the face plates suffer lots of damage, even in the case.

Or the factory may have done it.

Or it may be a Frankenstein Kiev, If the chassis does not have the fittings in the cassette chamber for a flash PC socket then it is only the front plate, that might not be origional.

Lots of Kiev II have later shutter mechanisms as it is easier to swap than repair.

Lots of Contax have Kiev shutter mechanisms. So I'd not worry about your Kiev, Ive seen other curiousities which imply that the change over from one variant to another was not necessarily religious, or someone rebuilt a camers with older parts.

You should be aboe to get a proper front plate if it is a perception problem

Noel

[Skinny McGee]

AHHHHH!!!!!Russian package!!! The Yak! The Brown paper!! Oh yeah the camera!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!!

[wotalegend]

Marc,

According to Princelle (p.208) it would be a II, not a IIa. The difference being, as you rightly pointed out, the flash sync. 1955 was the cutover year from II to IIa, and Princelle says that there were II's made with the dual Cyrillic and Roman characters, so it may be all original.

Cheers, Peter.

[darkkavenger]

You've got a nice Kiev II, congratulations! I've sold a model from 1955 to a fellow RFF member (kmack if I remember) and it had the same characteristics as yours. And it feels quite solid, much more than a Kiev-4 or later models. ;)

[captainslack]

Dammit! Where's the 3A I ordered two months ago?

I really hate the Russian postal service. :(

[FrankS]

Dammit! Where's the 3A I ordered two months ago?

I really hate the Russian postal service. :(

It's likely stuck in US Customs! :)

[Skinny McGee]

Yeah US costumes .. Their afraid you are going to beat people over the heads with it..

[Marc-A.]

Thanks guys. Thanks wotalegend and Max for the confirmation. (Princelle is definitely a book to own).
This afternoon, I shot almost a roll ... almost of craps ... anyway, it's just to test the camera and the lenses. The shutter speeds seem accurate, and absolutely not erratic. The RF's spot on. I've tried once a 4am, but this baby ... wow.
I'm considering to change the leatherette ... not the most important for the moment I guess.

Sorry Captain; I've never had problem with the Ukrainian/Russian post. The Kiev arrived fifteen days after I paid, just as it should. Hope we'll see yours very very soon.

Best,
Marc