Soviet Camera Store

Bob L · 10-19-2005

Has anyone dealt with a company called "Soviet Camera Store" via the internet and if so what has been you experience, buying a Kiev 4 from then and hope I made the right choice dealing with this firm.

brians · 10-19-2005

They're not bad. I got a green bodied FED-2 and a Kiev 35A from them. The FED-2 was described as Good++ condition, and it was, but some of the features of the camera were a bit "ehh....." Still, it does feel like a brand new camera though.

The Kiev 35A I received is like a Minox 35 copy, and it was really nice! But then the frame counter kept resetting on its own, and I discovered a oil smudge on the inner lens. But really, Vikentiy (the guy who runs the thing) is a businessman and a gentleman and will help you out if you're having problems. Plus, I think they've got warranty on their items... the better things having warranties from 3 mos to 6 mos! (Still... shipping to Ukraine isn't cheap....)

I think shipping to California took about a month or less.

Solinar · 10-19-2005

I bought my Zorki 3 from them, while my 3M was being serviced. It was before their price increases and it arrived ready to roll. While not pristine, it was obviously gone over, because its operation is buttery smooth. Plus, the accompaning J8 lens was free of cleaning marks and was recently lubed. The lens was the bonus in my case, as I didn't expect to be as good as my other Jupiter 8.

Gordon Coale · 10-19-2005

I bought a Jupiter 8 advertised as mint and it was as mint as anything I've seen. Beautiful lens.

Bob L · 10-19-2005

Thanks guys for the input, what I liked about them is all there cameras are CLA ( which to me is worth atlest a additional $25.00 ) before they ship them and they all have warranties ( 6 months) plus the shipping was was only $15.00 which is less than I paid for the last one I purchased which was $20.00 coming from the same part of the FSU.
Hope I have the same results as you people have had.

JasonC · 10-19-2005

I bought a white J-12 from them. It took almost 5 weeks to the US. However, the lens is every bit as advertised. I am happy with the quality.

Jason.

Bob L · 11-02-2005

Recieved my Kiev 4 today from the" Soviet cmaera store " , it only took 12 days to reach me here in NY, and what a pleasure it was to recieve a camera that didn't require me to adjust , repair , clean or some other work before it worked right.
The only other person that I have purchased from with the same result is Alex Photo.
For a total cost of $65.00 plus $15.00 shipping I have a camera that has been CLA and the meter is right on.

brians · 11-03-2005

They're a really good service, but the prices... they upped them

Bob L · 11-03-2005

The way I see it , if I purchased a Kiev 4 form someone in the FSU it would run about $35.00 plus another $20.00 shipping for a total of $55.00 .
If I had to sent it out for a CLA that would be about $25.00 to $30.00 + shipping back and forth of about $40.00 for a total of $150.00 all told, so I think using those numbers I saved $70.00 and had the use of the camera form the first day I received it.