Which version of Kiev is best?

optikhit · 12-07-2005

Hi guys, I just want to buy a Kiev rangerfinder. I wonder to know which version is the best? Maybe this kind of question has been asked thousands of times, however I turely appreciate your suggestions.

JasonC · 12-07-2005

The consensus seems to be that any Kievs made before the 70s should be good. You will be looking at 2, 3, 2a, 3a, 4, and 4a. Buying from a reputable seller will be better if you expect a Kiev to work out of the box. Try www.franka.com or www.okvintagecamera.com. Good luck.

Jason.

HansDerHase · 12-07-2005

Quote:

Hi guys, I just want to buy a Kiev rangerfinder. I wonder to know which version is the best? Maybe this kind of question has been asked thousands of times, however I turely appreciate your suggestions.

It ain't no Leica

, but for me a Kiev makes for pretty good shooter if you can live with the lesser build quality. Stay away from Leica anyways, because after you've look through a (M class) Leica finder the vf/rf of Kievs really suck big time.

The descison was pretty easy for me: There is not much sense in buying something pre Kiev-4 if you want a shooter. Buying one of those only makes sense zu collectors. Kiev-5 are kind of rare, bulky and it is said that they have considerable less build quality. On the other hand there are a hell of a lot Kiev-4 on the market. So they are pretty easy to get. I personally prefere the 4a which is a meterless 4. It's less bulky. (The meter of the Kiev is but-ugly to my taste). I do have a external meter for my RFs and wouldn't trust an age old meter anyway. I haven't used a 4M/4AM yet but I guess besides the look and younger age they are pretty much the same.

If you go for a Kiev 4(a) try to get one with a body and (even more important) lens from the 60s. It is said that later models have less build quality. At least there is more variance. However they might compensate for that in one respect or another by being of younger age. (The first two digits of the serial number usually represent the year of manufacturing.)

And finally there is always google..
For example http://www.keithberry.telinco.co.uk/Kiev-4.htm has a pretty good comparison of the various Kiev models.

peterc · 12-07-2005

I have a Kiev 4 from 1978 with the Jupiter 8M. The meter is ugly and doesn't work, but I never had plans to use the built-in meter anyway. The self-timer also is inoperative (another feature I never use). That said, it's silky smooth and a pleasure to use.

Peter

captainslack · 12-07-2005

I've got a 4AM that I just ran my first roll of film through. Haven't developed it yet, but I have to say it was a fun camera to shoot with! Mine was made in '80 and the build quality isn't the greatest, but it is usable.

I got mine in a trade (thanks again G'man!), but if I had the money to buy another one, I'd go for a '60's model 4A or a 50's II. Of course, you're talking some serious dough for the latter! Would be well spent, though. I've handled a Kiev II once and the difference in build quality between it and 4 or 4am is a night and day.

arothaus · 12-07-2005

Hello,
I have several Kievs (2, 2a, 3a, 4, 4a, 4am) from the 50ies to the 80ies. I have a very good working 1952 Kiev-2 and a good working 1982 "4am". My 1957 "2a" is not working well (even though I shipped it to Oleg fo repair) and my 1967 "4" has got a broken shutter. This story could go on and on...

Many tend to say that early ones are build better. I would agree that a Kiev-2 has a better finish than a 4am. But the "2" is already 50 years old, and you never know who had it in his hand bevore.

For a good user cam I would go for a simple 4 or 4a from the 60ies or 70ies or also a later 4am or 4a from the 80ies. The early 50ies cameras are often quite expensive.

If you have the money and patience you could search for a "5". The "5" is bigger, but has a wounderful finder, which can be used for lenses from 35-85mm, so you do not need an extra finder for interchangeable lenses

Regards,
Andreas

hugivza · 12-07-2005

I like my 4A as it is very similar to my IIIa. Of my FSU cameras, along with perhaps the Zorki 4 it is the best to operate IMO. The shutter is comparitively quiet, making it ideal for using on the streets. Alex Photo (check out on e-bay) in the Ukraine has a lot of spare "bits" for Kievs including rangefinders, self timers, tops complete with selenium cells etc.

Dingo · 12-07-2005

See this :

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/phot...y.php?cat=5360

Ha Ha.

Dingo

ErnestoJL · 12-07-2005

I think it´s depending on how much do you apreciate to have an uncoupled built in meter or not. If you prefer a handheld meter, a 4a made from 1966 to 1968 would be a good one. Otherwise a Kiev 4 from same manufacturing date is a good choice if the meter works as expected.
Shutter noise (at least in mine) is quite low, perhaps less noticeable than some leaf shuttered cameras I have, so for street shooting they are Ok.

If you compare a Kiev with other cameras, like prewar Contaxes, differences are very few, however if the camera is Ok, it will perform the same way. If, instead you compare it with newer cameras, you shoud realize that you´re shooting with an almost 70 y.o. camera.
Lenses are in general very good (ZI copies) and inexpensive as camera bodies but there are also examples of very poor performance due to poor QC at factory.

If you want to collect Kievs... well, that´s something different.

Ernesto

darkkavenger · 12-08-2005

Without hesitation go for a Kiev-2 or a Kiev-2A. I own a Kiev-2A from 1956 who has a build quality to which no later Kiev can pretend to compare. Honestly.

It's really a solid shooter!

//max

optikhit · 12-08-2005

Thank you very much guys. I learn a lot. I'm recently mad on FSU cameras and I will definitely buy some Kiev's. Now in my hands, Fed5B, Zorki 4 and Zorki4K are all in excellent conditions. In medium format I have Moskva 5 which is also good for shoting. I will consider to have an Iskra 6*6...

Thank you. Best regards.

FrankS · 12-08-2005

I have a 1959 Kiev 4a that I am pleased with. Try to find a Kiev built in the 1950's or 1960's.

pangkievrange · 12-08-2005

It looks like there are some changes in the shutter ribbon for 80's kieves (kiev 4m and 4am). The shutter in kiev 4m and 4am is very robust and almost immune to the effect of high humidity. A big plus!

Richard

FrankS · 12-08-2005

Unfortunately Richard, the rest of the camera (4m and 4am) suffers from much poorer construction and quality control. I have both a 1959 Kiev 4a and a 1980 Kiev 4am. I perceive a greater difference in quality of feel (of control settings, fit and finish) between the 2 Kievs, than I do between the early Kiev and a Contax IIa that I also have.

arothaus · 12-08-2005

Frank,
you are right, the older Kievs feel much better than the later ones (and the leather is much smoother than the vinyl/plastic covering).
But the problem is that a Kiev-2 is about 30 years older than a Kiev-4am. I had some problems with light leaks with my 4am, but it is now a good user-camera. And you have a rewind-crank and the very good Helios-103. And keep in mind that a good Kiev-2 costs at minimum three times more than a 4am.

Regards,
Andreas - using both Kiev-2 and 4am