Any Kiev Questions? physiognomy Is Around (for a while)

ruben · 02-10-2008

Hi folks,

Due to the non-presence of several real in-depht Kiev "conossieurs", I felt for some time, and quite a long one, being treated as one of them. It didn't help that I disclaimed it time and again.

But now, one of the authentic chiefs is around, I guess having a short holidays from his University.

His name is physiognomy .

Due to his studies he may disappear rather soon into the wilderness. So don't miss the chance, and whatever questions you have he is here by now. Hurry.

Cheers,
Ruben

physiognomy · 02-10-2008

I got a good laugh out of this thread. Thank you, I needed it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruben

... Due to the non-presence of several real in-depht Kiev "conossieurs", I felt for some time, and quite a long one, being treated as one of them. It didn't help that I disclaimed it time and again.

Don't sell yourself short Ruben... You have shared much passion & valuable information about Kievs to the members here & deserve the recognition. I have learned from your posts & appreciate the time you take to share your experiences. Keep it up!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruben

But now, one of the authentic chiefs is around, I guess having a short holidays from his University. His name is physiognomy. Due to his studies he may disappear rather soon into the wilderness. So don't miss the chance, and whatever questions you have he is here by now. Hurry...

I must admit that I couldn't stop laughing after reading this... Thank you for the kind words, but the only thing I can claim is that I have been missing from the forum & hope to be around a little more. I'm looking forward to having the time to play with my Kievs & actually take some pictures. Soon I hope...

Peter

acheyj · 02-10-2008

Ok two greats !
I sit at the feet of both masters ! , well Ruben started it.
Question.
How do I re-syncronise the main gear in the shutter train in a Kiev (4). I can CLA, light proof, adjust frame spacing ok. It took a couple of wrecked Kievs and much swearing, but thanks to the KSS and many like Ruben I now have some confidence. I had to guess the settings for the curtain gap for the fast speed and roughly get the main gear set for the slow speeds. I feel whilst I have it working it was more by good luck than skill. As I am sure you know the gears interact and to set one "stuffs" the other, no problem with three hands and four pliers.
So HELP any thorts o great gurus of this disease we are infected with.

ron

acheyj · 02-10-2008

BTW it is tomorow here (Mount Gambier South Australia) so physiognomy I will get the reply from you and Ruben before I send the question . Majic !

ron

ruben · 02-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by acheyj

Ok two greats !
I sit at the feet of both masters ! , well Ruben started it.
Question.
How do I re-syncronise the main gear in the shutter train in a Kiev (4). I can CLA, light proof, adjust frame spacing ok. It took a couple of wrecked Kievs and much swearing, but thanks to the KSS and many like Ruben I now have some confidence. I had to guess the settings for the curtain gap for the fast speed and roughly get the main gear set for the slow speeds. I feel whilst I have it working it was more by good luck than skill. As I am sure you know the gears interact and to set one "stuffs" the other, no problem with three hands and four pliers.
So HELP any thorts o great gurus of this disease we are infected with.

ron

these, for example, are issues I have not the slightest idea.

Cheers,
Ruben

physiognomy · 02-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by acheyj

How do I re-syncronise the main gear in the shutter train in a Kiev (4)?

Hey Ron,

I'm definitely no expert as Ruben states, but I will try to help out if I can... Best thing would be to post some pics to help explain what you are trying to do. I haven't looked at a Kiev shutter since last year & it is all a little hazy. It sounds like this link (click) on the KSS would be of assistance to you, but it is down at the moment. Does Russ still check in here from time to time?

I'm originally from Adelaide btw... Hoping to move back home to Aus sometime in the next few months.

Peter (not an expert!)

acheyj · 02-11-2008

Thanks Peter.
Have two shutters out of the camera and will post some pics soon, I have to go to Adelaide next week for medical reasons so maybe a week or so.
The reason is one shutter shaft on the upper roller came out allowing the gear train to unmesh. The windiing train operates on the upper roller and its mesh controls the curtain gap for high speeds. The upper roller gear then meshes with the main (big) gear that sets the sequence for the various escapments for slow speed. So altering one affects the other, its a real bugger to get it all lined up.
I manged to get it all working and have kept some notes, but it was all guess work.

ron
BTW the first Kiev I got came from Tassie and was bought new from Adelaide Central Market Camera House. It was imaculate but the slowest speed escapment shaft rusted tight. I knew nothing about Kievs then and finished up removing all the slow speed mechanisims. It works wonderfully smooth and quiet now down to 1/50 sec. Since then I got interested and bought a couple of bodies from Alex to learn on. At present I am waiting for a black 4a + 35/f2.8 from Fedka. So the infection rages on and no cure in sight.
Have at present 1 rough shooter, 1 really good high speed only, 1 4m (meter), 2 bodies for parts.

spiderfrank · 02-13-2008

ok... Let me start with a simple question: if you look at the viewfinder front window of my Kiev II ( http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54389 ) , there is some black, in the inner border: should I paint it black, or erase all the traces? In the Kiev 2a it was not painted, and also I've seen a lot of photos of Kiev cameras, with the border not painted ...

Thank you
Franco

physiognomy · 02-14-2008

Hi Franco,

Congratulations (again) on your new Kiev! Definitely a nice looking camera & I hope it performs well (it should given the source). Quickly looking over my Kievs I notice that most of them have some paint missing from the viewfinder bezel frame. I did repaint one with matte black spray paint the last time I had it open, but it appears that paint does not adhere very well. I can't imagine that it will have any great impact if you remove the paint, but my guess is that it was originally there to reduce the chance of reflections into the viewfinder? I would probably leave as is or try repainting with a fine brush, but that is just me...

Peter

ruben · 02-15-2008

Hi Franco,
As we all know, the viewing borders of the Kievs are rather fuzzy, or blurred.
But after using my Kiev on a daily basis, I have found I am not paying any attention any more to this issue, as my concentration goes towards the image.

Ok, you know, "that's me".

Cheers,
Ruben

PS,
A lot of things change as well when your Kiev becomes your daily camera.

spiderfrank · 02-15-2008

Yes, I know what you mean, Ruben, but these minor issues are so easy to fix, that it's a shame not to work a bit on them... Of course if the new little baby will be good, and works well with the first test rolls! ;-)

Thank you Physiognomy for the info

Franco

TVphotog · 02-15-2008

Okay, lets ask this question. I have a 1950 issue Kiev with a ZK lens. When I first introduced the camera, I called it a Kiev 2. Someone and I can't remember who hinted that it might not be a Kiev 2. I could never figure it out. Maybe you know. Anyway, here is the camera after a sort-of CLA

So what have I got? Or does the mystery still remain? Either way, I like the camera!!

zhang xk · 02-15-2008

Some early 1950 Kiev II still has some Zeiss parts in it. The 3K Zorki 50/2 lens may still have Zeiss Sonnar lens elements. IMHO, these cameras are interesting historical evidence of Zeiss Ikon Contax-Soviet Kiev story.:-) These cameras have a higher collectors value, but as a tool, they are identical to later Kiev IIs.:-)

physiognomy · 02-15-2008

Hey TV,

I can't see anything that would suggest your camera is not a II. According to Princelle, 1950 was the first year of production & the lack of flash sync, block Cyrillic front plate etc all fit... Nice looking camera! You have to love the 'zeiss' bumps! How does the '50 ZK 50/2 perform? I have a very similar '51 J-8 with the tabbed aperture ring...

-edit- Just saw your other post... Some really sharp shots! That lens is definitely a keeper!

Peter

rpinchbeck · 02-16-2008

I'm kind of here from time to time. My job is consuming most of my waking hours and the few hours I get to chill out with, I'm doing a complete rebuild of an Oly RC and also cataloging a 50 year old negative collection I acquired.

Broken link you say? Ugh, I must check into this. I did have a bit of a mishap with the site and some images got scrambled and possibly more it seems. Actually, there is a bit of a story to this. The laptop I was doing most of my writing of the KSS on kind of hit the ground hard and is now no more. This article on Shutter Speed Adjusting may have been one of those that "bit the biscuit" before it got backed up.

Cheers,

Russ

Quote:

Originally Posted by physiognomy

this link (click) on the KSS would be of assistance to you, but it is down at the moment. Does Russ still check in here from time to time?

zhang xk · 02-16-2008

Dear Russ,

Could you find some original Kiev shutter ribbons? I have 2-3 Kievs that I may wish to replace the ribbons.

Kind Regards

Zhang