Kiev 4 RF rangefinder and lens scale are arguing

Hi. I purchased a Kiev 4 (I verified that it is a 4) on Sunday at a

camera fair in Toronto for the princely sum of 80 Canadian dollars.

with a Jupiter 8 50 f2 lens and a case.

 

Everything looks okay except for the rangefinder trying to persuade

me that what is to my eyes about 10 metres is actually 4 metres.

 

Also. looking at 20 metres and beyond, the rangefinder patch matches

when I dial the focus wheel to more like 10 metres.

 

My question is two parts.

 

1. I am part way through a test roll using 400 ASA film and I have

been using the distance scale on the lens mount to set distance. I

can take a few shots based on what the rangefinder is telling me.

Which is mostly likely to be right?

 

2. If the lens scale is the correct distance, I can live with that

for awhile, OR I can look for a tech to open the top and adjust the

rangefinder. Do many techs like to work on these babies? Any

recommendations for one in Canada, preferably Toronto area?

 

I kind of like it and would like to shoot some film with it. So a

repair investment of a moderate sum is not unreasonable to me.

 

My test roll should show me if the shutter and the film advance are

working okay, I assume? I have tried some slow and some fast shutter

speeds.

 

Comments, suggestions, advice, please and thank you in advance.

 

Regards

Bill Gibson

<P>1. Rangefinders can go wrong, so if your distance estimation is normally good, trust that rather than an old rangefinder.</P><P>2. I doubt whether an economical repair can be done on this camera. By all means try to get an estimate.</P><P>The Jupiter is a well regarded lens so if you can focus it accurately, good images should result.</P>

The rangefinder is very often 'out of whack' on these cameras, but it's very easy to adjust. There's a screw right next to the viewfinder on the front of the camera, above the taking lens. This is just a cover cap for the rangefinder adjuster screw. Undo the larger cover screw (be careful, it's quite short - only two or three turns are needed to undo it), and this should reveal a small adjuster screw inside the camera. You'll need a small-bladed jeweller's screwdriver to adjust it.<p>Set the lens to infinity, and find an object a good distance away, say a mile or more, to look at through the viewfinder, and then adjust the rangefinder until the images coincide. Replace the capping screw. Done!<p>You should check the rangefinder at a measured closer distance too. If it's out here, then someone's been messing with the coupling cam, and that's a much more difficult adjustment. You're on your own in that case.

Bill,

 

I think Brian is right. You would probably be able to buy a fully functioning Kiev for less than the cost of the service to the rangefinder. Think of the rangefinder as chiefly decorative and shoot by scale.

Pete's rangefinder adjusting recommendation is for a Zorki, not a Kiev (in case you're going crazy searching for that adjusting screw next to the viewfinder). I would guess that the rangefinder follower cam is sticking. This is near the right-hand rangefinder window, under the top cover... not really all that easy to get at, actually. email me if you're in the mood for a winter hobby project and i'll send you some sketches and notes for the disassembly, otherwise you can probably find another body pretty cheap.

 

the kiev 4 rangefinder is exceptionally good when it's working, and they don't go off that often. kind of a shame yours is giving trouble. if it's just sticky, giving it a good whack (with the palm of your hand, not a hammer or brick) might bring the images into line (this should not be considered a permanent repair).

 

rick :)=

 

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Peter, I cant seem to see the screw you are talking about above the lens. What I see is the "arm", I will call it that, on the lens mount that forms the lock for the lens at mounting and at infinity. This is curved flat piece of metal which has three screws on it, one small one, and two of equal size with the red dot between them. Taking off the lens and looking at this mounting flange, it looks to me like these three screws'job is to hold the flange to the mount. They dont appear to be the cap screw that you are talking about.

 

If you look at this link, this is the camera that is sitting on my desk staring back at me.

 

http://www.keithberry.telinco.co.uk/Kiev4man.htm

after a little surfing I found another good site....

 

http://home.planet.nl/%7Eucklomp/

 

lots of information on a range of Russian cameras

 

and Yes he meant a zorki : )

 

I will try the hand slam and will consider the winter project. Thanks

well, by golly by gosh, the hand slam seems to have settled the argument between the rangefinder and the lens distance scale....many thanks to the responders.

 

regards

Bill Gibson

Yes, I was thinking of the Zorki 4. The Kiev 4 is the Contax copy, isn't it?

HI Rick and everyone else. I have a kiev 4 that is doing the same

thing, but it's not quite as off (only a few inches, but very noticable

at close range at f-2). Anyway Rick I'd love to get those sketches/

drawings etc. Thanks.

 

Mark

hi guys, one of the good things about these cameras is the fact that one can fix them. I fix mine with excellent results. To adjust the K4 RF, you need to remove the front chrome plate. Under the view finder window you will see two little screws holding the viewfinder. Slightly open the two screws - don't need to open it all the way - and set the range to infinity until it locks. Using a small screw driver-try moving the little screws to left and right. There is a two mm playing space. Look in the view finder and then move the little screw to left or right until you see two images merge. Tighten the screws and it is all done. Be careful it might be sensetive, but you will get to know it after a few time. Good luck