huw_finney Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Just got a Kiev 4 from a forum member, as part of my camera technology collection, it's not just more gear, honest. Had to put a film through it. First impressions, the best made FSU camera I have ever held, I can see what was meant by 'Contax for the profesional, the Leica is an amateurs camera' just from it's bulk! Long rangefinder base, an inch at 6 feet makes a big difference. Odd shutter (thats why I got it) all that just to get round a patent or two! Scanned a cople of frames for you all, why is there so much more dust when I scan as compared to real printing, and it takes nearly as long to scan (just scan!) as making a print. I don't think I will bother to do much more of it. Couldn't be bothered to remove the dust, but you get the picture (pun intended).<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huw_finney Posted May 22, 2005 Author Share Posted May 22, 2005 Both taken at 1/30th f1.8 53mm Russian lens.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael s. Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Good ones, Huw. If I might use a 4-letter word, I'd say that lens is providing some attractive g l o w. <p><p> For some 'heavy' discussion about FSU gear, see <a href=http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00CFAZ>this recent Classics thread</a>. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiblanke Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Hello Huw, <p> as I said, the Kiev is a nice camera, and in use much better than a screw mount Leica. Nice to hear you put the camera to good use! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huw_finney Posted May 22, 2005 Author Share Posted May 22, 2005 Thanks for the link(s), good old glow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__jon__ Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Nice flare. What did you process that last neg with, 60 or 80 grit? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huw_finney Posted May 22, 2005 Author Share Posted May 22, 2005 I think I dropped it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huw_finney Posted May 22, 2005 Author Share Posted May 22, 2005 Old FSU camera = FLARE Nice Leica = GLOW How vain we all are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_wire Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Huw,..... curious, what is the serial number on the body? In other words, is it an old or new one? Interested in the shutter sound compared to a Leica M or older screw mount. Thanks. Does Photo.Net need a Contax forum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huw_finney Posted May 22, 2005 Author Share Posted May 22, 2005 It's a 1982 (approx) Russian Kiev, shutter clonks at the end of 'higher' (1/50th up) speeds, makes the camera shake a bit but is of no worry, exposure has finished by then. These speeds sound Leica ish a bit louder. Things get a bit odd for the slower speeds, the tension is increased and escapements used to slow the curtains down, e.g. at 1/2 sec (the slowest) it takes about 1/4 sec for the first curtain to open, then a 1/4 sec wait and finaly another 1/4 sec for the second curtain to close. It's worth spending a few quid on one just to find out. Most useable in 'combat' situations, as it would work as an offensive wepon too without that nagging 'will it break my Leica to fend this guy off?' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huw_finney Posted May 22, 2005 Author Share Posted May 22, 2005 8210607 1982 then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_wire Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 HUW,....... thanks....... I am thinking about a purchase...... should it be newer or older one? Hmmmmm..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huw_finney Posted May 22, 2005 Author Share Posted May 22, 2005 A real one or a Kiev?? Later Kiev, less likelyhood of being mangled and later Contax, better shutter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_wire Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Probably a Kiev. Trading off newer Kiev with poorer QC vs older Kiev with better QC I've read, but who knows. Regardless, any age can be used as a defensive weapon, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtk Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Dust isn't the scanner's problem...you'd see it in a sharp enlargement as well.. There's a handy spot/scratch application, free on Polaroid's site... Djon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul t Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 John, do check the beststuff Russian forum for more information (and Classic Cameras here) for a list of recommended sellers. The favoured choice is generally a pre-1960 Kiev 4a; I got hold of one on the 'Bay for $17 with a nice early Jupiter 8 lens. I also bought an amazing early Kiev 2 from 1952, which works abolutely perfectly (the 1959 is a bit loose and will need a service, altho there are many sites, notably the Kiev Survival Site, which will hold your hand). The 2 was from Ruscamera, and had been recently serviced; mine was $101, but prices do seem to be going up a little; the problem with these cameras of course is that they're so cheap your cubboards fill up really quickly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_wire Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Paul T, thanks for the info. I will be checking around for awhile before a purchase. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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