Tmax 400, Leica IIIf, Jupiter-8, 1/30 at f/2
The Kiev camera is a clone of the pre-war (1936-1945) Contax II and III, For a good description of the camera, its history, the various models, and links, see Kieth Berry's page. My purpose here is to describe my encounter with the system, and provide high-resolution images that show the performance of the lenses.
I've mostly shot with Leica M cameras since the 1950s, supplemented by a Nikon F2 when necessary. I recently acquired a Leica IIIf because I thought it might be fun to have a small, light camera to carry at all times. (It is.) Poking around ebay looking for screwmount lenses, I saw the various references to Russian lenses and Kiev cameras, and decided to try out Leica's traditional arch-rival, Contax, in clone form. . . the price seemed right.
The first camera was a 1961 Kiev 4. It whetted my appetite. But the rangefinder was off close in by five inches at 1 meter, and focus shifts at 1 meter when rangefinder patch is panned across subject. The shutter became inoperable (broken tape) while shooting 3rd roll. It was sold to me as is. But as the $50 price included two 50mm lenses (Jupiter and Helios), a Jupiter 12 35mm lens and a 35mm finder I can't complain. At present writing it is in Oleg's hands in Russia for overhaul.
Next, an ebay Kiev 4am from Ukraine. Again, rangefinder off, and focus shift close in. Flash synch off (late) at synch speed and slower. Is it too much to ask that the focus on film should be within the depth of field of a 53mm lens wide open? I don't think so. [addendum: After reading Peter Hennig on this subject, I now know that most if not all Kievs need to have their focus tested (and mounts reshimmed if necessary) if they are to be used with demanding lenses like Jupiter-3 50/1.5 and Jupiter-9 85/2.]
Now, the bit was between my teeth. The Kiev is superb in concept, handling and feel, and I was determined to get a good one. I obtained a 1964 Kiev 4a from fedka.com (highly recommended) here in New York. It is excellent -- silky wind action, accurate rangefinder. The shutter is a bit slow. (I use a Calumet shutter tester). I base my shutter settings on a little label I put on the top deck of the camera indicating the actual speeds. Even this one has close-in focus shift, but the left edge of the patch is reasonably accurate. (I've handled about six Kiev bodies and a 1936 Contax II at this point, all have had this close-in focus shift to a greater or lesser extent).
The experience hasn't been as smooth as I expected. But trying out new gear can drive picture taking, which is a good thing. And the process of realizing rangefinder is out of synch close up, and devising tests to diagnose and quantify the error was rewarding. (I also applied the same tests to my Leica bodies and lenses -- I was relieved to find everything totally in synch except for one lens, which I am having corrected).
Below: Fedka's Yuri Boguslavsky in a dark corner of Starbucks,
January 2003.
Tmax 400, Leica IIIf, Jupiter-8, 1/30 at f/2