Kiev rangefinder

All these models are derivatives of the pre-WW2 Contax rangefinder bodies, and were made after the WW2 by Arsenal factory in Kiev, former USSR.

Unmetered models

They are all derivatives of the Zeiss Ikon Contax II.

Kiev-2

(or Kiev II)

• Produced between 1947-57
• There are 4 types and 5 sub-types
• Type 1a cameras were made using some original Contax parts from Germany, and produced only in 1947
• The front plate is engraved only in Cyrillic, which distinguishes it from later unmetered models
• Lenses:
  • Collapsible ZK or ZK-Zorki 50mm f/2 (1947-1949)
  • Solid ZK 50mm f/2 (1949-1951)
  • Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 Kiev mount(1951-1957)

Kiev-2 type 2e (c.1952) Image by киев  (Image rights)

Kiev-2A

• Produced between 1955-58
• There are 2 types
• As a Kiev-2 with flash sync added
• Name on the front plate engraved Cyrillic and Latin
• Lens: Jupiter-8 50mm f/2

Kiev-2A type 2 (1956-58) Image Laszlo_Gerencser  (Image rights)

Kiev-4A

• Produced between 1956-80
• There are 8 types and 4 sub-types
• Upgraded version of Kiev-2A
• Without the stabilizing foot
• Later models have top speed of 1/1000 instead of 1/1250
• Lens: Jupiter-8M 50mm f/2

Kiev-4A type 6a Image by Siim Vahur  (Image rights)

Kiev-4AM

• 

  Kiev 4AM

  ^{by Ryszard Kobus}

  Produced between 1980-87
• There are 3 types and 5 sub-types
• The modernized model of Kiev-4A
• With a fixed take-up spool
• With a rewind lever
• Lenses:
  • Jupiter-8M 50mm f/2
  • Helios-103 53mm f/1.8

Kiev-4AM type 3a (1982) Image by Klaus Riesner (Image rights)

Metered models

They are all derivatives of the Zeiss Ikon Contax III.

Kiev-3

(or Kiev III)

• Produced between 1948-56
• There are 6 type and 2 sub-types
• A clone of the pre-war Contax III
• It has an uncoupled selenium meter
• Lens: Jupiter-8 50mm f/2

Kiev-3A

• Produced between 1954-59
• There are 10 types and 3 sub-types
• As a Kiev-3 with flash sync added
• Lenses:
  • Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 (1951-1958)
  • Jupiter-8M 50mm f/2 (1958)

Kiev-3A <Image by bottledog  (Image rights)

Kiev-4

• Produced between 1957-79
• There are 4 types and 8 sub-types
• Kiev 4 is similar to Kiev-3A
• Without the stabilizing foot
• Some cosmetic styling changes influenced by the Contax IIIa
  • The back part and body is upgraded

    

    Kiev 4

    ^{by Ryszard Kobus}

  • The size of an exposure meter is smaller
• Later samples have top speed of 1/1000 instead of 1/1250
• Lens: Jupiter-8M 50mm f/2

Kiev-4 type 1c (1958-59) Image by l.Amato  (Image rights)

Kiev-4M

• Produced between 1976-87
• There are 5 types and 5 sub-types
• Kiev-4M is the modernized model of Kiev-4
• Lenses:
  • Jupiter-8M (2/50mm)
  • Helios-103 (1.8/53mm)

Kiev-4M type 4 (1980) Image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

Kiev-5

• Produced between 1968-73
• There are 3 types and 3 sub-types
• Pure Soviet design
• The lens mount does not have the inner bayonet
• With a film advance lever
• With the shutter cocking lever
• Lenses:
  • Jupiter-8NB 52mm f/2
  • Helios-94 50mm f/1.8

Bibliography

In English

• Princelle, Jean Loup - Made In USSR - The Authentic Guide To Russian And Soviet Cameras, Le Reve Edition, 2004 (ISBN 2952252106 (ISBN13: 9782952252102) Paperback

In Russian

• 1200 Cameras from USSR by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin, 2009 , more info about book

Links

• in Fotoua.
• in SovietCams
• Tribute to Kiev 4
• JM Burtscher sovietcamera website : www.Sovietcamera.fr website
• Kiev Cameras at Sylvain Halgand's www.collection-appareils.fr
• Kiev 4 at r-kobus.eu
• Kiev 4AM at r-kobus.eu
• Kiev 4A (in German): Kiev 4A – die russische Contax and Die Kiev 4A in der Praxis