Cable Release Not Working on Kiev 88

[ghwilliam1903]

Hello all,

I’ve recently acquired a Kiev 88 camera, and overall it’s working well — everything functions as expected and the shutter speeds are generally accurate.

However, I’ve encountered a problem when using a cable release. No matter the shutter speed, the shutter won’t fire when I press the cable release, no matter how firmly I push. By contrast, pressing the shutter button directly with my finger (though it’s a bit stiff) works fine.

I tend to use the cable release mainly for tripod shooting at slower speeds, which is when I noticed the issue.

Has anyone else experienced this problem with the Kiev 88? Is it a common quirk of the camera, or could there be a mechanical fault with mine?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[koraks]

Ik really not familiar with this camera, but I have encountered equipment that required a cable release with a fairly long protruding pin, as a shorter one wouldn't engage the shutter. Have you tried pressing into the release socket with something long and narrow to see if you can trip it that way?

 

[loccdor]

On occasion I've fixed a dry cable release socket or shutter button with a single drop of clock oil, if some grit or rust getting into the mechanism was the problem. But you should be able to trip it as Koraks said with any long thin rod if it has any hope of working.

 

[Don_ih]

pressing the shutter button directly with my finger (though it’s a bit stiff)

That might be the issue. If there's too much resistance, the cable may flex rather than continue travel. It may need a bit of attention. Like @loccdor just said.

 

[4season]

I experienced this with a very late production Kiev 88CM (~2005?): The hole in the shutter-release button had been drilled too narrow! The threaded part was fine, so cable releases fit without a problem, they just couldn't do anything. Solution was to widen that hole. You might be tempted to speculate whether Soviet / Ukrainian cable releases were a bit different, but nope, I have examples of those, and they're pretty much same as other European and Japanese types. Once I modified the part, the camera worked fine with cable release.

 

[ghwilliam1903]

Thank you very much for all your replies. I tried using a sharp hexagonal screwdriver to press the shutter release. The release was stiff but began to move with only a shallow press. I suspect the cable release mechanism is binding with the hand release due to a lack of lubrication.
I plan to purchase some clock oil and apply a tiny drop to the release to see if this improves the situation. It’s a real shame that, in its current state, the camera can’t be used for longer exposures because of the non-functional release.

 

[bernard_L]

I plan to purchase some clock oil and apply a tiny drop to the release to see if this improves the situation

I would think twice before dropping oil into a blind hole. Better remote top cover before lubricating, pinpoint and in full sight.

 

[baachitraka]

I plan to purchase some clock oil and apply a tiny drop to the release to see if this improves the situation. It’s a real shame that, in its current state, the camera can’t be used for longer exposures because of the non-functional release.

No. Send it to CLA or look into

Service

Service HARTBLEI and Kiev Prices are indicative. The master names the final price after inspecting the camera. ...

www.hartblei.com

 

[gorbas]

Original cable release supplied with Kiev 80. It's really heavy duty, but also your camera maybe needs CLA.

 

[ghwilliam1903]

Thank you all for all your comments. I have decided not to put clock oil in the camera, but send it to CLA. I will report back on what the issue is.

 

[BTC]

I have tried tripping mine with a cheap modern cable release and it’s a no go. An older one I have has both a longer pin and can push a bit harder and it works fine. Let us know how the CLA goes