Kiev 19 adventure

Bought yet another challenge; two Kiev 19 bodies. The other one is from 1992 and was sold as parts, the light meter does not work - otherwise seems that it has not seen much use - maybe none. The other one is 1986 and has been used and even tested, but the 1/500 was just the same as 1/250. So something wrong in that too.

I think the older one could be better candidate, since it's made before USSR collapse + it has actually been used. But I have to fix the speeds and the bent light baffle (looks like someone had mangled it)

There's a manual for this @ learncamerarepair
https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=783&category=2&secondary=24

Started dismantling the 1992 one. So far, seems quite "normal", it's modular - you can remove the lens mount unit after peeling the leathers and zero springs and washers fly at your face. The electronics can be screwed off and lifted off with the mirror box - as one unit (and no surprise springs and bent levers at your face either!)

I hear that the problem with these is poor material quality. It may well be - this looks a bit like Praktica MTL but with more coarse parts. So yet another "principle" camera from the east, it's OK if the fabrication has gone ok..

And some more photos.

It's downright funny how much the focus screen and prism are tilted. Maybe to compensate for the crooked mirror plate. Looking thru it with lens on everything looks normal - at least it was adjusted OK at the factory

Once the camera is repaired, use a viewfinder eyecup while shooting. The light leakage through the viewfinder is really bad and will spoil your photos on sunny days.

chuck3565 said:

use a viewfinder eyecup while shooting. The light leakage through the viewfinder is really bad and will spoil your photos on sunny days.

Click to expand...

Excellent advice. The other body happens to have an eyecup with it. I might also be able to remedy the problem while the camera is in pieces

Shining torch to the eyepiece, it's very evident where all the extraneous leak light comes from



The camera meters through a small aperture at the corner of the prism. I think this is an OK solution - it does not dim the viewfinder view, as opposed to Praktica MTL or early Zenit TTL that meter through a semi-transparent spot on the prism.



The focusing screen is large compared to Zenit - about 24x39mm (there's extra at the sides for mounting + leds). There's also a hefty lens



Here's a video how the shutter blades operate. This is the shutter from the 1992 one, the blades seem to be some sort of plastic coated metal (?)

Love that mirror foam! Looks like a ribbon of seaweed trying to escape the camera and locate some water. Every Russian/FSU camera that I've owned seemed to be have more of an agriculture design and finish. They sure got the lenses right on them though. Great glass.