Russian Kiev 4 Ragefinder

blockend

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
5,049
Location
northern eng
Format
35mm
Just received a Russian Kiev 4 camera from a seller overseas. There are problems with the shutter. Does anyone work on these cameras in the US?
Nice Freudian typo with "ragefinder". The Kiev/Contax shutter is unorthodox some people swear they are straightforward and reliable, a greater number find them complex and quirky. Either way chances are the shutter will cause issues sooner or later. I'm not based in the US but if you find a repairer he'll probably price the job in Contax dollars, not 1970s FSU beater currency because the desirable Contax and the less desirable Kiev are essentially the same camera. Personally I'd return the camera and get a working example. If all else fails these links may help:
http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/index.html
https://kievaholic.com/
 

btaylor

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 28, 2010
Messages
2,259
Location
Los Angeles
Format
Large Format
Try contacting fedka.com. He has guaranteed examples and surely can suggest a repair solution.
 

E. von Hoegh

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Joined
Sep 14, 2011
Messages
6,197
Location
Adirondacks
Format
Multi Format
Funny.
I found two, inexpensively, which worked well enough on arrival,
a '59 K4a and a '69 K4 with working meter. After defered maintenenance, both are reliable and the 4a is smoother than my '36 Contax. Of course, the 4a has had miles of film through it and the Contax is basically unused./
A decent Kiev is a very good camera.
Also, it would help if you describe said issues.
 
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