So who were these for?

[blockend]

Oh, I've nearly bought a 4a on many occasions. Should I not?

The 4a is my favourite camera by some way, it's just not very reliable, and fixing them is a specialist task. Like all such tasks it attracts a premium. Which may be acceptable on an original Contax II, but a bit of a stretch on a £30 Kiev 4.

The issue is the shutter, which is operated by two ribbons working on a tensioned blind-like mechanism. These ribbons fray, and fixing them is for someone familiar with the type, or having more patience than I have. I've tried, and though I routinely repair old cameras, it's beyond my skill set. I should probably buy the largely similar Nikon rangefinder, especially as the Nikon F is a derivative, and my favourite SLR.

The Helios 103 replaced the Jupiter 8 on Kiev 35mm rangefinder cameras, and is far superior to any of my J8 lenses. Unfortunately, the Helios was introduced on the Kiev 4M, which is generally acknowledged to be the worst built Kiev. By that point Kiev cameras were being thrown together, and for the home market repairers fixed 4's straight out the box. Export models fared little better, so earlier Kievs are to be preferred. I believe someone in Ukraine fixes them up for sale to us aging hipsters, but other people will know more about that. Whatever, the Helios 103 is an absolute peach of a lens.

 

[blockend]

Thanks to your post i've searching the internet for more images from the 50/1.8 FD New that showcase its bokeh/rendering. I think you're right -- very good rendering, better than the 50 1.4 SSC which has "double-line" bokeh; i think I'll use mine more.

The FDn 50mm 1.4 bokeh is equally busy in my opinion, and somewhat prone to focal aberrations.

 

[AgX]

What does "somewhat prone to focal aberrations" mean?

 

[blockend]

What does "somewhat prone to focal aberrations" mean?

Focus shift at wider apertures, typically between f2.8 and f4.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Oh, I've nearly bought a 4a on many occasions. Should I not?

The rule for Kiev cameras seems to be that the older the model, the more Contax magic is left in it. I have a pair of Kiev 4 -- one has a semi-bad advance clutch and occasionally overlaps frames; the other has a slow shutter (a stop slow at 1/25, worse at slower speeds) -- and there doesn't seem to be anyone in the USA who'll work on FSU cameras (at this point, I hope to get a real Contax II sometime in the next year). If you can find a Kiev 2 or 3, they're still a very good copy of a pre-War Contax II or III. I'd probably look for the Kiev 2, since it was built without a meter. The meters from the 1950s-1960s are likely to be inaccurate if they work at all, and I've gotten used to Sunny 16 or an external meter over the past fifty years.

 

[RLangham]

The rule for Kiev cameras seems to be that the older the model, the more Contax magic is left in it. I have a pair of Kiev 4 -- one has a semi-bad advance clutch and occasionally overlaps frames; the other has a slow shutter (a stop slow at 1/25, worse at slower speeds) -- and there doesn't seem to be anyone in the USA who'll work on FSU cameras (at this point, I hope to get a real Contax II sometime in the next year). If you can find a Kiev 2 or 3, they're still a very good copy of a pre-War Contax II or III. I'd probably look for the Kiev 2, since it was built without a meter. The meters from the 1950s-1960s are likely to be inaccurate if they work at all, and I've gotten used to Sunny 16 or an external meter over the past fifty years.

If you can't find anyone else in the US, Mike Trost at Phototronic is a good guy who's open to trying a lot, and he explicitly does work on FSU stuff--a Zorki is the header image on his site.
He's from a younger generation of repairmen, I think, probably only in his fifties, very energetic and not hardset in his opinions of specific cameras. His rates seem cheap, but I haven't actually paid him for a repair yet. He diagnosed my OM-2 as needing a complete shutter replacement, at which point another camera would be more economical, so he didn't charge me. I'm sending him my F2 soon for flash issues.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I'll have to check Phototronic -- given I've got two bodies from the same generation (two years apart by serial number) I could send them along with instructions to use one for parts if needed -- but I really think they both just need appropriate CLA. I'd like to be able to have one for color, one for B&W, or one fast film and the other slow...

 

[RLangham]

I'll have to check Phototronic -- given I've got two bodies from the same generation (two years apart by serial number) I could send them along with instructions to use one for parts if needed -- but I really think they both just need appropriate CLA. I'd like to be able to have one for color, one for B&W, or one fast film and the other slow...

Now, I will say, he explicitly does not do preventative CLA, but if you're presenting with a problem that shouldn't matter.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Yep, both of these have minor problems. One has a loose advance clutch causing frame overlaps, the other has a slow shutter.

 

[RLangham]

Yep, both of these have minor problems. One has a loose advance clutch causing frame overlaps, the other has a slow shutter.

Well, advance clutch sounds like a job you'd be good for, Donald. Is it more difficult than it sounds? Or is it just that you're worried about disassembly? Either way his minimum is 80 per camera, but that covers most basic mechanical jobs, with 140 being the next step up. He's only ever quoted me 140 for repairs involving parts from his parts cameras.

 

[Donald Qualls]

The Kiev Survival Site has gone, and while the pages are still on the Wayback Machine, I've looked them over and yes, the clutch is an adjustment, though it requires disassembling the advance (the slow shutter might just need cleaning, or be an adjustment), but I no longer have a good size table where I can work under a good light, I have three times as many cats as I did last time I did significant camera work, and many of my tools are still in boxes or tubs from my move five-plus years ago. And at no time have I ever done work involving the regulation and operation of a focal plane shutter. I have relatively more money, and less time and space, than I had in the past.

 

[binglebugbob]

I've sent two Kiev Contax clones (a IIa and a III) to Oleg Khalyavin in Moscow. His email address: Oleg Khalyavin <photocameras@mail.ru> Oleg replaces the shutter ribbons as part of the service, checks the rangefinder and light meter. He also cleans the viewfinder optics. When he worked on one of my Kievs, he found where someone had replaced some of the original screws with non originals and he replaced those with original screws.

This was the estimate he had given me:
"CLA for Kiev cost 99 euro New ribbons included in prices, Shipping back is 22 euro for parcel up to 1 kg (Kiev body only without case)".

If the light meter is bad on a III, I understand he has new replacements he will install (at the time of a CLA) for around $15, if desired Shipping from the Seattle area for the body runs around $20-$25.
Both cameras function perfectly--Possibly better than when new. He also has some parts (and lenses) for Kiev and Zorki he will sell direct . .
He also services Leica copies and replaces shutter curtains in at least some of them.

I was a little apprehensive when I sent the first Kiev to him, but for any first timers, you can track shipment progress through USPS using the Customs number. It may take up to 2 months to arrive, or you may be lucky and it may take as little as 3 weeks...It depends largely on the number of flights (impact of covid-19). I've had no problem with loss or damage in around 3 or 4 items. He communicates well in English, and I've enjoyed dealing with him. My opinion is that Oleg is "good people".
--Bob.
No, I am not affiliated with Oleg, nor am I working on a commission!

 

[RLangham]

I've sent two Kiev Contax clones (a IIa and a III) to Oleg Khalyavin in Moscow. His email address: Oleg Khalyavin <photocameras@mail.ru> Oleg replaces the shutter ribbons as part of the service, checks the rangefinder and light meter. He also cleans the viewfinder optics. When he worked on one of my Kievs, he found where someone had replaced some of the original screws with non originals and he replaced those with original screws.

This was the estimate he had given me:
"CLA for Kiev cost 99 euro New ribbons included in prices, Shipping back is 22 euro for parcel up to 1 kg (Kiev body only without case)".

If the light meter is bad on a III, I understand he has new replacements he will install (at the time of a CLA) for around $15, if desired Shipping from the Seattle area for the body runs around $20-$25.
Both cameras function perfectly--Possibly better than when new. He also has some parts (and lenses) for Kiev and Zorki he will sell direct . .
He also services Leica copies and replaces shutter curtains in at least some of them.

I was a little apprehensive when I sent the first Kiev to him, but for any first timers, you can track shipment progress through USPS using the Customs number. It may take up to 2 months to arrive, or you may be lucky and it may take as little as 3 weeks...It depends largely on the number of flights (impact of covid-19). I've had no problem with loss or damage in around 3 or 4 items. He communicates well in English, and I've enjoyed dealing with him. My opinion is that Oleg is "good people".
--Bob.
No, I am not affiliated with Oleg, nor am I working on a commission!

Oleg is a good guy. I bought a replacement eyepiece for a FED and a rewind knob and pressure plate for a Zorki. His prices are minimal and his shipping is as good as can be expected.