Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Members | Search | FAQ
Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?


 All Forums
 General Discussion
 Collectors and Users Open Forum
 Very early Kiev 4
 New Topic
 Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

Ulrich W.
uwittehh

Germany
837 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 01 2016 :  12:37:20 PM  Show Profile  Visit uwittehh's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Hello to all and a happy new year!

Recently I found this early Kiev 4 with 5-digit serial number. I have never seen such a number on a Kiev 4 before, I only knew serial number with 6 or 7 digits. The lens has a matching early 57 number (5700244).



Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de

jed
France
391 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 01 2016 :  2:09:09 PM  Show Profile  Visit jed's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Hi Ulrich !

Happy new year ;)

That's funny I just bought that camera :





It's in transit, I'm still waiting for it.

Five digit s/n are 'common'. I've got Kiev cameras from 1951,52 and 53 with such five digit number.
Jed
Go to Top of Page

Ulrich W.
uwittehh
Germany
837 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 01 2016 :  2:41:50 PM  Show Profile  Visit uwittehh's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Fine, another one and yours has a nice number :-)

Yes, I have seen five digit serial numbers on earlier Kievs but not on a Kiev 4 before.

Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de
Go to Top of Page

jed
France
391 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 02 2016 :  02:10:30 AM  Show Profile  Visit jed's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Hi Ulrich,

Have a look at the incredible DVD technik collection :

http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/collect/arsenal/arsenal.htm

He even owns a 1951 sample !
Jean



Go to Top of Page
altix
Ukraine
152 Posts
Posted - Jan 02 2016 :  05:12:40 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Here is from mine Kiev 4

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/212016_59.JPG

Go to Top of Page

jed
France
391 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 02 2016 :  06:14:21 AM  Show Profile  Visit jed's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Great !

Early Kiev 4 are interesting to collect. That one for example :


Edited by - jed on Jan 02 2016 3:04:39 PM
Go to Top of Page
altix
Ukraine
152 Posts
Posted - Jan 02 2016 :  06:26:43 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
please also note that on these small number Kiev 4 there is a defect in logotype: letters "e" and "B" are not connected as in usual logo.
Go to Top of Page

jed
France
391 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 02 2016 :  06:41:42 AM  Show Profile  Visit jed's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Hi Altix,

You're correct my recently bought 1957 Kiev 4 has the same front plate as that one pictured here :



To me it does not look like a defect.
Go to Top of Page
Jacques M.
France
2604 Posts
Posted - Jan 02 2016 :  07:02:08 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote

These "short" numbers, for the 1957 Kiev 4, are interesting.
Would it mean a new numbering for this year?
But what do we know exactly about the numberings of these cameras? As for me, I stop in 1952!

Jacques.
Go to Top of Page

Ulrich W.
uwittehh
Germany
837 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 02 2016 :  10:59:58 AM  Show Profile  Visit uwittehh's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Interesting, my camera also has the defect logotype on the front plate.

Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de
Go to Top of Page
SteveA
United Kingdom
134 Posts
Posted - Jan 02 2016 :  1:45:32 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi, these cameras are interesting. Suspect most know that the Kiev 4 was strongly influenced by the Contax IIIa, and an attempt by Arsenal to modernise the Kiev. Contax IIIa production started in 1951.
Re. the 57203 and 57777 cameras, it appears the top shroud of the light meter was a direct copy of the Ziess original; Arsenal added the re-inforcement swages some time after (suspect because a thinner grade of metal was used compared to Zeiss).
Jed: it looks like your camera may be a hybrid as it has the old Kiev IIa/IIIa type base, back and backlocks. That part of the redesign by Arsenal to match the Contax IIIa was not as successful as the Contax IIIa was a narrower camera whilst the Kiev 4/4A retained the basic dimensions of its predecesor. This apparently lead to film flatness issues and distortion of the back though I have not had such issues with mine.

Cheers,

Steve
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic
 Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
USSRPhoto.com Forums © USSRPhoto.com Go To Top Of Page
Snitz Forums 2000
Google