Reply to KIEV 52 and 53 front masks

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[quote]Hello,

while having two Kievs disassembled on the table I noticed some differences between the front masks of them.

One is a 1952 Kiev II, the other a 1953 Kiev II. In these years there must be a change of production, maybe the original Zeiss machines were replaced by self made ones? I also notice a simplified manufacturing process.

Some details:
Here we see the front mask of the 1952 Kiev (front and back side):

[img]http://fotos.cconin.de/ussrphoto/k5201.jpg[/img]

[img]http://fotos.cconin.de/ussrphoto/k5202.jpg[/img]

Compared to the one from 1953 we see that the chrome is more shiny on the older mask, specially on the inside of the mask:

[img]http://fotos.cconin.de/ussrphoto/k5301.jpg[/img]

[img]http://fotos.cconin.de/ussrphoto/k5302.jpg[/img]

We can also see that the older one has a lightning seal at the left viewfinder window, and that it has only 2 of the cut outs like the Contax mask instead of 3 ones. At the right viewfinder window a little spring is attached, which I have never seen before:

[img]http://fotos.cconin.de/ussrphoto/k5204.jpg[/img]

What I also find interesting is the different technique of engraving/stamping the name in. The 1953 Kiev shows only some footprints of the stamped name on the back side, on the 1952 one you can see an oval field in the back of the mask in which the footprints are hard to see:

[img]http://fotos.cconin.de/ussrphoto/k5303.jpg[/img]

[img]http://fotos.cconin.de/ussrphoto/k5203.jpg[/img]

Maybe they have corrected an error here? Or there was another technique of engraving/stamping? I don't know.

The material of the mask of the 1953 Kiev seems to be a bit thicker than the older one, but the rims around the viewfinder windows on the front are more sharp on the 1952 mask.

Another picture shows some Kiev parts on the table :-)

[img]http://fotos.cconin.de/ussrphoto/kparts.jpg[/img]

By the way, the 1952 Kiev is a real nice one, it looks like new, works like new, has a 1951 J-8 lens and comes with a like new looking leather case.

Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de[/quote]

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