Kiev 5 - strange leatherette

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Printed on: 5/14/2026 9:37:08 AM

Topic

Topic author: zcetrt

Posted on: 20141222135558

Hi to all.

I came across a Kiev 5 dressed up in a red snake skin. I'm practically certain it's a fake, but the seller claims it's original and that he has owned it for a very long time. He told me these cameras were given out as gifts to important persons. It has a lens cap in the same style and even a snake skin strip on the case.

I would love to be wrong about this camera being a fake. What are your opinions? Any chance it's a real one?

http://shrani.si/f/1M/aU/bmxYUuS/kiev51.jpg

http://shrani.si/f/2g/Jb/brexiwl/kiev52.jpg

http://shrani.si/f/3i/IQ/hvnufbA/kiev53.jpg

http://shrani.si/f/1K/an/4hWzstOW/kiev54.jpg

Replies

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20141222140832

It's an aftermarket. It may have been done in 1971 but not at the factory. Usually ones for important people were specially engraved and engravings may have been colored but I've yet to see an original snakeskin camera to come out of any Soviet factory.

Cheers,
Vlad

Reply author: AlexanderK

Replied on: 20141222162750

Yes, it is aftermarket, but from early-middle 90th, wenn the border opened and russian cameras started to be sold to the west.
Some sellers do it still nowadays. I have also one Zorki-4 with snakeskin cover in beige. It looks very nice, but it is also aftermarket [:)].

Regards, Alexander

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20141222212743

The câmera is original but releathered elsewhere not at the factory.
The ready case proves it ad also the lens cap.
Of couse a recent refurbishment
LP

Reply author: zcetrt

Replied on: 20141223012614

Thank you for the feedback. I would rather have it in original state, but it's still an impressive camera. It fully works so I have to try it with a Jupiter 12 since it has a nice viewfinder.

Have a nice day.

Reply author: Lenny

Replied on: 20141223045006

Does it have a selenium-cell for the lightmeter too?

Reply author: zcetrt

Replied on: 20141223063529

It has a light meter and it still works - the selenium cell is located around the rangefinder window. The light meter is responsive to the light but I haven't tested it yet for accuracy.

Reply author: Kievuser

Replied on: 20150105083016

Hello everyone,

A late new year's greeting to you all. I saw this thread that reminds me of a leather case for my Kiev-5. I don't remember ever seeing another one over the years. I am wondering if it was made for a special Kiev 5 camera? Has anyone seen, or owned a camera with the same case?

Kind regards,

zhang

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/512015_55571_1220947950.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/512015_55571_1220947950.jpg

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20150105151000

Hello Zhang!
This case is from Kiev 5's early batch but the name is embossed in the front. The plate is an aftermarket modification.
Regards
LP

Reply author: Kievuser

Replied on: 20150107101623

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Luiz Paracampo
 Hello Zhang!
This case is from Kiev 5's early batch but the name is embossed in the front. The plate is an aftermarket modification.
Regards
LP
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hi LP,

Thanks for your input. So the plate is a rare collectable item.[:D]

Cheers,

Zhang

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20150108164914

For some reason I feel the plate is not original
Regards
LP

Reply author: jed

Replied on: 20150108171228

It may be not original but it looks very well done !