Early Kеiv 4

An early Kiev 4 entered the collection. 1957. The first release, described in the book 1200 cameras of the USSR. I didn't think I'd ever see him live.The delivery device has problems. Long exposures didn't work. A little preventive maintenance and he’s up and running.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2422024_kiev-4-1-1-1.png

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2422024_kiev-4-1-1-1.png

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2422024_P6240019.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2422024_P6240019.JPG

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http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2422024_P6240020.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2422024_P6240022.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2422024_P6240022.JPG

Hi Denn,

Congratulations! Although usually the earliest 57 model has no ridges on the top of the meter housing, it should be smooth top. Seems like this is probably a later in the year model already with regular top (based on 576xxx serial). Even though I saw the 58 with such smooth top, it was probably still mixed into the "basket" during the assembly line. I wonder if anyone here knows what is the earlier the "T" ridges on top of the housing show up in the serial numbers.

Best regards,
Vlad

Denn,

nice find. But as Vlad wrote earlier have no ridges on the top, and the earliest ones have only 5 digits serial number.
My earliest has number 57203 and no ridges.
Another one without ridges has number 5802732, which are seven digits. Yours has only 6 digits, is from 1957 and has the ridges. A bit strange :-)

Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de

Hi, Ulrich. V.P.Suglob described in his catalog exactly the model with a 6-digit number, and have ridges on the top. Take a closer look at the photos in his catalogue. But I think, based on my modest knowledge, that in 1957, with the transition from Kiev II/III to Kiev IV, remnants from previous series went into production. It is possible that the serial numbers that year did not have any order or logic at all. I still cannot get a clear answer to these questions. I fully admit that the first Kyiv IV 1957 could have been produced in several varieties in parallel. The 1958 version is sold on the Avito website. As you can see, it also has no stiffeners and a 7-digit number. And these are not isolated cases. I came across both 1958 versions with and without stiffeners

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2522024_1.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2522024_1.JPG

and 1958 6-digit

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2522024_2.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2522024_2.JPG

If there are real photos of the first Kyiv IV 1957 without synchronous contact and with a folding heel like the Kiev II/III, please provide it. I haven't seen one. Until today, I only knew about its existence from Victor’s catalog.

And finally, a riddle. I have already met about ten such specimens. and all were from 195х. What is this? There is no description in any catalogue.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2522024_4.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2522024_4.JPG

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http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2522024_6.JPG

Best regards, Denn.

That is not a Kiev 4 but a real Kiev 3 (not 3A) with an upgraded top.
I had a friend who bought one of the first series of Kiev 4 directly in Russia. he was gone there to study a cooperation of progress at Juscelino Kubishek Government in order to develop tractor and cars fqctory. At that time I was close to Zeiss Oberkochen representatives in Rio de Janeiro and was really intrigued by the close resemblance of the new Kiev with the Contax IIIa.
Regards

The camera was already synchronized .
This camera at the book is also an hybrid once 3A was already synchronized but was contemporary sold with model 3 and it was no reason to tepeat such in the following series.

Another important fact is the plain exposure meter plate that denotes a muh later production

The more I dive into the topic of Kiev II/II/IV, the more questions arise...