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Kiev 4 Proserie

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Printed on: 5/31/2026 10:21:25 PM


Topic

Topic author: Michel

Posted on: 20080603115753

Hi all,

I just put in Wiki a newly bought Kiev 4.
As you can see, the lightmeter has <font color="red"><b>no</b></font id="red"> edges of rigidity.

Has anybody any information about this?

Many thanks to all of you.

Best regards,
Michel.


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMGP0362 - copie.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMGP0362 - copie.JPG

Replies

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080603223604

Hi Michel,

I am not so sure we can call this preseries, this is just an early variation if the difference would be missing embossed lines on the top bezel.. Quite a few camera have their differences in the first year compared to later production... unless someone objects I will rename this entry to "early version".

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080603223709

Also serial # seems to be in the regular production range, although first year, but fairly late 5000-something is probably not a preseries anymore if there ever was one..

Reply author: okynek

Replied on: 20080603230420

This quiet unusual modification by may opinion.
This part is made from sheet of metal using mold and punch press.
Mold is expensive part to make. So if mold was finished then should exist many cameras with same cover. But AFAIK this is the only camera to date with such cover surfaced.
So possibly mold was not finished and it was used to make one or more try-out runs to see how cover fit to the camera. After try-outs mold usually go for final adjustments.
IMHO cover on this camera possibly came from such try-out.
Could be and other possibilities.
Great collector's camera to have!

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080603234923

Agreed, but question is can it be called preseries?

Reply author: mermoz37

Replied on: 20080604023205

heeeep !
i possess the same Kiev ...(Michel saw it ...but HE is here THE specialist !)
i wander he ahd you can explain that [:)]

(by the way , I have two fed 2 whith a "A" prefix serial number....why ????)

Reply author: Michel

Replied on: 20080604024134

Hi Alain,

Maybe could you give the s/n of yours?
I think it could help.

And, by the way, I'm <font color="red">NOT</font id="red"> the specialist here.
I'm learning, [8)] and this place is the best place for that!

Regards,
Michel.

Reply author: Michel

Replied on: 20080604024411

Vlad,

Thanks for changing the name of the entry.
It can even be changed again if necessary.[:)][:)]

Regards,
Michel.

Reply author: mermoz37

Replied on: 20080604031653

I would say "here" in our small provincial country....not "all over the world" !!![:D]

So, mine is : 591074

Reply author: Michel

Replied on: 20080604054509

Alain,many thanks for the correction.
"our small provincial country", OK.
10 square kilometers……[:D][:D][:D]

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080604113434

Wow the numbers are very far apart, I'm started to think maybe a possible repair job with spare parts that were made either before or after the series...

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080705152239

Hi!

If anyone is interested in early Kiev-4 (type-1) camera, see the link below:

[url] http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290243176021&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=019 [/url]

Best regards,
Aidas

Reply author: Bull Halsey

Replied on: 20080706152520

For what it's worth, I too have an early Kiev iV, # 5804306, but it has the partitions.

Steve

Reply author: Michel

Replied on: 20080708163855

What about the screws on each side of the lightmeter ???
[?][?][?]

Reply author: Bull Halsey

Replied on: 20080708165600

There are two screws on each side of the meter.

Steve

Reply author: nightphoto

Replied on: 20080708170107

The brass screws on the camera on Ebay appear to be replacement screws. Probably this meter housing has been disassembled and the original screws lost, so replacements added.

Regards, Bill

Reply author: Michel

Replied on: 20081122092113

Hi all,
I found another Kiev 4 "early version" with no top edges on the lightmeter.S/n # 593947.

So we have for now here :
s/n # 58 05356 (Michel's)
s/n # 59 1074 (Alain's)
s/n # 59 3947 (Michel's)

(No competiton betwween Alain and me !! [:D])

Which conclusions ?…

Regards.

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20081122104426

Hi Michel,

could I join your honourable company with my early Kiev-4 #57 1478? [:D][:D][:D] btw my camera comes without edges either ... [:)]

Best Regards,
Aidas

Reply author: Michel

Replied on: 20081122111701

Hi Aidas,

You are welcome !![:D][:D][:D]

Reply author: Michel

Replied on: 20081122112353

Aidas,
I add your K4 to the list I made in the Wiki entry.

Regards,
Michel.[:)]

Reply author: Michel L

Replied on: 20081122114250

Hello everyone,
I have the same Kiev as Michel's (it's the only one Kiev I own)
serial N° is: 5804953
So it doesn't seem to be a rare model?

Beginner collector

Reply author: Michel

Replied on: 20081122120503

Hi Michel L.,

If you do'nt mind, I add your Kiev in the Wiki entry.
And… be very careful… Kiev addiction is a terrible disease !![:D][:D]

Reply author: dee

Replied on: 20081123173943

Hi
I am new here , but recently , I saw a Kiev 4 on e-bay without the meter cap ridges .
It was not working , but I had to have it .
On arrival , it is in really well worn condition with poor paint / leather and interior with busted shutter .Lovely black lined case though , and raesonably clean J 8 from the same year .
BUT I do not regret paying to have it shipped for USA to Uk , it was too cheap to attract duty !
The number is 5804172 .
dee

Reply author: Michel

Replied on: 20081124041400

Hello dee,

Thanks.
I add your Kiev to the Wiki entry.

Regards,
Michel.

Reply author: dee

Replied on: 20090203115736

Hi Guys -
I have just seen a poor Kiev 4 1957 , with no ridges no 57 1131 .
If the vendor will drop to a sensible price it would be good to add to my '57 and '' normal '' '59 . I also have a 56 and 57 Kiev III a ... now I need a ' 58 and ' 59 !

Unless a '56 turns up , I would stop at these !

These may prejudice my Enigmas [ separate post though - can't afford them all !

dee