Very early Kiev 4

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

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

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

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

Here is from mine Kiev 4

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

Great !

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

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.

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.

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.

Interesting, my camera also has the defect logotype on the front plate.

Ulrich

http://fotos.cconin.de

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