Early KIEV III (also see "Another Addict"

You mean IIa.... :)

No only one Bill. As I said in the previous post I stumbled across it on the web. In fact it was part of an article on these cameras which is where I learned of the GOI Institute. The author reckoned these cameras were made in 1960/61 as they were required and he said approximately 15 were produced.....mind you don't know how he knew that. My example is Nr 6006343.

But I am now totally convinced that these cameras are not Ukrainian jokes. Who reckons collecting is a bore?

I quite agree re the leather covering, it is obviously the original. When I took the back off mine it had two brass cassettes in it, have to find them they are in a drawer somewhere.

Vlad,

Looks like a Kiev 4a (type 1 ... produced 1958-1974 ... top entry, page 209 Princelle 2nd edition) Like the No-Name Kiev pictured, but with name and no self-timer, no rangefinder interior parts, and no synch plug. Kiev 4a type 1 still has the squared off front lens-plate, while 4a type two has an angled-down front lens-plate.

Regards, Bill

Just noticed Pegorari's example is Nr 6001918 so the article saying 1960/61 might be right.

Cheers,

Brian.

Bryan,

Please post a link if you ever find the article again as I would like to read it and see who wrote it. I will do the same if I find it. I have a special interest in the GOI (Vavilov State Optical Institute) as I have a small collection of prototype lenses made by them.

It sounds like a plausible explanation for these cameras, especially if the article was written by someone who worked at GOI - Arsenal or has first-hand knowledge.

Regards, Bill

Bryan, Vlad, and everyone,

It appears that the answer may be that it was a medical camera. Here is a link to a full kit with the camera we have been discussing.

Once you get the page that the link brings you to, look on the list on the left side and click "Kiev 4a Medical Kit".

http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/collect/arsenal/arsenal.htm

From the looks of this kit, it appears to be for a microscope or some type of medical scope, sort of like the Zenit Labo.

Regards, Bill

Bill the more I think about it the more I am coming to the conclusion that I might have found the picture and info on Ebay.

Interesting re DVD. I have looked at that page dozens of times and never noticed the 'Medical;' thing. But very very interesting.

I have bought many cameras from DVD and had at one time quite a rapporte with Yuz Kuz Min. In fact is this a name, a nickname or what? Yuri Davidenko who was alwys referred to as " The President" seemed to be away a lot. My wife use to reckon he was off shaking the Baboushkas down for their dead husbands Kievs and Yuz Kus Min spent all his time selling them......to me:)

But I haven't bought any for some 3/4 years. cameras I want seem to be very rarely available, in fact the number of Kievs of any sort on Ebay seem to have dwinded. Have you bought them all?



Brian

Just read this old thread. The mentioned camera without self-timer, rangefinder and flash synchronization is indeed "medical Kiev". I have quite rare Kiev IIa version of this camera with the serial number 582872. The bayonet contains slip-in microscope adapter ring.