The
Kiev-4m was the last
production Contax III type camera made by Arsenal plant in Kiev (Ukraine).
Together with the Kiev-4am, it was in production till 1987, when Zavod
Arsenal finally ended the glorious line of Contax copies.
Contax design was so solid, it
was hard to improve. So the engineers of Arsenal plant could only introduce
some cosmetic changes to the Kiev-4. They made it look more modern - the
shutter and rewind knobs became black, and a crank was added to the rewind
button. The camera was also equipped with a new, faster lens - Helios-103,
53/1.8. The lens is a great performer and has a very nice and smooth aperture
dial with click-stops. Another improvement was a hot shoe; a PC socket
was still on its usual place. The camera had a new, built-it take-up spool
and a redesigned transport disconnect. In order to rewind film, you have
to turn one of the bottom plate lock levers. And finally, these last Kievs
came with a handsome, modern black leather case with a plastic hard nose.
- Shutter speeds: B, 1/2 - 1/1000.
- Lens: Helios-103, Coated, F
= 53 mm, 1:1.8 (aperture settings from 1.8 to 22).
This Kiev-4m was made in 1984.
The camera is in exc. condition, it shows little
use. The RF is clear
and sharp, the lens is clean and clear. The shutter
is working on all speeds, the meter and self-timer are operational.
The camera comes with a lenscap.
As well as any Soviet Contax copy,
the Kiev-4m is a rugged and precision camera, equipped with a great lens.
It is capable of taking advantage of the modern films, and is simply a
great fun to use.
? 2008
fedka.com
Text and photograph