Comparing three cameras. Contax II, 35 mm rangefinder camera, made in Germany 1939. Kiev 4, 35 mm rangefinder camera, made in USSR 1959. Kiev 4, 35 mm rangefinder camera, made in USSR 1979.
My Kiev is 1961 vintage and the meter doesn't work, but otherwise it's excellent, and I wouldn't trust the meter anyway. The Helios 53mm f1.8 lens is very good indeed.
@animaluva223 - Quality control slipped over time. Though, from what I hear most late-model Kievs are still good cameras -- but the earlier ones, they are excellent.
Thank you for the presentation. It is very good. Suggest you you use white sterile gloves in the future. I'm a Contax/Kiev fan and enjoy using these cameras. Best regards, Tom
@oooLINDYooo Your typical rangefinder camera is much more compact and lightweight than an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera. The lightest and most compact rangefinder cameras I can think of are the Zorki and the early FED cameras, which are also Soviet copies of a German camera, called the Leica. Those cameras are the smallest rangefinders I can think of. If you need more info, please send me a message.
hello, I am do not know much about cameras so I would hear if you could give me some advice about buing one! I would like a full manual 35mm rangefinder with the ability to focus. And i like it small. Thank you
My Kiev is 1961 vintage and the meter doesn't work, but otherwise it's excellent, and I wouldn't trust the meter anyway. The Helios 53mm f1.8 lens is very good indeed.
mueslimuncher1950 2 weeks ago
Is it weird that I really love Soviet cameras? I have no idea why...
ITSbigwillystyle 2 months ago
siri? is it you?
TheMiszerak 2 months ago 2
@animaluva223 - Quality control slipped over time. Though, from what I hear most late-model Kievs are still good cameras -- but the earlier ones, they are excellent.
paulparanoid 6 months ago
I'm not clear as to why the final Kiev was inferior to the earlier models. Nice presentation, though
animaluva223 1 year ago
Nice overview of these Contax-type cameras. I like the leather gloves. Nice touch.
jburgie 1 year ago
Thank you for the presentation. It is very good. Suggest you you use white sterile gloves in the future. I'm a Contax/Kiev fan and enjoy using these cameras. Best regards, Tom
asahispotmatic 1 year ago
Thank you Thank you! I really like this video and the voice.
I'm thinking of getting the new Zeiss Ikon (batteries).
I certainly wish the Contax (digital and film versions) were still being made.
I just like nice quiet companies thjat make fine things.
Bye Byes!
VALMARIESASK 1 year ago
@oooLINDYooo Your typical rangefinder camera is much more compact and lightweight than an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera. The lightest and most compact rangefinder cameras I can think of are the Zorki and the early FED cameras, which are also Soviet copies of a German camera, called the Leica. Those cameras are the smallest rangefinders I can think of. If you need more info, please send me a message.
TTULangGenius 1 year ago
hello, I am do not know much about cameras so I would hear if you could give me some advice about buing one! I would like a full manual 35mm rangefinder with the ability to focus. And i like it small. Thank you
oooLINDYooo 1 year ago