They just keep turning up

[Deleted]

Got word that a friend is sending me a Contax IIa--1953 manufacture date, I believe. It even has been CLA'd recently. I'm pretty much obligated to shoot a little film now. Should arrive at the end of this week.
Wayne

[Michael Fraley]

Consider yourself lucky! I look at them and their dubious cousins, the Kievs, regularly on eBay and elsewhere. Be sure to let us know how you like it. I had a Kiev 4a that was entertaining but I passed it on as it had one too many flaws. Of course the Contax should be more reliable, especially after a CLA. I think I have seller's regret, though, as I promise myself another Kiev someday. I can't quite justify the cost of a Contax, though. Well I can justify it, but only if I decide that anything goes!

[Deleted]

I have three Kiev 4As of various years. The build doesn't compare even to the early Contax II . I had a Contax II from 1937 for some time but I'm told the postwar IIas have a better build. I'm getting this camera because I going to sell two later Contax IIs on the on-line auction for the owner.

Wayne

[dee]

I loved using a 1979 Kiev 4 and 1981 K 4m from Oleg a fine ex-USSR dealer who checks and CLA all his cameras .
It works exquisitely despite the poor build and finish .
I genuinely think that a pre 1955 Kiev is of excellent quality , they dropped of rapidly in the later 50s .
However , they are much maligned 'cos they are 50 years old and have often been abused and butchered in back street workshops . Few have seen a service or any TLC in decades
My 1951 and 1952 Kiev IIs are of comparable quality to my Contax III . [ Steve Ash , a retired repairer in UK confirms that the mechanics are equally fine .]
The 1951 is CLA and is why I have dee'cided to create my own special collection as a comfort zone from ASD . It's quiet , smooth , dee'lightful !
It's my perfect camera . That simple .

I am cheating on my K 4s - one with scrap genuine Contax body , [ meter spares donor ] the other with a reasonable 1947 Kiev IIIa .
Both have early broken Kiev 4 tops with working meters from the second year of production [ when they still cared ! ] So the quality issues of the body are addressed - the top plates have crisper engraving and better chrome that later K 4 , and can be polished to match the bodes .
The K 4s in themselves are rare as they have a Contax IIIa copy meter cover without ridges which were added presumably 'cos they dinted easily
[ one has dints ] I love the Kiev 4 with compact meter , hence these two indulgences .

The post war IIa is undoubtedly a ' better ' camera , but a rebuilt prewar Contax or early Kiev is a fine instrument ... my Contax IIi had to go back 'cos it needed another part for the meter , I bought a scrap C III just for this .
It is a superb camera ... so Art Deco , I can't wait for it's return - with fully working meter .

Until recently , a Kiev II or III was a cheaper alternative to a Contax , but Contax prices have dropped , and Kiev IIs , risen , so that it is possible to buy a broken Contax II / III and have it CLA for about the same outlay . Controversially , Kiev parts can keep it alive without sacrificing a complete camera as spares .
My Contax II has been built from a dismantled camera with shutter and various parts missing . It will have a later Kiev shutter , silver paint and tan leather .
In total it was £110 . The Arsenal techs even suggest a late Kiev shutter as newer and potentially more reliable .

A Kiev IIa / IIIa with CLA will be about £120 , a Kiev II about £150 . For that considerable outlay you will receive a classic camera which will provide years of enjoyment . Especially with optional special Leather covering LOL ...

Presumably , my Kontaxes will be valueless , so I cannot be forced to sell them on , just to eat .

Am I going to use my new toys ? You bet - perfect complement to my M 8 .

Have fun with the IIa .

[Deleted]

I have run a couple of rolls throught the Contax IIa. I have shot almost entirely DSLR--mostly autofocus--for the past couple of years. Focusing the Contax is difficult--especially since I wear glasses.

I also have a Contax IIa right now that I'm selling for the owner. Body looks almost new and the meter actually works. The F1.5 lens has some sort of spot back on one of the elements toward the rear. Don't know it it effects picture quality. I guess I'll have to run a test roll and see.

There was a Kiev II "no name" that had a blank spot where the name goes. Allegedly was made almost entirely with German parts liberated by the Russians from German factories. Most of them ended up in the U.S.--probably had no name because they didn't want to scare off buyers with a Russian name. I've seen several obviously fake No Name Kievs offered by Russian sellers.

Wayne

[nikonbob]

Wayne

Congrats on the Contax, I must have missed this thread while on holidays. The only 35mm format lens that I ever could say personally had a distinct signature/character was the 50/1.5 Zeiss Sonnar. I just love that lens, too bad it is a 50 and not a 35.

Bob

[dee]

The No-name cameras were 1963 Kiev 4a - destined for the USA in the height of the Cold War , where everything 'Commie ' was a no no .
They go for $250 or more . Sometimes the collectors market is a joke - you could buy a proper camera for that money !
As you say , what's in a new chromed face plate any 1963 K 4a is fair game .
The cameras coming into UK through TOE were all standard , but were substantially checked before selling .
A UK sourced Kiev 4 / 4a is a selected camera - I have an as new 1976 K 4a , box , UK passport and Manual .
It's still rough and ready - but has history for me .

My 1st film roll for many decades was in Sept 2006 - with my twin Fed 1g ' Leicas ' . Then a few more with the Kiev 4 / 4m which just blew me away . Like coming home . Daft I guess . But ASdee is so dee'sruptive , I will cling to anything remotely ' real ' . Film and Contax is comparitively new to me too .

I used Minoltas for decades , but Contax is just so much more .. solid .. for me .

Frankly , I would be fine with Digital , but can't resist picking up a Kontax ...