Kiev 19

[truls]

Not collectible may be, but interesting camera. The serial begins with 86, from 1986? And, it has Nikon F mount, here mounted Nikkor Ai 50/2.0. Non-ai Nikkors mounts as well, I suspect Nikon AF lenses with aperture ring also works. Internal light meter, powered by two silver oxide button cells. In good condition, the shutter is really soft to trigger. All mechanical, the dials an levers operate smooth, stop down metering. Will return with some images in a day or two.

[hannes]

I have one since a few weeks, did not yet run a film through. The meter responds very slow to changes of aperture. It seems a little bit inaccurate.
The diodes on my FM respond quicker to changes. I think I will run the first film through the Kiev with the FM or an external meter as reference side by side.

[truls]

Feb 2, 2015 12:02:11 GMT -5 hannes said:

I have one since a few weeks, did not yet run a film through. The meter responds very slow to changes of aperture. It seems a little bit inaccurate.
The diodes on my FM respond quicker to changes. I think I will run the first film through the Kiev with the FM or an external meter as reference side by side.

Fun you also have the same camera! Dont know the story why Kiev SLR cameras ended up With the Nikon F Mount?

The light meter Works well, and the upper light suggest overexposure, lower light underexposure. When both lights up, exposure is correct. It can be a Challenge in good light to see both lights, as they are kind of dim. Also mounting Non-ai lenss are simpler than on Nikon FM, you do not have to lift the small tab. The viewinder is fairly Bright for a russian camera, also With a 2.8 or 3.5 lens.

[Stephen]

There have been a lot of these as body only on Ebay recently, from Russian sellers. How it got the Nikon mount appears unknown.

[Deleted]

I had a 19 at one time. If I remember correctly Nikon lenses fit the Kiev but the Kiev lens wouldn't fit the Nikon--I believe it was something to do with the cam that controlled the aperture.

[truls]

Out shooting With the Kiev 19 today. In practical use the camera is like a Nikkormat, Heavy, simple, straight forward. However, the light meter is unreliable. The viewfinder is a positive surprise, Bright and easy to focus, good viev of what is in the scene.


Old engine, severe underexposure.


Better exposure this time.


As good as it gets, perhaps.

The Kiev is a Notorious under-exposer. I will judge the exposure myself NeXT ime.

[philbirch]

I've been looking at these, you can get them pretty cheap as body only. Do they have Ai coupling?

[Deleted]

They have a coupling but that one of the areas where my Nikkor lenses wouldn't connect properly if I remember correctly.

[truls]

Kiev 19 lens Mount, seems it only have the locking pin:


Stop Down metering With any fitting lens, original Helios-81A, Nikon Ai, Nikon Non-Ai, Nikon AF lens With aperture ring.

Kiev 19 With Nikkor AF-lens:

[philbirch]

I have been looking....

[hannes]

My Kiev 19 with SKF-1 Stereo Adapter mounted.
The Kiev came from Germany with the original Helios Lens. See my Flickr Album
Did not test the SKF-1 on a film SLR, but with digital the images lack some contrast.
I assume the windows and mirrors need some cleaning.



   Hannes

[philbirch]

I never see these stereo attachments. I want one so bad!!

[lesdmess]

Feb 2, 2015 18:49:58 GMT -5 @wayne said:

I had a 19 at one time. If I remember correctly Nikon lenses fit the Kiev but the Kiev lens wouldn't fit the Nikon--I believe it was something to do with the cam that controlled the aperture.

My Ricoh Singlex was also a "Nikon mount" - can mount Nikon lenses but the Ricoh F mount lenses won't mount on the Nikon since the "A" opening on the Singlex is slightly wider than the "B" opening on the Nikon as shown below. However, Nikon lenses will mount on the Singlex.  Is the Kiev 19 this way too?

[Stephen]

Feb 15, 2015 11:40:36 GMT -5 philbirch said:

I never see these stereo attachments. I want one so bad!!

There is one on Ebay at the moment......I do not know about it's completeness.
Stephen

[Stephen]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Russian-SKF-1-STEREO-Kit-for-Zenit-Pentax-Fuji-SLR-/121570598796?pt=UK_Photography_CameraLenses_Lens_caps_hoods_adaptors_ET&hash=item1c4e2c1f8c

Reference for the stereo attachment.