Re: [Leica] Contax/Kiev

[Stephen <cameras@jetlink.net>]

the Kiev 5 is indeed a very interesting and relatively unknown camera, but it is
also a rare camera, even in Russia.

the lever advance also has a reputation for being less than reliable.

Stephen Gandy

Mark Langer wrote:

> Let me add to the answers about the Contax and Kiev a suggestion that
> people seek out a nice Kiev 5.  This has many of the virtues of the
> earlier Contaxes and Kievs (except for the neat focus wheel on the body)
> and adds to them a wonderfully contrasty rangefinder with parallax-compensated
> bright line finder, with bright lines for 50mm and 85mm.  Using the entire
> finder gives you a good, but non-parallax compensated 35mm and the
> rangefinder patch is an adequate 135mm.  The camera is nicely finished and
> has a built-in meter and side-mounted rewind crank.  While the film
> advance is not exactly M Leica smooth, it works well with both lever and
> knob wind - this is the only camera that I can think of with this feature.
>
> The downside is that the camera is somewhat bulkier than the earlier
> Kiev/Contaxes, and not as well balanced in the hand with the 50mm lens
> mounted.  However, it is better balanced with the 85mm f2 mounted.  And I
> can say from experience that it is a joy to use.
>
> The Kiev 5 indicates the direction that Zeiss might have gone in to
> produce a camera more competitive with the M Leica.  Definitely one of the
> great examples of an underrated camera.