(aka Commie Contax)
For those of the Proletariat that cannot afford Leica, we can still experience excellence!
These are my current workhorse cameras. Pictured on
the left is a Kiev 4A with a Jupiter 11 f4 135mm telephoto and multi-focal
length turret finder. The lens has a Kodak 40.5mm to Series VI filter
adapter and a Tiffen Series "6-A" lens hood. On the right is a Kiev
4 (with built in selenium meter) and it is set up in "street shooter" configuration
with Jupiter 12 f2.8 35mm lens, Tiffen Series VI adapter ring and Tiffen
Series VI Wide-angle lens hood along with a 35mm fixed length viewfinder.
After I stopped photographing in 1992 I shedded most of my professional level equipment. In February 2003 I pulled out my Kiev 4A (camera on left) and overhauled the shutter and started taking pictures again. It was built in 1961 at Kiev Arsenal in Ukraine and came with a Jupiter 8M lens. Since then I added to the arsenal a Jupiter 11 135mm, Jupiter 9 85mm and Jupiter 12 35mm lenses. I also picked up a multi-focal length viewfinder fixed viewfinders for 35mm and 85mm. As part of a deal for the Jupiter 11 I also got a broken Kiev 4, which I ultimately got shutter parts for and rebuilt. I use this as kind of a backup camera.
The large front element on the Jupiter 9. This lens is a classic Carl Zeiss Sonnar, but made at KMZ in 1953. Great portrait lens.
After I stopped photographing in 1992 I shedded most of my professional level equipment. In February 2003 I pulled out my Kiev 4A (camera on left) and overhauled the shutter and started taking pictures again. It was built in 1961 at Kiev Arsenal in Ukraine and came with a Jupiter 8M lens. Since then I added to the arsenal a Jupiter 11 135mm, Jupiter 9 85mm and Jupiter 12 35mm lenses. I also picked up a multi-focal length viewfinder fixed viewfinders for 35mm and 85mm. As part of a deal for the Jupiter 11 I also got a broken Kiev 4, which I ultimately got shutter parts for and rebuilt. I use this as kind of a backup camera.
I firmly believe in using lens hoods. All of the Jupiter
series lenses for Kiev/Contax mount cameras are based on pre-WWII Carl Zeiss
lenses, but made in the former USSR. All of the examples I have are
coated and I have never experienced flare with them. However, I do
use filters when shooting black & white film so why risk catastrophe?
On the left is a Jupiter 8M f2 50mm with Tiffen #603 Series VI adapter
ring and Kodak Series VI lens hood. On right is a Jupiter 9 f2 85mm
with 50mm slip on to Series VII adapter ring and a large Kodak Series
VII lens hood.
The large front element on the Jupiter 9. This lens is a classic Carl Zeiss Sonnar, but made at KMZ in 1953. Great portrait lens.
Showing the built-on selenium meter controls and scale on
my Kiev 4. Also note the TIffen Series VI wide-angle lens hood. The
Jupiter 12 f2.8 35mm is my "normal" lens, and I usually have it on my Kiev
4A with the turret finder. Most of my shooting is either in tight confines
of people, or of large areas outdoors. This lens is based on the pre-WWII
Zeiss Biogon.
Before getting the Jupiter 12 and finders I used to use
my Kiev 4A with a modern Sekonic
L-208 Twinmate meter on the accessory mount. This is a precision
instrument, yet is small enough to drop into a pocket. It came with
a plastic accessory shoe. Some have criticized it as being toy-like,
but it has proven it's ruggedness. This is my most used meter owing
to it's compact size and accuracy. If I am using my Rolleiflex or Kiev
60 TTL then I usually use a (discontinued) Gossen Luna Lux SBC with a
spot meter attachment.
OFF-SITE LINKS (automatically open a new window):
Keith Berry's website has a nice article on the Kiev rangefinders and an online manual in English.
Matt Denton's page on the Kiev 4, with more good links toward the bottom.
Zeiss Historica Society online article about how Contax wound up in Kiev.
OFF-SITE LINKS (automatically open a new window):
Keith Berry's website has a nice article on the Kiev rangefinders and an online manual in English.
Matt Denton's page on the Kiev 4, with more good links toward the bottom.
Zeiss Historica Society online article about how Contax wound up in Kiev.