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Kamerastore Digital Database

Kiev 4 - Camera

Kiev 4 - Camera

Manual focus 35mm Contax/Kiev mount rangefinder camera produced in the Soviet Union from 1947-1987. Produced in Kiev, Ukraine based on plans for the Contax III acquired during World War II. Many slight variants exist as the design was improved over time. Has a built-in light meter. Metal body available in silver.

  • Shutter: Vertical metal focal plane, 1/2s - 1/1250s + B
  • ISO range: 22 - 250 (GOST)
  • Size: 140 x 82 x 44 mm
  • Weight: 564g
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Contax/Kiev

After Leica’s success with their 35mm rangefinder cameras, optical manufacturer Carl Zeiss wanted a piece of the pie. They introduced their Contax rangefinder in 1932, immediately making themselves the leaders in photographic technology in Germany.

The Contax rangefinders featured a combined rangefinder/viewfinder decades before Leica competitors, and also featured a vertical metal focal plane shutter decades before this would become standard. Contax rangefinders also feature a dual bayonet lens system with an internal and external bayonet for different focal lengths.

After World War II, the Soviet Union seized the Zeiss Ikon plants in Dresden as well as Leica factories. They began to produce their own versions of the popular Leica and Contax rangefinders with looser machining tolerances. The Contax rangefinders were replicated in Kiev, Ukraine.

Because of this, there are many Soviet lenses available for the system on top of offerings from German companies like Carl Zeiss, Hugo Meyer, Schneider-Kreuznach, and Voigtländer.


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Kiev 4 - Camera Availability & Price History
Date Sold SKU Quality Control Price Image
07 Nov 2023 T56011 € 60.00 Kiev 4 - Camera Image
26 Jul 2023 T48918 € 49.00 Kiev 4 - Camera Image
28 Jun 2023 T45218 € 66.30 Kiev 4 - Camera Image
24 Mar 2023 T39503 € 49.00 Kiev 4 - Camera Image
14 Dec 2022 T33743 € 69.00 Kiev 4 - Camera Image
06 Jul 2022 T19018 € 119.00 Kiev 4 - Camera Image
06 Feb 2022 E15932 € 99.00 Kiev 4 - Camera Image