Topic: Russian rangefinder best practices

[Urban Hafner]

So, I finally have a working Kiev 4AM. Or so I thought. The first 20 or so frames were advanced OK, but then the film wasn't advanced correctly anymore. After that I remembered reading somewhere that using 36 exposure rolls isn't recommended with the Kiev. However I couldn't find that on the net anymore ... Also now that I have one russian camera why not have a FED 2 also? After having cleaned the lens I'm now ready to give it a try. Are there any things to remember with those cameras? Here's what I could come up with:

• Don't use 36 exposure rolls (Kiev) (?)
• Always cock the shutter before changing the shutter speed

Urban

[Francois]

As far as I know, that's about it...

[Urban Hafner]

And as I just found out: If you have problems with the film not advancing in your Kiev camera and it's because the sprockets are not turning make sure the pin that disengages the sprockets (to allow you to rewind the film) can move freely. This wasn't the case in my Kiev 4AM just now and the sprockets only turned now and then.

Urban

PS: Really, really no 36 exposure rolls? Too bad as I have about 30 rolls of 36 exposures in my fridge :/

[Urban Hafner]

While we're on that topic. Is it possible to buy 12 or 24 exposure rolls? I can get them at my drug store, but it would be nice if I could get brand name film, too.

Urban

[Pete_R]

While we're on that topic. Is it possible to buy 12 or 24 exposure rolls? I can get them at my drug store, but it would be nice if I could get brand name film, too.

Urban

I buy 24 exposure XP2.

[Ed Wenn]

Weird, I've never had a single problem with any of my Soviet RFs...certainly no sprocket problems with the 120 format RF that I own - heh heh  

Seriously though, I've had a couple of 35mm Feds and some Zorkis and they've all been fine. Never heard the '30 exposures only' rule before either.

BTW, there's never a bad time to whip out a photo of the rather wonderful looking Zorki 10 (which I used to own). It's a copy of a Ricoh if I remember correctly....love those lines!

Photo courtesy of http://www.funkygoods.com/cccp/z_10.htm

[Andrea.]

I must say I use 36 exp in my Kievs. Sure they can overlap sometimes but I like that. The  Zorki is just fine though

[sapata]

Weird, I've never had a single problem with any of my Soviet RFs...certainly no sprocket problems with the 120 format RF that I own - heh heh  

Seriously though, I've had a couple of 35mm Feds and some Zorkis and they've all been fine. Never heard the '30 exposures only' rule before either.

BTW, there's never a bad time to whip out a photo of the rather wonderful looking Zorki 10 (which I used to own). It's a copy of a Ricoh if I remember correctly....love those lines!

Photo courtesy of http://www.funkygoods.com/cccp/z_10.htm

Ed... I own one of those beauty, (shame I can't post any picture since my monitor is dead..) but I've never used ! It's a very sturdy camera and I love the design, shame it hasn't a manual setting. I don't know if the selenium is still working but I can see the needle moving according to the light condition. Have you ever used yours ? Any tips ?

[Francois]

PS: Really, really no 36 exposure rolls? Too bad as I have about 30 rolls of 36 exposures in my fridge :/

if you have a bulk loader and some empty cassettes, you could always re-spool each bobbin into 12/34 exposure rolls

[Urban Hafner]

I must say I use 36 exp in my Kievs. Sure they can overlap sometimes but I like that. The  Zorki is just fine though

Hm. I guess I'll give it another try then. Further search on the next turned up the following tips for the Kiev:

• Once loaded, use the rewind to take up all the slack, then don't touch the rewind again until the roll is  finished.
• Advance the film in two stages. You can feel the midpoint. Pause there, then wind the rest of the way.

Let's see how that works out for me.

Urban

[Urban Hafner]

Weird, I've never had a single problem with any of my Soviet RFs...certainly no sprocket problems with the 120 format RF that I own - heh heh  

Well, I guess I must have gotten the one bad copy then

Urban

[Terry]

I've been told (and the 3 Kiev MF cameras I've owned tended to verify this) that the hallmark of the Arsenal factory was inconsistency.  I've got a shelf of Feds and Zorkis and they all work rather consistently (if not always perfectly).  I think maybe the standards of finish at KMZ were a bit higher...

[Urban Hafner]

And apparently the Kiev 4AM that I have seems to have the worst quality control of all of them. Anyway, I was able to successfully wind a whole 36 exposure roll using the two rules stated above so that gives me hope.

Urban

[Terry]

And it doesn't hurt if you do this in front of a bust of Lenin...