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Kamerastore Digital Database

Kiev 5 - Camera

Kiev 5 - Camera

35mm manual focus rangefinder Contax/Kiev mount camera released by Kiev in 1968. Substantially upgraded version of the Kiev 4 rangefinder. Commercially a failure, ~10000 cameras were made. Does use the Contax/Kiev lens mount, but does not have a internal helicoid for the standard 50mm lenses, making them incompatible. Outer bayonet lenses can be used normally. Large finder with 50mm framelines, early versions had parallax correction. Built-in meter with a match needle window on top cover. Shutter is of the old Contax style which has made working versions rare to find. Large amount of variations were made especially in the early production years. Metal body in silver and black finish.

  • Shutter: Vertical metal focal plane, 2s - 1/1000s + B
  • ISO range: 2 - 250
  • Size: 141 x 98 x 49
  • Weight: 734g (w/o lens)
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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 5 - Camera Availability & Price History
Date Sold SKU Quality Control Price Image
12 May 2024 T43879 € 119,00 Kiev 5 - Camera Image
23 Aug 2023 T50853 € 149,00 Kiev 5 - Camera Image