Fed 5

Tried three different Russian cameras straight from the Ukraine (see also Keiv 19 and Kiev 35A). Just say NO!

Came packed as a "new in box camera". This one has pretty good fit and finish. Lens is clean, clear and coated. No lightleaks in back. Meter works.

So far so good.

Until I took it out for a shoot. Unfortunately, the shutter is erratic. Six out of 24 frames were ruined and 5 were seriously underexposed. It appears it did not open at all or only for a very short duration and one side would be very overexposed at the edge.Very strange. When the shutter worked properly the exposures were very good. A lot of research later I found out that if you change the shutter speed before advancing the film and cocking the shutter that the speed will be erratic at least for the next frame and possibly for several. This may have been what happened since the instructions were in Russian and I just figured out the camera by inspection and common sense. There are several pages scattered about the web discussing the peculiar nature of these cameras along with the factory's appalling lack of quality control. I'm going to give it a try again after I exercise the shutter and observe its operation.

The lens is reportedly pretty good and the few good exposures I got seem to bear this out. The lens begs for a sunshade but I haven't been able to find any in its 40.5mm diameter.

This camera is like stepping back into an older time. After all, it is an improved copy of a pre-WWII Contax. Cameras have come a long way since then. Almost any of the other rangefinder cameras in my collection will outshoot this one and be infinitely more reliable (except for the Kiev 35A).

Cost: about $50.00 direct from the Ukraine including shipping. I have seen it for sale from retailers on the web for up to $150.00. My advice is to try older Japanese rangefinders that are for sale on ebay. They are more reliable, have faster and sharper lenses and have a much higher level of fit and finish. They can also be won on ebay for less money.

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