Kiev-2
The Kiev-2 is a Soviet 35 mm rangefinder camera produced by the Arsenal factory between 1947 and 1955. It is based on the Contax II design and differs from the Kiev-3 by the absence of a built-in selenium light meter.
Kiev-2 Specifications
- Type: 35 mm rangefinder camera
- Manufacturer: Arsenal factory
- Production period: 1947–1955
- Format: 24×36 mm on 135 film
- Lens mount: Kiev/Contax RF mount
- Lens: Jupiter-8 50 mm f/2 or Jupiter-3 50 mm f/1.5
- Rangefinder base: 90 mm
- Shutter: vertical-travel focal-plane shutter with metal curtains and speeds from 1/2 to 1/1250 sec., plus B
- Viewfinder: optical viewfinder combined with a coupled rangefinder
- Light meter: none
- Flash synchronization: none
- Self-timer: mechanical
- Weight: 710 grams
Kiev-2 Overview
The Kiev-2, also known as the Kiev-II, is a classic Soviet rangefinder produced between 1947 and 1955. It was based on the German Contax II camera manufactured by Zeiss Ikon. The Kiev-2 is fully mechanical and does not feature a built-in exposure meter.
As is well known, the Soviet Union often used developments from other countries when creating its own cameras. In some cases, these were direct copies, such as the Zorki-1 or Moskva-1, while in others they involved less obvious borrowings of ideas from German and Japanese engineers.
However, the case of the Kiev rangefinder cameras is unusual, as they were neither conventional copies nor entirely original Soviet designs.
The Kiev-2 is essentially a Soviet-produced continuation of the prewar Contax II.
After World War II, Contax manufacturing equipment, tooling, documentation, parts, and a group of German specialists were transferred from Dresden to the Soviet Union as reparations. Production was subsequently established at the Arsenal factory in Kyiv.
Beginning in 1947, the Contax II and the meter-equipped Contax III were produced under the names Kiev-II and Kiev-III, respectively.
Although these cameras were produced in the Soviet Union rather than Germany, the early models largely retained the high manufacturing standards of the original Contax system and were valued by photographers for their reliability and functionality.
Kiev-2 Mount and Lenses
The lenses of the Kiev-II camera, as well as those of other Kiev rangefinder models produced at the Arsenal factory, are mounted to the body using the Contax/Kiev RF bayonet mount.
Because the Kiev-2 retained the Contax RF bayonet, it can use not only Soviet lenses produced for the Kiev system, but also compatible original Carl Zeiss lenses designed for Contax rangefinder cameras.
To mount a standard lens, the camera’s focusing mount must first be set to infinity. After that, align the red mark on the lens with the corresponding mark on the mount, insert the lens, and rotate it until it locks into place.
When a standard 50 mm lens is mounted in the internal bayonet, focusing is performed using the helicoid built into the camera body. Wide-angle and longer-focal-length lenses use the external bayonet and are focused using mechanisms built into the lenses themselves.
Commonly available lenses for the Kiev-II system cover focal lengths from 35 mm to 135 mm. They were produced with various maximum apertures, which affect low-light performance and depth of field control.
Depending on the production year, the standard lens for the Kiev-II could be the Jupiter-3 50 mm f/1.5 or the Jupiter-8 50 mm f/2. Both lenses can deliver very high image quality when properly adjusted and in good condition. The system also includes a range of wide-angle and telephoto lenses that maintain a similarly high optical standard.
Kiev-2 Shutter
The shutter used in the Kiev-II, as well as other early Kiev rangefinder cameras, is fully mechanical and located inside the camera body. It consists of vertically traveling metal shutter curtains that control the exposure time. Unlike many Soviet rangefinder cameras, Kiev rangefinders use a vertical-travel metal shutter.
When the shutter release button is pressed, the shutter opens and allows light to reach the film. The length of time it remains open determines the exposure and is controlled by the selected shutter speed.
The Kiev-II offers shutter speeds from 1/2 to 1/1250 second, plus Bulb mode. Shutter speeds are selected using the combined winding and shutter-speed knob located on the top plate.
This shutter-speed range was exceptionally advanced not only for the Soviet photographic industry of the late 1940s and early 1950s, but also by international standards.
For comparison, many Soviet cameras of the same period offered maximum shutter speeds of only 1/500 second and often lacked the same combination of high-speed and slow-speed settings.
The Bulb setting also allows long exposures for low-light photography, astrophotography, and other situations where extended exposure times are required.
Kiev-2 Body
The Kiev-2 is built to a remarkably high standard, which becomes immediately apparent as soon as you pick it up.
It is constructed almost entirely of metal, and the lower part of the body is covered with genuine leather rather than the artificial leather used on many later Kiev models. Although the camera has fairly angular lines, it remains comfortable to hold.
The exceptionally wide 90 mm rangefinder base—one of the longest found on a 35 mm rangefinder camera—provides outstanding focusing accuracy. This is complemented by a large, bright viewfinder with a high-contrast rangefinder patch.
One minor drawback is that the right rangefinder window sits exactly where your fingers naturally rest, so the camera is best held using the traditional Contax-style grip.
The rear section of the camera is removable, allowing access to the film chamber and the removable take-up spool.
On the bottom plate are two rotating locking tabs used to remove the back, along with a centrally positioned tripod socket for tripod-mounted photography.
Ease of Use
By modern standards, the Kiev-II cannot be described as especially convenient, and there are several reasons for that.
- Instead of a film advance lever, the camera uses a winding knob. It works well but is noticeably slower during continuous shooting.
- The right rangefinder window is easy to cover with your fingers unless the camera is held using the traditional Contax-style grip.
- Changing shutter speeds requires cocking the shutter first, lifting the winding knob, rotating it to the desired setting, and lowering it again.
- Film loading is less convenient than on later hinged-back cameras because the entire rear section must be removed and the film leader inserted into the removable take-up spool.
- When focusing, the entire front section of the standard lens rotates together with the aperture scale, so the aperture markings do not always remain in the same position.
But do these inconveniences make the Kiev-II a bad camera?
Not at all.
The camera was originally designed in the 1930s, when it represented one of the most advanced and user-friendly 35 mm rangefinder cameras available. Today, its quirks are simply characteristics of a classic mechanical camera rather than serious drawbacks.
After shooting a few rolls of film, operating the Kiev-II quickly becomes second nature. Once you become familiar with its controls, using the camera is both intuitive and enjoyable.
Image Quality
Now let’s take a closer look at the Kiev-2’s strongest qualities.
The Kiev-2, like most other rangefinder cameras produced by the Arsenal factory (with the exception of the Kiev-5), represents one of the finest examples of Soviet camera manufacturing. Early cameras, in particular, were built to an exceptionally high standard.
The build quality is excellent, the lenses are capable of producing sharp, attractive images, and the camera offers an impressive range of shutter speeds. Combined with its 90 mm rangefinder base, the Kiev-2 delivers extremely accurate focusing and remains a pleasure to use even today.
These are only a few of the reasons why the Kiev-II continues to be appreciated by film photographers. Considering its relatively modest price on today’s second-hand market, it remains one of the best values among classic rangefinder cameras.
Conclusion
The Kiev-II, like the rest of the early Arsenal rangefinder family, remains one of the finest Soviet film cameras ever produced. Even today, it offers a unique combination of outstanding mechanical quality, excellent lenses, and a remarkably sophisticated shutter design.
Although it requires a little more patience than modern cameras, its precise rangefinder, durable all-metal construction, and wide selection of compatible lenses make it an excellent choice for anyone interested in classic film photography.
If you are looking for an affordable mechanical rangefinder with outstanding build quality and genuine historical significance, the Kiev-2 remains one of the strongest options available.
Kiev-2 Sample Photos
