Kiev 19: The Ukranian Beast

2012-08-08 6 12

Some say it is a weak camera, but when I grabbed the Kiev 19, I felt that I could use her like a hammer. Learn more about this camera after the jump!

I bought this camera in Chernivtsi, Ukraine from an old man in a flea market. I didn’t know much about Kiev 19, but the camera was in good shape so I decided to buy it. The price? €12 .

Took a while for me to learn how to work with her, and I was a little discouraged with the first results. But, once I had mastered shooting with her, she showed me what she is capable of.

The Kiev-19 is 35mm SLR camera as produced between 1985-94 by Arsenal factory in Kiev, Ukraine.
This camera came with a Helios-81H MC 50mm f/2, but you can use any Nikon lenses with this camera. The mount system is Nikon Bayonet mount .This lens have aperture up to f/16 setting, ring and scale on the lens.

Shutter speeds: 1/2-1/500+B on the dial in front of the camera.

Film speed range: 25-400 ASA , with the setting beneath the re-wind button. To set, press the small silver button beside it.

Exposure setting: the metering system is automatically turned on by depressing the depth of field preview lever. The exposure is set by adjusting the exposure time and aperture until both the red minus and plus led are lit. Only plus or minus means over and under exposure.

Yes you can use flash, as the Kiev 19 comes with a hotshoe and also a flash PC socket. This camera uses two LR44 batteries. With its metal body, the Kiev 19 is a heavyweight at 911 g.

written by bongofury on 2012-08-08 #gear #kiev #portugal #bongofury #ukraine #kiev19 #soviet #35mm #review #19 #camera

12 Likes

vadze, jos16, stephen73, gegana06, fish300, neanderthalis, romanfrozzt, alex34, vicker313, jawatembak, tomkiddo & herbert-4.

6 Comments

romanfrozzt · 2012-08-08 11:31
Great review! Thank you!
alex34 · 2012-08-08 16:20
Have to love the helios lens. Instantly recognizable look I would say. Great galleries.
romanfrozzt · 2012-08-09 06:21
This Kiev is realy heavy as hell, I have one too =) And the lens is indeed excellent
romson · 2012-09-08 10:00
@romanfrozzt: Speaking of weight, compared with the Kiev-60, this model is just fluff! :)
gegana06 · 2012-09-21 12:04
You can fit those Kiev-19 with any Nikon lens. The metal shutter plane allowed this camera speed up to 1/1000s, but it will rarely to use the speed more than 1/500s. The LED light meter indicator are similiar with the Nikon FM, but sometimes the light meter were inaccurate.
The Helios-81 lens quality are superb. I'm using those lens on my Nikon F2, FM, FM2, F90X and also on my EOS (uisng Nikon-EOS lens adapter).
Lucky catch on flea market...
gegana06 · 2012-09-21 12:04
You can fit those Kiev-19 with any Nikon lens. The metal shutter plane allowed this camera speed up to 1/500s, but it will rarely to use the speed more than 1/500s. The LED light meter indicator are similiar with the Nikon FM, but sometimes the light meter were inaccurate.
The Helios-81 lens quality are superb. I'm using those lens on my Nikon F2, FM, FM2, F90X and also on my EOS (uisng Nikon-EOS lens adapter).
Lucky catch on flea market...

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