1) Kiev 2

Kiev 2

1950-59 Kiev-2 identical to Contax, 48 and 49. The model 2 had no exposure meter, reminder dial or flash sockets. The model 2A had no exposure meter or reminder dial but incorporated a flash socket. All versions had a flip-out base stand to stabilise their use on a tabletop.



Similarly named to Contax II and Contax III, the first Kiev models were named Kiev II and Kiev III (in late serials they were designated as Kiev 2 and Kiev 3). These cameras are true replicas in all details of the Contax camera. It is obvious that the level of ambitions was very high at Zavod Arsenal in the early stage of the production. Both the choice of materials, and the construction of the mechanics, as well as the look of the camera, is practically identical to Contax. If you place a shutter- and film transport mechanism from an early Kiev besides one from the Contax - it will take a skilled specialist a close study in order to separate them. Therefore, parts from early Kiev and Contax cameras, are perfectly interchangeable in most cases.

2) KIEV 2A

Kiev 2A

In the first half of the 1950?s, it seems that Kiev production was limited to approximately the same as by pre-war Zeiss Ikon AG. The camera that went on to the market, was a product of high quality, obtainable just by special persons in the Soviet Union, and used as status-increasing export. Today this fact has been discovered by many collectors - good Kiev II and Kiev III cameras are reaching about the same price levels as Contax cameras.


In 1954, Zavod Arsenal introduced a small pre-production serial of a flash synchronized Kiev 2, and in the middle of 1956, the official introduction of the flash synchronization take place. The new cameras are designated Kiev 2 A, and Kiev 3 A.

3) KIEV 3

KIEV III No.525122 Jupiter-8 50mm F2 No.5205084



Rewinding Knob with DIN marking

1952-59 Kiev-3 some with uncoupled exposure meter. The Kiev 3 had an exposure meter but no flash sockets and model 3A an exposure meter. All versions had a flip-out base stand to stabilise their use on a tabletop.

4) KIEV 3A

KIEV III A No.5837793 Jupiter-8 50mm F2 Lens



Russian GOST

5) KIEV 4 (Contax IIIa copy)

Kiev 4 NO.6018289




Kiev 4 Meter



Sef Timer & Rewinding Knob

In the 1950?s the Contax IIa and the Contax IIIa made by Zeiss Ikon AG in Stuttgart were of highest status at the camera market. Zavod Arsenal were influenced by the look of their West German competitors. In 1957-58 Zavod Arsenal designed some new Kiev prototype cameras, besides the ordinarily production Kiev 2 A and Kiev 3 A.


The new camera has an exposure meter in outer appearance equal to the one of the Contax IIIa. The inner function however, is like the old meter. As a matter of fact, it is a simplified miniature variant of the Kiev 3 A meter - that made it possible to speed up the production further. The new camera back is, both in appearance and construction, like the Contax IIa and the Contax IIIa. This was not a very clever move, as the result will be a use of the back of the Contax IIa/IIIa on the film plane of the Contax II/III. It caused film flatness problems, especially since they abandoned the extra vertical spring at the film pressure plate (as in later Contax IIa/IIIa) a few years after production started. The official production starts in 1960, and the name of the new cameras are Kiev 4 and Kiev 4 A. From now on, the “A” stands for the camera without exposure meter.

6) KIEV 4 Type 2

KIEV 4 TYPE 2No.7712407


Kiev 4 Type 2 Meter


Newly designed self timer


Rewindign Knob

7) KIEV 4M

Kiev 4M


Shutter speed 1/1000 sec


New Meter with Synchro Contact


Newly designed self timer lever


New Rewinding Knob

1957-87 Kiev-4 Four models were available, the 4 and 4M with a built in exposure meter, and 4A and 4AM without the exposure meter. There was no flip-out base stand. It was supplied with the superb Jupiter-8m 50mm f2 lens which was an exact copy of a German Zeiss Sonnar in a Contax bayonet mount.

8) KIEV 4A

Kiev 4A No.6703438

1957-87 Kiev-4 Four models were available, the 4 and 4M with a built in exposure meter, and 4A and 4AM without the exposure meter. There was no flip-out base stand. It was supplied with the superb Jupiter-8m 50mm f2 lens which was an exact copy of a German Zeiss Sonnar in a Contax bayonet mount.

9) Kiev 4 A No Name Contax 1963

KIEV 4A No.6306539


Engraved Made in USSR Occupied GERMANY

1963 The No Name Kiev came about as a result of the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962. The foreign importers put pressure on the Arsenal factory to produce a Kiev 4a without any engravings. It was supplied with a Sonnar Zeiss-Lena. Approximatly 6000 examples were produced.They can be identified by the serial number starting with 63, and the flash sync on the left front body.

10) Kiev 4A Type 2

Kiev 4A TYPE 2




Newly designed self timer