Arsenal Kiev 4A
The Arsenal Kiev 4A is a Contax RF-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1958. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- Contax RF
- Release Year
- 1958
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- Unknown
- Serial Range
- Unknown, normally year coded; production revisions are non-uniform
Dimensions
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- None, combined rangefinder/viewfinder with a fixed 50 mm field; accessory finders required for other focal lengths
- Shutter Speeds
- B, 1/2 s to 1/1250 s on early versions; later production may end at 1/1000 s
- Shutter Type
- Metal
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- Yes
- Flash Sync
- 1/25 s
Kiev 4A
The Arsenal Kiev 4A is the unmetered companion to the Kiev 4 and the updated successor to the Kiev 2A. It retains the Contax RF bayonet, coupled long-base finder, metal vertical-travel shutter and flash synchronization without the Kiev 4 meter housing [1][2].
Compared with the 2A, the 4A has a flatter base without the earlier support foot, revised back and base construction, and a film-speed reminder incorporated into the rewind control [1].
History
Development and Launch
The regular Kiev 4A series is generally dated from 1958. It became one of the most widely encountered unmetered Kiev Contax RF bodies [1][3].
Production Evolution
Long production brought changes to shutter-speed scales, engravings, coverings and body details. Early examples may reach 1/1250 second, while later bodies commonly end at 1/1000 second [2][3].
Special Variants
Collector type numbers and logo variations describe production evolution within the Kiev 4A profile. They should be recorded as metadata, not separate models.
Collector Notes
Verify that a camera identified as 4A lacks the meter rather than being an altered Kiev 4. Check the flash terminal, shutter ribbons, rangefinder, self timer, back fit and consistency between serial date and body details.
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