Arsenal Kiev 4AM
The Arsenal Kiev 4AM is a Contax RF-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1980. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- Contax RF
- Release Year
- 1980
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- Unknown
- Serial Range
- Unknown, normally year coded; production records and surviving examples vary
Dimensions
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- None, combined rangefinder/viewfinder with a fixed 50 mm field; accessory finders required for other focal lengths
- Shutter Speeds
- 1/2 s to 1/1000 s, B
- Shutter Type
- Metal
Features
- Hot Shoe
- Yes
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- Yes
- Flash Sync
- 1/25 s
Kiev 4AM
The Arsenal Kiev 4AM is the unmetered companion to the Kiev 4M and the final conventional unmetered model in Arsenal's Contax-derived rangefinder line. It combines the Contax RF mount with a metal shutter, long-base rangefinder, folding rewind crank, fixed take-up spool and hot shoe.
The absence of the selenium meter gives the 4AM a lower top profile. A manual film-speed reminder remains, but it does not meter exposure.
History
Development and Launch
The Kiev 4AM appeared around 1980 as the non-metered version of the modernized Kiev 4M. It succeeded the Kiev 4A in Arsenal's product sequence.
Production Evolution
Sources variously place the end of production between 1985 and 1989. These differences may reflect standard manufacture, late assembly and surviving factory stock.
Special Variants
Different logos, coverings and supplied lenses should be stored as metadata. They do not require separate base profiles.
Collector Notes
Verify that the camera is a factory 4AM rather than a modified 4M. Inspect the hot shoe, PC terminal, shutter, rangefinder, fixed take-up spool and serial-era consistency.
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