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 [1][2].
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 [1].
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 [2][3].
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 [2][3].
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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