Arsenal Kiev 4M
The Arsenal Kiev 4M is a Contax RF-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1976. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- Contax RF
- Release Year
- 1976
- 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 4M
The Arsenal Kiev 4M is the 1976 modernization of the meter-equipped Kiev 4. It retains the dual Contax RF bayonet, long-base coupled rangefinder and vertically travelling metal shutter, while adding revised controls, a folding rewind crank, fixed take-up spool and hot shoe [1][2].
Its uncoupled selenium meter remains housed above the camera. Standard 50 mm lenses use the internal bayonet and body focusing helicoid, while other focal lengths generally use the external bayonet and accessory finders [1].
History
Development and Launch
Arsenal introduced the Kiev 4M in 1976 as the most substantial modernization of the conventional Kiev Contax-derived body. The shutter scale was regularized to a 1/1000 second top speed [2].
Production Evolution
Production continued into the mid-1980s, with some references extending the end date to 1987. Jupiter-8M and Helios-103 standard lenses are both associated with the series [2][3].
Special Variants
Logo, covering and standard-lens differences belong in variant metadata. The unmetered Kiev 4AM is a separate base model.
Collector Notes
Check the selenium meter, hot-shoe contact, PC terminal, rangefinder, shutter curtains, self timer and fixed take-up spool. Serial dating should be compared with the body's control style.
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