Arsenal Kiev III
The Arsenal Kiev III is a Contax RF-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1952. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- Contax RF
- Release Year
- 1952
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- Unknown
- Serial Range
- Unknown, early meter-equipped bodies used limited and changing serial blocks
Dimensions
- Weight
- 710g
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 1/1250 s, B
- Shutter Type
- Metal
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- Yes
- Flash Sync
- None
Kiev III
The Arsenal Kiev III is the meter-equipped counterpart to the Kiev II and a direct production continuation of the prewar Contax III concept. It combines the Contax RF bayonet, a long-base coupled finder, a metal vertical-travel shutter and an uncoupled selenium exposure meter [1][2].
The tall meter housing distinguishes it from the Kiev II. The reading must be transferred manually to the shutter and lens aperture controls. The camera has no factory flash synchronization [1].
History
Development and Launch
Very small numbers of meter-equipped cameras are documented from the late 1940s, often with German components. The Kiev III became an established production model around 1952 [2][3].
Production Evolution
Arsenal progressively replaced German parts with Soviet-made components. Production dating differs among references, with the main period generally ending in the mid to late 1950s [1][3].
Special Variants
Early German-component bodies and Ukrainian or Cyrillic logo versions are collector variants, not separate generic models.
Collector Notes
Check the meter housing, calculator dial, shutter and rangefinder independently. Early Kiev III serial patterns require specialist comparison, and altered or assembled bodies are known.
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