>>4163473Kiev 4 is a good camera, but if you plan on using it, the ribbons on the shutter will eventually fail. Get it CLA'd by Oleg Khalyavin, who is back open for business now.
If you are dead set on the 4 model, make sure to get a Helios-103 53/1.8 for it, probably one of the best lenses made for the Kiev line. Outstanding sharpness and contrast, even by not-Soviet-standards.
There are better rangefinders than the Kiev out there but it is a good camera. My personal weapon of choice is the Leningrad, Zorki-5 and later 6. The FED rangefinders were good too. Communism had something to prove in the 50's and 60's before Brezhnev came in and screwed it all up with his 5 year plan so try to aim for that period if you are set on a Soviet RF. Hell, Leica IIIc prices are still low enough to where you can cop one for cheaper than some Soviet cameras, I paid double for my Leningrad what I paid for my IIIc
