Kiev 19

Name: Kiev 19
Brand: Kiev

The Kiev 19 is a 35mm SLR made by the Soviet Arsenal factory. It uses the Pentax K-mount and was introduced as a lower-end consumer camera. It is frequently described as very similar to the Pentax K1000 in design and layout. It was pitched at beginners - set the aperture, and the camera picks the shutter speed through its aperture-priority automatic exposure system.

Surviving documentation on the Kiev 19 is thin, and what exists is somewhat conflicted. What is generally agreed upon: it uses a K-mount, offers shutter speeds from 1/2 sec to 1/500 sec, has centre-weighted metering with the aperture and shutter speed visible in the viewfinder, includes a self-timer and flash sync, and runs on a mercury battery. That last one is a practical problem now, since mercury cells are no longer sold and modern alternatives require care. The common complaint among collectors is that many Kiev 19 bodies have a faulty light meter by now. Period reviews of Soviet Ukrainian music appeared in HiFI-Stereo, September 1981, p.105, reflecting the broader cultural context in which this camera was produced.

One point of confusion is the standard lens. Most listings describe an f/2.0 50mm lens, but a Michigan State University source mentions a 50mm f/1.8 for the Kiev 19. These may be different lens variants, but no source clarifies the distinction, so treat the kit lens spec with some caution.

No production years, original price, dimensions, or weight are documented in the sources available to the Archive. Current asking prices in online listings range from roughly $32 to $89, depending on condition and whether the meter works.

Known specs: