Soviet Kiev 3 35mm Contax Style Rangefinder with Jupiter 8 50mm Lens

Here’s a collector-grade listing draft for the Soviet Kiev 3 Rangefinder with the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 lens, tailored for historical appeal, SEO strength, and transparency:

Title (Max 80 Characters):

Kiev 3 Rangefinder + Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 – Contax Style – USSR – Clean & Tested

Kiev 3 35mm Rangefinder Camera + Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 Lens – Contax Style – Soviet Classic

The Kiev 3 is a Soviet-made 35mm rangefinder camera, produced by the Arsenal factory in Ukraine from the early 1950s. It’s a near-clone of the pre-war Zeiss Contax II, built using German tooling and design as part of WWII reparations. Paired with the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2, a Sonnar-type lens, this kit offers sharp rendering, smooth bokeh, and a rich historical legacy.

This example is in clean working condition, with smooth shutter operation, accurate rangefinder alignment, and clear optics. The selenium meter but is not working. The lens is free from major haze or fungus, and focus/aperture rings operate smoothly.

Included:

• Kiev 3 35mm rangefinder body
• Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 lens (Contax RF mount)

Specs – Camera:

• Format: 35mm film
• Mount: Contax RF bayonet (dual inner/outer)
• Shutter: Metal curtain, 1/2s to 1/1250s + Bulb
• Meter: Uncoupled selenium (often non-functional)
• Viewfinder: Combined rangefinder
• Build: All-metal, Soviet-era craftsmanship
• Weight: ~700g
• Made in USSR (Arsenal, Kiev)

Specs – Lens:

• Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 (Sonnar-type)
• Aperture Range: f/2 to f/22
• Mount: Contax RF inner bayonet
• Filter Thread: 40.5mm
• Minimum Focus: ~1m
• Made in USSR

SEO Keywords:

Kiev 3 rangefinder camera, Soviet Contax clone, Jupiter-8 50mm lens, vintage 35mm RF camera, USSR film camera, Arsenal Kiev camera, Sonnar-style lens

Collector Notes:

The Kiev 3 is a fascinating piece of Cold War photographic history. Built on seized Zeiss equipment, it retains the dual bayonet mount, metal shutter, and rangefinder precision of the Contax II. The Jupiter-8 lens is a Soviet interpretation of the Zeiss Sonnar, known for its smooth rendering and classic character. While not whisper-quiet like Leica copies, the Kiev’s distinctive “schwing” shutter sound adds to its charm.