Camera Talk

Has anyone been inside a Kiev 35A? I have one that jammed many years ago. Today decided to open it for a peek inside. Maybe it can be brought back to life? If not, at least something may be learned before sending it to the junk box.

So far, I managed to take the top off and assemble it back, as a first exercise. Harder than it looks, because there is a flash sensor pin must be just inserted in the hot shoe for the top to fit.

This is how the Kiev 35A looks with the top off.



As I have no idea of the mechanisms and could find no diagram or coherent repair instructions, my plan was to disassemble, look and learn. Am open to suggestions!

In order to look at the film transport, I believe that I should take off the disc of the film counter. The assembly seems to be fixed by the screw pointed by the green arrow. It is very tight and did not want to force it. Maybe it is not even a screw but an axis (?). Should I take out the key around that screw? What tool would be used for that?

Thanks for any comment!

Those are e-type retaining ring, there are dedicated removers
But i have used a tiny screw driver for such purpose
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-E-Clips

Looks remarkably similar to my Minox 35GT - maybe have a look at some of the online resources for those cameras? I found a few resources on Flickr. The flash switch is exactly the same, actually not that hard to push into place. IIRC I just used a piece of card to slip it into place while putting on the cover.

Good point, check this website:
https://letsminox.com/shutter-button-in ... perations/

Thanks for these resources. I found a repair manual for the Minox EL, where there are some diagrams, and plan to go on with the exploration soon. Indeed it is supposedly a copy of the Minox GT.

IIRC I just used a piece of card to slip it into place while putting on the cover.

Yes, I did it with a thin plastic rod. Will be easier next time.

I don't like the looks of that green resistor and whatever that glop is between it and the three terminals.

PF

PFMcFarland wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 29, 2026 11:35 am

I don't like the looks of that green resistor and whatever that glop is between it and the three terminals.

PF

I didn’t either, not good. Cleaned it with a brush. Seems like soldering resin gone south.

That copper swing arm switch has a dab of glue on it indicating that it will have to be reconnected to whatever controls it. Good luck with that, as the focus mechanism for the Olympus XA has a similar arrangement that I wasn't quite able to get back together with any success thus creating an iffy situation every time one tries to focus it to infinity.

PF

The dab in the center upper area is not glue, it is actually a plastic piece, with a rounded edge that goes inside a slot in the hot shoe. It is useful for holding the swing arm while you put back the top. That copper swing arm is moved laterally when a flash is inserted, fixing exposure at 1/100 or so. So far I learned from the Minox manual.

I am more concerned about the other round “glue” dab next to the shutter release, on the end of a sliding (?) copper arm. I suspect that the black release button actually goes inside the opening in that copper arm, and that the variation in diameter of the black shutter button controls its movement, and therefore the electronic shutter. Will continue to tinker on this part of the mechanism before attempting further disassembly.