I photographed quite a bit with a 1991 produced Kiev60 in the 90's. When things went right it was a good camera. Overlapping frames problem I solved by taping some stuff to the winding spool to make it thicker, I still got 13 frames out of a roll. But in almost every roll there was one frame which had an annoying bit of overexposure. Finally the shutter gave up altogether and I couldn't get a repairman touch it with a ten foot pole.
Contrast of the Volna-3 lens was pathetic which was ok in black and white.
The only alternative is the Pentax. But I'm still soft for the Kiev. The lenses are way cheaper and very nice.$800? I bought mine WAY cheaper than that, back in the day when people were dumping film cameras right and left. To be fair, I have spent a fair amount getting them rebuilt over time, so...
If you are that conflicted and concerned about performance,I would also suggest you try another camera; maybe a Mamiya RB67 or Pentax 67, but expect to spend 2x the price for lenses.
However, be forewarned that none of these aging MF cameras are not without their potential issues
The only alternative is the Pentax. But I'm still soft for the Kiev. The lenses are way cheaper and very nice.
I was also thinking about Hartblei. But I heard that this company is no longer operational. Anyone information on this?
Or bought recently a Hartblei Kiev 60?
Hi,
i bought an Arax a few months ago. I can recommend it fully. It feels very reliable and works fine. I bought only the body and use it with Zeiss Jena lenses.
btw, have we met on the Rolleiflex.nl forum?
regards,
Frank
I once had a Pentacon Six without frame spacing problems. They do exist. Worth their weight in gold!
Don’t expect quality from any Soviet product, that was simply never on their books.
All cameras were a case of hit and miss. With luck it worked ok. Same on lenses, sample to sample variance is all over the charts, some were indeed excellent.
If someone does own repair I can see appeal, but I’d never put money up to service them because service might give them life or they may go bust again quickly after.
And in the end: why? There re so many great and reliable cameras to pick from. Soviet era gear is really not cheap anymore, often better quality can be had for less.
In a way, I agree with you. Prices had been going up recently and for no apparent reason (except war on Ukraine).
I mean, no Hasselblad quality here but quite good enough for me and my purpose. No way I would be able to afford a Hasselblad 2 bodies, 6 film backs and 7 lenses (including a fish eye) like my Kiev 88 kit.
Horses for courses I guess.
In a way, I agree with you. Prices had been going up recently and for no apparent reason (except war on Ukraine).
When I got into the Kiev 88/6c wagon, I got the bodies quite cheap (compared to other cameras).
Also, for Kiev88, at the time when I choose the system, it was amazing I could get a full kit (with an spare back) along with all the lenses I needed/wanted (including 30mm,45mm,80mm,120mm,150mm) for less than $1000. That was hard to beat. Only trick was finding a reliable seller that CLA the equipment.
Been happy with both the Kiev88 and Kiev 6c for the pass 3 years or so. Only issue is replacing light seals on kiev 88 film back but was quite easy.
I mean, no Hasselblad quality here but quite good enough for me and my purpose. No way I would be able to afford a Hasselblad 2 bodies, 6 film backs and 7 lenses (including a fish eye) like my Kiev 88 kit.
Horses for courses I guess.
I have two Kiev 60, one flocked inside and with mirror lock up and another whitout.
I follow advices loading the lever slowly in advancing the film, they work well ,
good film spacing , no light inside.
I have the Sonnar 180 ,,Kaleinar 150 , Mir 30, Telear 250 , 2 normal 80 mm volna and Flektogon 50 mm.
Telear costs nothing and is very sharp even if opens at 5,6 but i like all the other lenses .
Even the prismatic finder looks rubbish at a first sight but , with a little bit of experience, i get the same exposure readings
that i get on Canon 5d mk III.
Probably is not a camera for heavy , professional usage as is a little fragile in the long run , but for an amatorial usage doesn't give problems .
..
But I was never really comfortable with the pictures with some exceptions, so I sold the whole gear (body+metered prism, 50 mm Flektogon, 80 mm Biometar and 180 mm Sonnar) and never looked back. I stay in that format with a Bronica SQ-Ai which works better for me. Finding the right camera for each photographer is a 100% subjective task.
..
Do you see the difference in the pictures taken by both Kievs?
I wonder if flocking is necessary, or only in specific conditions
I got my Kiev-60 today!
It's a '94 model/copy. What a beast! Only the lightmeter is terrible...
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