alanrockwood
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- Joined
- Oct 11, 2006
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- Multi Format
One possibility could be to get a Kiev 60 that has been modified for 645 format. They used to be dirt cheap on ebay. Now they are not quite dirt cheap, but still relatively inexpensive. The 645 variant shows up every once in a while on ebay. There's one listed on ebay right now, including the TTL prism, for about $210, including the shipping charge The seller claims it works well. However, I think that's just for the body.
Consider this however, The only thing you gain by going with the 645 version rather than the 6x6 version is a few extra shots per roll. Externally the two versions are identical. Given that, it might just be best to buy the regular 6x6 format version. Unless you shoot a lot of 120 format you won't save all that much in film costs by going with the 6x6 format, and you will only need to change rolls a little more often.
Handling isn't too bad, kind of like a king-size 35mm slr. TTL prisms are available (not coupled). Lenses are pretty good.
You can spend a little more and get one that is more likely to work well if from a place like Hartblei. Here's what they say at their website.
"The base model of the Kiev 60 camera, offered by Hartblei, is completely reassembled and adjusted version of the camera Kiev 60, made by Kiev Arsenal plant.
Hartblei Company makes two basic modifications of the Kiev 60 camera: Kiev 60 / Kiev 456 and Kiev 60 Master / Kiev 456 Master. The Master model has a pre-release mode (MLU, Mirror Lock-Up). Kiev 60 Master / Kiev 456 Master camera allows you to lock-up the mirror before releasing the shutter by pressing the mirror release button. The mirror control mechanism allows avoiding undesirable impact from mirror actuation with a shutter release and thus improving image sharpness.
Kiev 60 / Kiev 60 Master camera works with 6×6 cm format and takes 12 exposures per 120 roll film. Kiev 456 / Kiev 456 camera works with 4.5×6 cm format which allows to take 16 exposures per 120 roll film."
Their website lists a price of $365 for the 645 format version with an 80mm Arsat lens and a basic pentaprism (not the TTL pentaprism).
There is a fairly wide range of lenses available, including some Zeiss lenses if you want to go that far.
Araxfoto is another company that sells rebuilds. I think maybe they are more expensive than Hartblei, though I don't know for sure.
Consider this however, The only thing you gain by going with the 645 version rather than the 6x6 version is a few extra shots per roll. Externally the two versions are identical. Given that, it might just be best to buy the regular 6x6 format version. Unless you shoot a lot of 120 format you won't save all that much in film costs by going with the 6x6 format, and you will only need to change rolls a little more often.
Handling isn't too bad, kind of like a king-size 35mm slr. TTL prisms are available (not coupled). Lenses are pretty good.
You can spend a little more and get one that is more likely to work well if from a place like Hartblei. Here's what they say at their website.
"The base model of the Kiev 60 camera, offered by Hartblei, is completely reassembled and adjusted version of the camera Kiev 60, made by Kiev Arsenal plant.
Hartblei Company makes two basic modifications of the Kiev 60 camera: Kiev 60 / Kiev 456 and Kiev 60 Master / Kiev 456 Master. The Master model has a pre-release mode (MLU, Mirror Lock-Up). Kiev 60 Master / Kiev 456 Master camera allows you to lock-up the mirror before releasing the shutter by pressing the mirror release button. The mirror control mechanism allows avoiding undesirable impact from mirror actuation with a shutter release and thus improving image sharpness.
Kiev 60 / Kiev 60 Master camera works with 6×6 cm format and takes 12 exposures per 120 roll film. Kiev 456 / Kiev 456 camera works with 4.5×6 cm format which allows to take 16 exposures per 120 roll film."
Their website lists a price of $365 for the 645 format version with an 80mm Arsat lens and a basic pentaprism (not the TTL pentaprism).
There is a fairly wide range of lenses available, including some Zeiss lenses if you want to go that far.
Araxfoto is another company that sells rebuilds. I think maybe they are more expensive than Hartblei, though I don't know for sure.
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