Anyone deal with Kiev Camera (kievcamera.com)?

mark · Oct 25, 2006

Yes, MF bodies have dropped drastically in price and now more reliable bodies are within the Kiev price range, but it is the cost of the glass that will kick you in wallet, hard.

kb244 · Oct 25, 2006

mark said:
Yes, MF bodies have dropped drastically in price and now more reliable bodies are within the Kiev price range, but it is the cost of the glass that will kick you in wallet, hard.

Not nessarily, the same would be somewhat true for P6 mounts as well, I remeber I got my 90mm f/3.8C and 180mm f/4.5 from keh.com for 50$ a peice for my Mamiya RB67 camera. Pretty damn good deal if you ask me. the more pricey ones such as a 65mm C would run me around 200$ to 300$ for the glass, but considering it's grade to equivilent 35mm brand/model, thats still quite reasonable.

Nick Zentena · Oct 25, 2006

mark said:
If you want to shoot handheld, the 88 is a bit awkward. You might think about the K60. Sure, it looks like it was beat with the ugly stick but it has less problems than the 88. Those who shoot with both like the 60 as a hand held camera. I don't own a 60 because I like switching film backs. I also don't shoot handheld very often with it.

60 and 6C bodies can be cheaper then backs so I never saw the lack of backs being a big issue.

OTOH so many things are so cheap today the only P6 item I'd consider buying is the fisheye. But then I have two Kiev bodies and quite a few lenses.

THardy · Oct 29, 2006

Buy Mamiya! They are cheap and Good! An almost new RZ67pro2 kit costs about $900-1000. Other models are much cheaper.

kwmullet · Oct 29, 2006

update: The argument for Dianna and I sharing the same lenses was compelling, so she got a Kiev60 off E-Bay. Neither her camera nor my P6 have arrived yet. We can hardly wait.

-KwM-

kb244 · Oct 30, 2006

THardy said:
Buy Mamiya! They are cheap and Good! An almost new RZ67pro2 kit costs about $900-1000. Other models are much cheaper.

Meh, gona go with mamiya, might as well save your pennies for a good glass, and get an RB67 body for less than 200$ or a cheap complete outfit for less than 250$ With whats out there, paying more than 400-500 would seem insane when there are alternatives thats nearly identical.

P C Headland · Oct 30, 2006

Good luck with the P6 and K60.

It's not the body cost, it's the cost, range & general quality of the lenses and other accessories that make the system attractive.

I love using my P6, regardless of whether I'm shooting with the CZJ 50, 80 or 120mm lenses. Next items will be either a 30mm or 180mm.

For the brighter screen, I had one fitted from a Kiev, with microprisms. This makes focusing in dim light quite easy, even when the 120mm is on a short tube (ideal for baby portraits!). I also got it CLA'd and a film wind indicator fitted (as a precaution, I'd never had spacing problems).

Learn how to load the camera properly and you should have no frame spacing problems.

Look forward to seeing your results.

Daniel Unkefer · Oct 30, 2006

I've been a Kievaholic for about five years, I've been writing about them for as long on the Delphi Kiev Forum. Mike Fourman is basically a one-man business, and he can't offer anything more than trading out something not working right. If you do that, you might get something even worse than what you are replacing. He travels over there frequently (his business basically shuts down while he is gone). He has connections at the Kiev factory, and the "real" Hartblei.

He has been OK to deal with over the years, overall. But I'm not defending him, I am just relating my experiences.

http://hassydan.tripod.com to see some older images

ragc · Nov 11, 2006

I know Mike personally. His business is a 5 min. drive from my house, so I just visit him. What the previous poster said is true. I have never had a problem with him. He is an easygoing, honest man as far as I've known.

herb · Nov 12, 2006

Kiev and such

I have a Hartblei, which is an upgraded "blueprinted" version of the Kiev 88 CM

Never had a problem with it, although I got a Hasselblad and use it more, since it is a tad more reliable. The Kiev shift tilt lenses are really good, as is the 150mm f 2.8, providing you can heave the thing-it is a load.

Mike Fourman and his helper (wife?) are great to work with and you will not be dissatisfied with them.

alfaromeon · Nov 20, 2006

May I intervene somewhat in this discussion? I am interested in possibly purchasing a Kiev 6X6 slide projector as a backup for my P-11 Rollei which, typically, tends to jam, particularly when one is in the middle of a lecture/presentation. Any experience with Kiev projectors or advice? The listed cost for a new Kiev "automatic" projector is about $260 and, allowing for $100 shipping, the price is still attractive.

Anyone deal with Kiev Camera (kievcamera.com)?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency