Hasselblad NC-2 Clone (Kiev-88)

[freecom2]

Hi all,
Looking at 45 degree non-TTL finders, and the NC-2 clones seem to be amongst the cheapest I can find.

Does anyone have any experience with this one? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Non-TTL-NC-2-type-prism-finder-Hasselblad-Kiev-88-CM-/130458498599

They look new and evidently must still be making them (or at least have a large stock of them), judging from the number sold and number available.

 

[EASmithV]

From what i've read, they pick up a lot of internal reflections. Other than that, I don't know anything about them, other than that they work.

 

[desertrat]

I have one and use it sometimes on my Kiev-80, which is the same camera as a Kiev-88 in almost every respect. I had to do a little custom metal removal with a file on the mounting flange of the prism finder to make it fit. It works, although I generally prefer the image quality of the standard waist level finder. The only real complaint I have for the waist level finder is its laterally reversed image.

 

[freecom2]

I'm usually fine with waist level viewfinders (used Yashica Mat and Rolleiflex TLRs for a while now), just wanted to explore the options and I reckon a 45 degree finder would work quite well on a medium format SLR. Anyone else have any opinions on them? Price checking is difficult, they don't seem to sell many of the original or clones.

 

[mikebarger]

I have an NC2 and a NC2 clone...haven't been able to see a difference....ever..

 

[freecom2]

I'm definitely going to be on the look out for one then, thanks! It's amazing how little they seem to pop up, they must be appreciated by their owners

 

[Mark Fisher]

A regular NC2 is pretty cheap. Mine has some separation and was $25. It works fine. I don't even notice the separation.

 

[freecom2]

They should be, but they seem to be cheaper in the US market than in the UK market (as with so many things, sadly).

I'm quite tempted to instead pick up the TTL/Spot metering prism from Kiev, the latest ones are made to work with 3 LR44/AG13 batteries and it would be nice to have a TTL meter (I have a handheld Sekonic but it does slow down things a bit).