Kiev 88

I guess that depends on what you want it for? If you want it for taking pictures then the lenses are more than adequate to take great pictures if you can do your part. Buy one that works and get with it.

If you are looking for an investment that will grow in value during the time you own it so you can resell it later at a profit? Probably not so much.

People get too worried about reliability. Probably 90% of all used cameras will need some service or adjustment at some point in their lifespan. This is a fact of life for German cameras, Japanese cameras, Swedish cameras, and even Russian cameras. So look for someone who can service the camera for you, or learn to do it yourself. Of course you might get lucky and buy one of those 10% that don't need work, but I wouldn't bet on it.

I've been out shooting with my KIEV-88 (pre-CM version) these past two weekends. Mainly to test the Aki-Asahi anti-reflection flock set I've installed.

Dead Link Removed
VEGA-12V 90mm f/2.8 and Rollei Superpan 200


Biggest problem I've had with it was the slow speeds sticking. The airbrake wasn't turning freely due to a bent frame holding it. And another was the L-shaped part going into the stack of gears being bent out of shape.
Both were relatively easy to fix, but you have to know what you're looking for.

Latest problem was after installing the flock set the mirror was slow on the first part of the flipping-up. I installed the rear most strip too far forward on the light baffle. The adhesive layer of the strip was sticking to the underside of the mirror after a day.

Light leaks in the magazines have been mentioned. Make sure you always pull out the darkslide completely. Leaving it sticking out partially allows light to get past the edges of the slide.


I paid a €100 for a set with a VEGA-12V lens, two magazines, TTL-prism and some extension tubes, neatly packed away in a hard case.

Definitely not disappointed with it though. But yeah, as suggested, if you're looking for a reliable 6x6 SLR, you will want to look elsewhere

Little over 2 years ago I made the jump and ordered an Arax-60 from the Arax company. They essentially reworked the Kiev-60, made it better with much smaller tolerances and sells them for pretty cheap prices. I used to have a Bronica ETRSi but that camera was battery dependent (not a battery you could get everywhere) and eventually the electronics failed on the body making it shoot on 1/500th a sec half of the time. I then looked into a better solution than a Bronica, Hassleblad was way too expensive (even secondhand), Mamiya isn't that easy to score in Belgium and any other brand is non-existent here so after surfing on the web for some time I decided to get a reworked Kiev-60. I made the payment (a little over 400euro for a brand new camera with custom leatherette and 80mm lens) and a few weeks later the beast had arrived. Cocking the thing sounds like loading trough a Kalashnikov rifle and there is no way of shooting silent, I do a lot of abandoned buildings and when you are standing in a large hall and trip the shutter everybody there (security guards, fellow explorers and so on) will have heard you taking a photograph. But if you treat it right it will last, I have used it quite a bit in all possible weather conditions and it hasn't failed once. I bought a Carl Zeiss 50mm Flektogon for wide angle and use the standard Arax/Kiev Arsat (80mm) and so far all the photographs came out gorgeous. If you like a no nonsense approach camera, don't mind the somewhat funky ergonomics and don't want to feed the greed of the capitalist, then Comrade, this is the camera for you. I however would only buy it from Arax or some other reputed re-builder, they not only build it so it works but also give you warranty for a year in case something goes wrong.

I have a couple of Kiev 88CM bodies, as well as a Bronica ETRSi system, and a Pentax 67. Most of my early negatives were made with the Kiev as it was cheap to get into. The only thing I use them for now is the excellent 80mm CZJ Biometar, and the 180/2.8 and 300/4 mm, and the 30mm fisheye. Those lenses are honestly the reason I have kept it, and the spare. Read that again, the spare body.

Being careful with setting shutter speeds (mostly a problem with the non-CM), you CAN do good work, but I wouldn't rely on it on a paid job, or on a expedition you can't do over easily (Antarctica/Tibet). There is simply too much risk. Also, the higher shutter speeds are susceptable to banding. There is a reason that past 35mm, most cameras have leaf shutters.

So, I use it for specific things. But mostly reach for my ETRSi.

That being said, I also carry a spare ETRS body when I travel.

I was given a Kiev kit, body and 3 lens. The back had light leaks, the 120 apature would not close, it was loud, the mirror seemed to have a lot of virbration. I know a couple of folks who use Kiev 80s just for very wide lens. As I did not want to spend a lot of money to upgrade I in turn gave it away.