MF newbie - Kiev 88 purchase suggestions

[Adrian Twiss]

Is 6X4.5 too small a negative? If not then there is a vary good choice, Bronica ETR, Mamiya 645, Pentax and Contax 645s. I have a Mamiya 645 system that I am selling (although not until I have had the bodies serviced). I can say with confidence that the Mamiya is a quality bit of kit.

Adrian

 

[Anscojohn]

I have had a Pentax 6x7 (with mirror lock up) for many years and used it mainly for copy work with a macro lens. It gave me excellent service. I do not use it any more because it is heavy.

 

[Herzeleid]

Is 6X4.5 too small a negative? If not then there is a vary good choice, Bronica ETR, Mamiya 645, Pentax and Contax 645s. I have a Mamiya 645 system that I am selling (although not until I have had the bodies serviced). I can say with confidence that the Mamiya is a quality bit of kit.

Adrian

Well, being a newbie about MF. I am sure it is not small for me but the cameras are hard to find and overpriced. Bronica's are rare because there is not much competition and they are way too overpriced especially considering the US market.
I have no doubt about the Mamiya systems quality, I just can't find a good offer. RB67 is very common here but a simple RB67 kit 90 lens a mag and body is around 400 to 500 us dollars.

 

[Herzeleid]

I have had a Pentax 6x7 (with mirror lock up) for many years and used it mainly for copy work with a macro lens. It gave me excellent service. I do not use it any more because it is heavy.

I am used to heavy cameras F5, F90x with batt. grip macro and tele-lenses, it is slightly heavier than my 35mm system. I think I can live with it but I wish it was lighter. My guess is after checking photos in flickr and reviews online, Pentax 6x7 body TTL 45, 105 and 135 macro lens is a good set not just for beginner but also for serious amateurs.

 

[Adrian Twiss]

Serdar

I have not used my 645 system for a long time. I was finding that I was using 6x6 for most of my MF work. If I saw the picture as a square then I composed using the whole negative and printed it square. If I saw a rectangle then I composed accordingly and cropped. I feel that with 645 you need to use the whole negative to get the full MF advantage. But then again, some people may think I am being fussy.

Adrian.

 

[JRJacobs]

I think you are making a good decision to go with Pentax 6x7 over Kiev. I use P67 system and it is very reliable with excellent lenses.

 

[elektrovolt]

many people would go for a Kiev 88 or 88cm, because they are cheap. I did. and I won't do it again ! ignored all the horror stories of broken shutters and such, so I thought it would be safe to buy one from evilbay that ought to be NEW and overhauled by Hartblei. OK, it worked, but quite a lot of issues: misaligned viewfinder lens, heavy transport, misaligned diaphragm, film not running straight and light leaks.

the images that were made with it were fine, because of the Zeiss lenses I used. and then... after a few months the shutter jammed badly and now it only rattles a little. no warranty and the only option is repair at ARAX. including postage this will cost me around 160 euros.

total costs: around 500 euros. for around 500 euros you could buy more reliable quality stuff second hand, such as a hasselblad 500c !

 

[Kino]

many people would go for a Kiev 88 or 88cm, because they are cheap. I did. and I won't do it again ! ignored all the horror stories of broken shutters and such, so I thought it would be safe to buy one from evilbay that ought to be NEW and overhauled by Hartblei. OK, it worked, but quite a lot of issues: misaligned viewfinder lens, heavy transport, misaligned diaphragm, film not running straight and light leaks.

the images that were made with it were fine, because of the Zeiss lenses I used. and then... after a few months the shutter jammed badly and now it only rattles a little. no warranty and the only option is repair at ARAX. including postage this will cost me around 160 euros.

total costs: around 500 euros. for around 500 euros you could buy more reliable quality stuff second hand, such as a hasselblad 500c !

To each his own, but to only throw the camera a bone because you were using Zeiss lenses is a bit ungenerous; the Russian Lenses are quite good performers on the whole.

Most people destroy Kievs because they *THINK* they know how to run them, assuming prior MF knowledge and experience is all that is required, but soon find out it is not when the camera jams, starts mis-spacing frames or has light leaks.