Who's using the Arax 60?

[alanrockwood]

From what I've seen, the only advantage of the Arax over a Pentacon that isn't due to being newly assembled is the Mirror Lock Up -- this can be an important feature for medium format SLRs (especially if they aren't an RB67).

Some people say that if you get a good one the Kiev/Arax is more reliable than the Pentacon.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Some people say that if you get a good one the Kiev/Arax is more reliable than the Pentacon.

And if you don't get a good one, it's worse? Pretty sure I'll stick with my RB67 ProS and continue planning for the M645 1000s. Don't really need more than a normal lens for 6x6 -- and I can easily crop the 6x7 if I really, really NEED to shoot square with a wide or tele.

 

[halfaman]

I had an Arax-60 and it was a nice camera, fairly light for a 6x6 SLR and easy to use. AE Prism was accurate even the lens has to be stopped down for metering. Having the shutter on camera makes the lenses light and compact. The advance lever jam after a couple of weeks and I have to sent the camera back for repairing, one good thing is that Arax services the cameras they sell. After that repair the camera worked flawlessly.

My favourite lenses were 80 mm Biometar and Arsenal lenses but I never feel the connection with the camera. I can't explain precisely why but it happened, the overall experience never satisfy me completely even I got a couple of really good photos.

Sold the equipment after a year and bought an Bronica SQ-Ai. Happy since I did it.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I had an Arax-60 and it was a nice camera, fairly light for a 6x6 SLR and easy to use. AE Prism was accurate even the lens has to be stopped down for metering. Having the shutter on camera makes the lenses light and compact. The advance lever jam after a couple of weeks and I have to sent the camera back for repairing, one good thing is that Arax services the cameras they sell. After that repair the camera worked flawlessly.

My favourite lenses were 80 mm Biometar and Arsenal lenses but I never feel the connection with the camera. I can't explain precisely why but it happened, the overall experience never satisfy me completely even I got a couple of really good photos.

Sold the equipment after a year and bought an Bronica SQ-Ai. Happy since I did it.

Seems like you have answered own question: Bronica and Arax are worlds apart, in every way. reason why one feels like a finished product and the other never does.

Nothing wrong with trying na Arax, so long as the expectations are set to cope with it before even seeing one. Looking at prices I don't understand how Arax is in considerations, curiosity factors aside.

 

[removedacct3]

Looking at prices I don't understand how Arax is in considerations, curiosity factors aside.

I bought one solely for the 180/2.8 Sonnar lens. Nowadays, my set consists of a 80, 120 and the 180. All CZ Jena. I do not use it very often, but I never considered selling the kit.