Anybody have any experience with these cameras? I have heard they are work horses and produce great photos, sut does anybody here have any experience with them? I am asking for one for Christmas.
"...made by Kiev Arsenal in the former Soviet Union, present day Ukraine. It is a copy of the DDR’s Pentacon Six featuring the same P6 lens mount. The lens on my model is a Vega-125 90mm f/2.8 which is able to produce the fantastic swirling bokeh we have become familiar with on Soviet lenses of that era (such as the M42 mount Helios 44M)."
Re: Kiev 6c < Reply # 3 on 11/16/2011 3:40 PM > | Reply with Quote
Posted by shadowedsmile I would suspect it means that it's been remade to take medium format (120) film.
Well It is a medium format SLR, so it is made to use 120 film already. Although judging by the pictures it seems it means that it has a different frame size.
Location: valbona Gender: Male Total Likes: 17 likes
////////////
| | |
Re: Kiev 6c < Reply # 6 on 11/16/2011 5:34 PM > | Reply with Quote
Some of those Kiev cameras are crap. I had one of the other ones, the hasselblad clone and it worked ok for a while. You turn the knob the wrong way once and the whole thing starts to go quirky over time.
Mine still functions, but for shooting 120 film, I have to take the film magazine off after each shot and put the Polaroid back on to wind to the next exposure, and then put the film magazine back on.
Though, there are a few "good" ones out there that haven't given people trouble, I would rather put the money towards something more reliable...
Location: Tokyo Gender: Male Total Likes: 41 likes
| |
Re: Kiev 6c < Reply # 7 on 11/17/2011 5:17 AM > | Reply with Quote
Posted by shadowedsmile Just means it's the more rectangular shot that medium format produces instead of the 6x6.
645 specifically over 66 I would guess!
Some of those Kiev cameras are crap.
I think they all are. Or, at least the ones I've been asked to fix. Good concept, poorly executed is the general feeling I believe. If you really like them, and they are large, heavy, and unwieldy, then try the Arax version?
You might better better off with another older 66 SLR, or TLR? Neko.
Re: Kiev 6c < Reply # 9 on 11/18/2011 3:24 PM > | Reply with Quote
Posted by Adv.Pack If you really want a Keiv, you can get a brand new 6x6 version for $200.
..... but I wouldn't get a Keiv.
But they are so Russian, and cool. Plus it is a cheap way to get into medium format, and from what I have seen the lenses produce pretty nice sharp images. And if I want to get more lenses I won't be spending too much.
Location: Pearland, Tx. Gender: Male Total Likes: 51 likes
| |
Re: Kiev 6c < Reply # 11 on 11/19/2011 5:39 AM > | Reply with Quote
Go with a Diana F+, I use one and they are decent, and at least if you take care of it, it will last. I have had mine for almost a year now, and shot about 30 rolls through it.
Location: Minneapolis, MN Gender: Male Total Likes: 24 likes
Squirty "Stickybuns" von Cherrypants
| | | | | |
Re: Kiev 6c < Reply # 13 on 11/20/2011 5:38 AM > | Reply with Quote
Posted by urbexkeith
But they are so Russian, and cool. Plus it is a cheap way to get into medium format, and from what I have seen the lenses produce pretty nice sharp images. And if I want to get more lenses I won't be spending too much.
Technically, they weren't Russian. They were Soviet and (as the name would imply) were made in Kiev, Ukraine (unless I'm mistaken).
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away." -Tom Waits
Location: Boston, MA Gender: Male Total Likes: 5 likes
| | | |
Re: Kiev 6c < Reply # 14 on 11/20/2011 7:18 AM > | Reply with Quote
Posted by Ghostofthelens Go with a Diana F+, I use one and they are decent, and at least if you take care of it, it will last. I have had mine for almost a year now, and shot about 30 rolls through it.
These are toys. Fun, but not a serious camera like Keith seems to be looking for.
If the Kiev has been converted for a different format I'd say don't bother with it. No point in getting a heavyweight that shoots 6x4.5, you'd be better off with a Mamiya 645 or Bronica ETRS. They're way better cameras anyway.
[last edit 11/20/2011 7:19 AM by willskith - edited 1 times]
grit your teeth in the face of fear. self repression is the true sign of a coward, toss your inhibitions to the wind.
Location: Pearland, Tx. Gender: Male Total Likes: 51 likes
| |
Re: Kiev 6c < Reply # 15 on 11/20/2011 2:31 PM > | Reply with Quote
Posted by willskith
These are toys. Fun, but not a serious camera like Keith seems to be looking for.
If the Kiev has been converted for a different format I'd say don't bother with it. No point in getting a heavyweight that shoots 6x4.5, you'd be better off with a Mamiya 645 or Bronica ETRS. They're way better cameras anyway.
I'll be sure to let the people that shoot contracts and advertisements know this. As that was one of the reasons I got the camera, it is not looked at as a toy by Professionals. Plastic, yes, but until now I had not heard it listed as a toy.
Location: Tokyo Gender: Male Total Likes: 41 likes
| |
Re: Kiev 6c < Reply # 18 on 11/21/2011 7:17 AM > | Reply with Quote
Posted by Ghostofthelens I'll be sure to let the people that shoot contracts and advertisements know this. As that was one of the reasons I got the camera, it is not looked at as a toy by Professionals. Plastic, yes, but until now I had not heard it listed as a toy.
It is 100% looked on as a toy by professionals! They are the archetypal toy camera and anyone who tries to tell you otherwise, is a snob. Its even on the front cover of the Toy Camera Handbook:
Location: Milton, ON Gender: Male Total Likes: 507 likes
Sieg oder Tod
| |
Re: Kiev 6c < Reply # 19 on 11/21/2011 3:21 PM > | Reply with Quote
I have a Keiv 88, solid camera, but a bit light-leaky. The lens is sharp so there's that.
But if you're looking at 645 camera, Bronica, Mamiya are the way to go, also look at the pentax 645 system, it's what I use, excellent camera and solid lenses behind it also.