Informative and entertaining as always. Thanks, Ari. Glad to see you put a bit more work into the book stacking! Felt like you might have been phoning it in the last few weeks.
Can't stop trying to calculate the vertical line that goes throught all those books on the piano in such a way that they do not fall. Great video. Love the comparison with old cars.
My first film camera was Pentacon Six. I heard a lot about issues with this camera, but I bought it from another photographer who cares about it. And my pentacon was in excellent condition. I photographed near 60 rolls of film and have perfect film transport, all shutter speeds works and no light leaks. And Kiev-60 is good maintainable too. Just need to know good repairer =)
Great video! I have the camera, but it's a1990 model (KIEV 6C TLC) for two years now with MIR-38B f3.5/65 LENS which is excellent. You got my interset on VOLNA now. By the way, I don't have any issues with the frames. It is a very nice and impressive camera design wise. Just for the history, this camera was used by the Soviet cosmonauts when they met with the American astronauts back in 1975 (Apollo-Soyuz mission). Of course the specific camera was made by titanium.
Hello . Great review . I have the kiev 60 for a year . It's really a great And reliable camera . Also the volna3 is a beautiful lens and it's swirly bokeh is very nice and fantastic . I found two two issue with this camera and Soviet lens . The firs thing is that the aperture is prone to oil that is not a great issue. The second thing as you mentioned is the frame overlapping . But i found a tested solution for this . First on loading film set the mark 1.5 cm after than the red mark . Second and more important is that when rewind the film , hold the rewind lever . Lrt it to Back half the way and then push it again . You hear two to three clicks And then release it . it really works . Regards . Mohammad
Thanks. And thanks for the tip. Mine actually have currently a very reliable film transport just but cranking it all the way and then returning the film advance lever carefully back - not releasing it. But hey, I believe these are all individuals and need their own tricks. :-)
I bought a Kiev 60 off Ebay last year. Description stated that it was in excellent condition. Frame counter doesn't work and the film speed select was hard to read because the green and yellow paint on the marker was almost, if not all the way, worn out. There was a little bit of green for the ISO side I could barely see under magnification. Now that I got that figured out, I keep it set around 400 and shoot that. The camera does not have a frame overlapping problem. It's the complete opposite. There's so much space between frames, I only get 11 exposures instead of 12. Also, the light meters in the prism viewfinders are usually not accurate. Use the sunny 16 (cloudy 8) rule instead. Definitely, not in excellent condition. But overall, I'm pleased with the camera. Has a nice lens.
I have two. A 6C And a 60. I forgot I don't know why I have two? oh. maybe spare parts. I don't know. I simply love these cameras. If you like yours, the 6C gets even better by putting the trigger button on the left on the front. The left? Every time you try to catch 'the moment' photo, it says 'No.' I describe to people with Soviet cameras it's like driving things backward without logic. But. It makes you love it. It's a joy to shoot with. It takes great images. Also: If your blind this camera is for you. The dials are big. You don't have to worry about getting it stolen. The big Achilles heel as you said is the frame advancement overlapping. But. With it's basic operation and ode to not take things seriously. It makes it fun to lug around and shoot. Great videos.
Such an unexpected variation on the "International" hymn, and it suits so neatly to the theme of the video! This Kiev was the first medium format I tried back in 1988. I still have some good images from that time. It seemed so advance and lovely at the time, comparable to my today's appreciation of Hasselblad.
Film transport issues are generally caused by allowing the cocking lever to spring back under its spring tension, it should be returned to its resting position slowly, according to my repair guy. I hope this helps.
I shoot with three different Kiev 4 cameras. Each one has its own quirk. The overlapping frame is the surprise in one of them, and another has a shutter issue that leaves a horizontal streak on the negative reliably on every other photo. the third one is quite perfect for now. Yet I love them all. I want one of these.
I have know about the Kiev 60 and 88 for decades but never got around to trying them. Then a few years ago I got some Medium Format GAS and after picking up a Bronica and Yashicamat, I saw a Kiev 60 for a price I could not pass up. Have only run a couple rolls thru it so far but they turned out fine. Got a CZ 50 and found out there is a minor mod you have to do to mount a true P lens to it. Looking forward to that adventure. While not exactly a "quirky" camera, it IS different. I think you summed it up well, get a good camera for proper use, then indulge in this for fun. The process of photography is as important as the results for the hobbyist.
Just got a Kiev 60 and a Pentacon six. Comparing them side by side, I love the Kiev 60 because of the fresnel groundglass and split focusing circle. The camera is probably the easiest to use comparing to all other medium format film cameras I've tried. The overall quality is fantastic. If you have it adjusted and modified by professionals, the camera will be extremely reliable and durable. So I have to disagree, because to me, it has met all the requirements you listed.
I'm new to this channel, and I think I missed the point in the remark @5:50. :) Another point I'd like to make is the stark difference as far as the infatuation with Russian lenses and film cameras in the west (as if they were really that special, they're just much cheaper today) and their ubiquitousness in the former Soviet Union, including my country, is concerned. These FEDs, ZENITs, KIEVs and other stuff are mostly on offer for sale, and, talking of FEDs and ZENITs, on every corner in every town, and you'd have to wait for a long time to come across a classified where somebody wants to buy any of these, except for some rare specific lenses. A local re-seller is currently selling a Kiev 6C (I've got a Kiev 60) and lenses: Kiev 6C EUR 90, Jupiter-36B 3,5/250 for EUR 100, Mir-3B 3,5/65 for EUR 100, Mir-38B for EUR 80, Vega-12B 2,8/90 for EUR 70 plus complete accessories. There's simply no local market for these, everyone uses a Sony mirrorless or a Canon or Nikon dSLR and is happy as a lark, really. I don't mean to speak for everyone but these cameras are not picked up for photography anymore, you just add them to your collection of cameras, and then it slowly becomes a liability instead of an asset: they need servicing and repairs (they already needed servicing and adjustments in mint condition, and this occurs with modern cameras as well), and their parts are getting increasingly less available (even simple things like dark slides, and you even need a camera mount adapter for Soviet cameras for compatibility with modern monopods/tripods) while labour and especially the whole photographic process from start to finish costs increasingly more.
Excellent introduction of Kiev 60…need to get my hand on it some time….The Internationals isn’t a product of Paris Commune? Anyway it goes really well with Kiev 60. Cheers.
I started with the Yashica mat 124g and a couple of months later I got the kiev 60 for a really good price!! My copy is working fine!! It doesn't have spacing issues and the mechanics work great!! I guess I got lucky!!
Very emotional and fun video. In fact, this camera had a prism with measuring light (TTL version). In should be addad, that her mirror and shutter clicks with the sound of a shot (vibrations!). However, careful testing of the optics shows that it is far from the quality of the Zeiss )) I also have this camera and I shoot videos. But even in my mind I did'nt dare to make a video about her. And after your video it's harder even to do.
I have many times been tempted to buy a Kiev or Arax but then bought a Pentax 67 at a great price and don't use it that much, so I have crossed off Soviet Medium Format SLRs from my shopping list. When the 67 crosses the Kodachrome Bridge, I'll find something less massive to replace it.
Great video Ari! 👍 But it makes my choices harder. 🙂 I have been considering for a while getting a Pentacon six but I have hesitated when I thought about the film transport issues, the weight and the vibrations caused by the moving mirror. I completely get that you like this camera a lot and why. If you had to make a choice between the Kiev and the Pentacon, would you still go for the Kiev?
The only (and very significant) reason to buy the Kiev-60 instead of the pentacon-six is the focusing screen in pentacon. It's just unrealistically dark. It's very difficult to focus, especially indoors. I sold my pentacon-six many years ago and I don't regret it. A couple of years ago, I purchased an Kiev-6c in good condition, but there is a problem with exposures shorter than 1/250. Nevertheless, I use it periodically and I can assure you that it is a pleasant experience.
I love your wife not allow you to wear that shirt in public. Some RU-vidrs make great videos and some shoot great images. You do both! Love the sailboat image. I am curious what lens was used in some of those photos, they look fisheye?
Both kiev 88 and 60 have been on my wishlist for a long time. There's just something about the eastern systems. Love my fed 3 and 5. My fed 3 is a hybrid I compiled from two different half working cameras. They were different fed 3 models to boot. I have spend way more time tinkering with them than shooting.
I have a Volna 3 on my Kiev 88 (with the appropriate mount of course) and I really like it, it really takes nice pictures. The only problem is the aperture blades are a little sticky and don't always close reliably so I usually close them manually using the lever on the lens before taking a picture. I should take it apart and clean the aperture but I have not had the time so far. Otherwise the Kiev has been reliable, no light leaks and no overlapping frames. The shutter did have some malfunctions at first, probably because of the lubricants drying or maybe there was dust or something in the mechanism, but after some "exercise" it has been working ok for many rolls. I can actually get 13 shots in a roll of film just by shooting one more picture after the frame counter goes blank after frame 12. The Soviet cameras have their charm, I have several, the Kiev 88, a couple of Zorki's, and a couple of Zenits (I think a Zenit is a great option for first film camera if on budget, cheap, fairly reliable and very durable with some nice lenses like the Helios 44 available at a reasonable cost). I also have a Fotosnaiper which is a great camera if you want to draw attention. They are heavy and clunky but I like the mechanical feel and cool retro looks they have and the challenge of learning to use them. For finesse, quality and reliability I take one of my Pentaxes or, if shooting medium format, my Flexaret, for fun and slightly unpredictable results I take one of the soviet cameras. I usually use the prism finder on my Kiev because it makes the camera even heavier, bulkier and more weird looking which for me adds to the fun. :) Also I find it easier to use for my eyesight as to use a waist level finder I have to take off my glasses (I can't see well close up with them) and use the magnifier lens for accurate focusing.
Hello ! I had one, back in the day. Shot one film with it and got overlapping frames. Gave it back to the seller and got a Bronica instead. Sad story because I liked how it looked and the few images I shot with it were sharper than a knife.
@@ShootOnFilm I like to compare using vintage cameras to driving a classic car. You know you'll have some issues but they are so much cooler ! Maybe i'll make a video about that on my channel !
Very nice review! I have a Kiev 60. It was my first 120 camera. Bought on eBay with full accessories and case. I like the camera and shoot some rolls but broke the advance mechanism 🤔. So I it it on the shelf and buy buy Rolleicord, Yashica and Autocord. They are fine cameras but are all gone. Then I decided one month ago and 10 years later to send my Kiev to Arax to full refurbish. Gevorg is a fantastic guy, total cost was 160 euros including shipping back. It work like a charm!! Totally recommended!
Interestingly enough the Arsenal factory in Kiev does not state on their web site that they produce any kind of photographic equipment. Are they still doing it?
Have you ever used the lomography fisheye camera? I recently bought one for around 15 pounds and am still putting my first roll through it, there aren't many in depth reviews on it, it seems like a camera you might find interesting
I've got a LaSardina -- but not a proper fish eye. I have a fisheye for my Holga though. In the same territory, I assume. Isn't that Lomo Fisheye a 35mm film camera?
@@ShootOnFilm yes it's a 35mm camera, it's super tiny and unassuming so good for street photography! Using it feels in a similar vein to using the Holga for certain
This is a difficult question. For a beginner - a true beginner- the most important thing is that the camera works. Simply works. In this respect these are almost the worst possible choices. Sorry. Maybe 166? I wouldn’t choose a Kiev as my first camera ….
The A-part for the film transport is tricky. And the internal reflections need some matt paint. But, yes, you are right! Until it break again a few weeks later. Like my film advance lever just fell off. It was pretty easy to fix, but still. The off-center screw in it had fallen off. It was still inside the handle, but off so the advance didn't work. It works now. Took me like 15 min to fix :-)
I've recently replaced my Pentacon Six with a Kiew 60 because I wanted to keep on using my Pentacon Six lenses (50mm, 80mm, 180mm). I try to avoid overlapping with slightly moving the film lever more than once when I reached the end of the movement (if this makes sense)
Cool! For some Kievs that seems to work. In mine, if I do that, I get 10 - 11 frames on a roll. Mine needs to be cranked all the way and the released slowly back. Once.
I have the ARAX-60 (as well as 8 Kiev-88s) and the 60 is the most fun. I have never liked the 6x6 format (which is actually 58mmx58mm) because of the wasted area when you make an 8x10 prints. 645 is a joke too. To maintain "Ideal Format" it should be 1.25Xs 58mm which it never is.
And to me, and to all my prints, a square is the way to go. To me, it feels the most natural. It doesn't force a direction -- it just is. No portrait, no landscape, but your picture defines the tension. To me, a square is the most neutral aspect ratio and I compose maybe 80% of my pictures as squares. But then again, there are different tastes :-)
In stead of overlapping, mine has decided to have enormous space between each frame so I only get 11 shots on one roll. Still better than overlapping, though! :-)
Me too. Fascinating stuff. So different and sort of a mirror to the system and society. First, KIEVs are not Russian, they are made in Ukraine -- so Soviet, yes, Russian no. And no other MF SLRs come to mind. Other MF cameras, like Moskva, yes, but no SLR. There may be some, but I don't know ....
I would not recomed to buy a arax stuff. I bought one from ebay it was not a arax60 but kiev88CM. I send it to arax because shutter was stuck then they repayred it and made ''CLA''. When I got it from arax repair camera had bad lightleaks. It was already repaired and with new lightseals. I payed for repair around 250 euros. You can buy another camera for it. They said you can send it back to repair agian for free but the experience was furstrating with this camera. I think they make even worse models than they were produced in soviet union. One thing is better with kiev60 than kiev88 that you dont have a removable film back wich is ussaly is leaking.
