Purchasing from KievUsa or Arax

<p>I am considering purchasing a 6x6 from either KievUsa or Arax and was wondering what others' experiences have been concerning both the camera and the purchase from either dealer. Thank you.</p>

<p>Arax is very well recommended. See <a href="http://www.rickdenney.com/The_Kiev_Report/Kiev_report_webpage.htm">http://www.rickdenney.com/The_Kiev_Report/Kiev_report_webpage.htm</a></p>

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<p>Luis - I bought an Arax 60 a few years ago. Good camera for the money. The lens range is very good, I had the 80mm which is very sharp. Unfortunately it broke when my cat pulled the bag off a high shelf but otherwise it was a well made camera.</p>

<p>I also have Arax equipment. The seller is a fine gentleman.<br>

Do not forget that any service you may need in the future will likely amount to the price of a new body (since they are low already).</p>

<p>My experience with the Kiev60 a few years ago was entirely bad. Poorly machined lens mount; no proper frame spacing mechanism; no mirror arrester to stop the mirror bouncing down during exposure; intermittent flash firing; poor shutter speed accuracy; iffy lens quality; body made of such thin material you could cut yourself on it .... etc, etc.</p>

<p>Unless the camera has been <strong>completely</strong> redesigned and re-engineered since then, I wouldn't touch another one with a 10 foot pole. Get a Yashi'mat or Mamiya 645 and you won't regret it.</p>

I've been using an Arax 60 for about 8 years with no problems.

<p>If you like a tightly fit camera with high end finish and a name to brag with then step away. But if you like a decent picture maker with the opportunity to use some of the greatest lenses made and that sounds like triggering a Kalashnikov when you advance to the next frame then Comrade, this is the camera for you. Sure, it isn't a Hasselblad but the Arax 60 is a reliable camera for an extremely low price. What else does one need? The people of Arax are really good and responsive, payment is a bliss and I got the gear pretty fast too.</p>

<p>I've been using a Kiev 6C purchased from eBay for around 8 months with no issues. As long as you follow the instructions, and treat it right, it works really well. I'd definitely recommend a Kiev. As for Arax or KievUSA, I would go with Arax. They seem to have a better reputation.</p>