dale_dickerson2

Andrew,

 

I am one of the few local tlr users, the Rollei wide and tel are on my wish list. The 600x series is my main stay due to the cost difference of the tlr and the otics for the 600x.

 

At some point I will have tel and wide not as jewels to collect but for shooting weddings. It will be about 2 years, when my equipment cycle hits the point where it fits my budget. I will forgo a camera upgrade cycle on the 600x series to do it. As a person who prefers the Rollei tlr, it will cut into the profit line, but sometimes on a long day a tlr is simply more relaxing to use and worth it to me.

The Kiev 88 in the photograph is older and I would not expect this camera to work well out of the box. Even if unused, it has been setting for over 6 years. I know because the lens does not have the newer label of Arsat. You might need to have a cla on the camera before use. It would be wise to count on adding $150 plus postage to the price of the camera for a cla. If you need a place for a cla, I know two very fine repairmen in NJ and NYC who can make a Kiev 88 work very well. They may even have a Kiev 88 that they could sell you.

 

The QC at the factory on a standard Kiev 88 was none, this version has not been made in over two years. It was put together and sold. It was up to the dealer to make sure it worked and was adjusted. That is why many people trash this camera. It needed cla before use and using it straight out of the factory was a long shot at best.

 

Let me know what you do.

I like and prefer using a Rolleiflex tlr. I looked at the cost of a wide and tele versions. S0 I purchased a used 6008 with a 80mm, 50mm and 150mm for less then the cost or either. So there I am shooting a wedding with a 2.8c and the 6008. Prices are crazy on this stuff.

Eric,

 

Rollei is using Zeiss on the 600X lenses, the RF lenses and 80mm TLR. Schneider on the tlr wide. I do not know about the point and shoot cameras.

 

My question about Hassy is why did they not use Zeiss, but Fuji on the 645? For me the point of the Hassy or Rollei is the German optics. Does Hassy being owned by a company for China play into the choice of Fuji?

Kornelius-

 

I heard the same story for a friend in Kiev this past May. I asked where he heard it and he was would not tell me. Nice to here it directly from you.

 

 

The TLR uses a Schneider 50mm. Interesting that they dropped Schneider for the SLR line.

 

Is the Tele TLR using Zeiss or Schneider? Anyone know...

If you need f2.8 get one, other wise a f3.5 is smaller and lighter. Wide open the 3.5 is usually sharper, but after f4 I call it even. I have used 2.8 and 3.5 E models. I like the 2.8 with 800 portra for wedding services and times when 2.8 is needed. Other wise, I perfer a 3.5 for the weight.

 

If I am traveling and know the subject will be in bright light, I use an Automat with a 3.5 Xenar.

The ttl is an averaging meter, which is center weighted. This means the light meter reads the light on the whole viewing screen, but the center area counts more then the edges.

 

The ttl\spot will work like the above meter or by pressing a button read only a small area marked as you looked at the screen. The spot is 5% of the image area. This is helpful for backlight conditions or situations where you need to expose correctly for some object in the frame.

 

The Kiev 88 in good working order is a good tool. I use it, a Rolleiflex 2.8c and a Rolleiflex 6008. The Kiev 88 in good working order is not a Rollei, but the camera will produce high quality images.

visit my web site: http://www.artisticweddingphoto.com/ It is a mix of Rolleiflex tlr, 6008 and Kiev 88 images. Real prints would tell you more, but even then other seasoned MF professional photographers do not always get the prints matched to the correct optics.

Yes and No

 

The Keiv 88Cm will take Kiev lenses, Carl Zeiss Jena lenses and Schneider lenses. They are nice optics.

 

The TTL and TTL/Spot meter is not the best, but does an accurate job.

 

With care and a good example they can do very good work.

 

I would buy from KievCamera.com the Kiev 88Cm and avoid the older models if there is no offer to replace camera or repair should the camera fail to work. QC has not always been there on these camera. So you need someone who will stand behind the camera they sell.

 

A good working Kiev 88CM is really a good value, but a bad one is a terror.

The SL66 is the one with a focal plane shutter. The SLX and 6000 series are electronic leaf shutters. A cable release in the lens would need to have an extra system to go back to the camera body to trip the electronic shutter.

 

If you want to test the smoothness of the system, lock up the mirror and set the camera for double exposure. You will not feel the motor drive working only the shutter firing and the mirror return. Even used normal with the motordrive working, and mirror down the camera will perform very smooth.

Not sure about the deleted stuff, but many of the SLX second version are still in use. The camera optic is the same as the current version. The only difference is in the shutter speeds and the automatic setting links with the 6000 series camera.

 

Enjoy and happy light drawing!

The Contax lenses are Zeiss optics, produced in Germany and assembled in Japan. The optics are equal to new Hasselblad 6x6 or Rollei Zeiss lenses. You might find some difference between the three due to the age of the lens design, but all three are made to the same standards.

 

In 645 using Zeiss optics, the choice is the Contax or a Rollei with a 645 back.

 

The only negative I ever hear about the Contax is not the optics, but the battery usage. You should be very happy with the optics. They should perform to the stardards you are use to having with the Hassy.

Steve,

I respect your camera choice. Please to not attack my choice. I am a Rollei user TLR and SLR. I know the first SLX design had problems, but the second version was much improved.

 

I use a 6008 and finds it better then any Hassy, I have used. However that is personal option.

 

I do wish Rollei had more service centers in the USA. But living in NY, my turn around time is fast.

 

The prices on Rollei cameras is amazingly low and a great time to buy.

Kelly,

 

Of the lenses and cameras I have used the sharpest mf standard lens and with uniform sharpness center to edge at f3.5-f22 is the 3.5E 75mm Xenotar. It is an amazing lens. It is great for the details of a brides wedding dress.

Doug,

 

My Xenar on a Rolleiflex and one on a Rolleicord are sharp, but soft at the edge at 3.5. 4 and 5.6 creamy sharp, f8 on very sharp every where. The lenses date 53 and 55. I have not seen a eastern lens equal the performance of the Xenar. Some have come close.

 

For soft focus outside, I use a Rolleicord II with a CZJ Triotar.

 

Soft filters and special effects filters do not give the same look. If I need sharp at 2.8-5.6 I use a Planar or Xenotar.

If I want uniform sharpness at all f stops, I use a 3.5E Xenotar.

 

Each optic design has its plus side and negatives. The question is what look do you want or need.

2.8c Planar vs 3.5 Tessar is the main question. It is how and what you want to do with the camera. For example at 5.6 a Tessar will produce a lovely portrait of a women, but not be ideal for a building or large group portrait.

 

If you shoot mostly at f2.8 or f4 and want very sharp images with round not pentagon shapes in the brokeh, the planar is a better choice.

I have a range of Rollei cameras from a 6008 to a number of tlrs. The 2.8c is my favorite tlr design. The optics are wonderful. You will or should be very pleased with the optics.

 

The 35mm piece on the side of the camera is built in on this model. I did not think is can be removed. On most models it was an add on and easy to add or remove.

 

If by entry level you mean your first mf tlr, you are looking at one great camera to use. If you mean entry level, the low end Rollei models then the 2.8C is not really an entry level Rolleiflex model. It is the highest end tlr middle 1950s model. I would recommend the camera and even by 2003 standards the images will be high end.

 

I agree about the screen up grade being worth it at some point.

 

This camera has many feature, I prefer to my later E and F models of the tlr. I am a professional wedding photographer and use the model 2.8c during the wedding services and at other point. It used not as a back up for the 6008, but along side the 6008. It is the camera I carry on personal trips. It is one great work horse. Few 50 year old cameras work, this model is up to heavy use and will still make many new mf camera's optics look second class.

 

Get a good light meter, a sun hood, and enjoy!

 

Happy light drawing,

 

Dale

Question:"I put the color in the old standard. I have since read that a) 400ASA film in mf doesn't show grain til blown up to 8x11; and b) the '30s flex doesn't have coated color-correcting lenses, and the '50s cord does. Is this true, and if so, what do color prints look like without the coated lenses?"

 

The Tessar uncoated should do nice with color film. The coating aids in lowering flair and that means a higher contrast level. However modern lenses with so many air spaces can have as much flair as the uncoated Tessar with fewer air spaces between lens elements.

 

I like the images made with these lenses at 5.6 for portraits and f11 for other use.

 

PLease keep us posted on the results.

"they had no demo Rollei. The guy told me they are poorely constructed and they do not want to have their customers look at them."

 

That is a bold face lie. Do not listen to that salesperson.

 

The 6008Af is very well built.

Contax II with 1.5/50mm or a Kiev 4am with 1.8/52mm or Rollei 35S.

The Xenotar and the Planar in the 3.5 are very sharp. I am not clear on why you want to do the switch. If you want it changed talk to Oceanside Camera Repair in CA.

 

If you are wanting a 3.5E with Xenotar contact me off list.

The truth is the 120mm lens is sharp at all distances. At close distances it very very sharp.

 

I would recommend the 150mm. It is very useful general portrait work focal length. As you use it you can see if the longer or shorter lens might be useful. The 250mm is a lens to think about to buy after the 150mm.

 

With any of these lenses the problem is being to sharp for photography of women. You might think about a Zeiss softar 1 to keep the details sharp, but smooth out the skin.

I regularly use Portra 160 at iso 80. It will handle three stop over exposure. The film should print well. The color hue will be a bit more vivid. I know people who like the color and shoot it at iso 40. please let me know how you like the color.

A Kiev 60 in proper adjustment is a good camera. I have a full frame fisheye, 45mm, 50mm, 60mm, 80mm, 120mm, 180mm and 300mm that perform a hair less then my Rollei lenses. For the whole lot, I have less money tied up in that complete system then in the body of my 6008. I have a 50mm, 80mm and 150mm for my Rollei.

 

I find it a great back up system and supplement.

Additional comments on the lenses:

 

The CZJ lenses in MC and all black are very nice. Good example of each are very sharp and great contrast. Add a Kiev fisheye and you have a great set of lenses. They are not the equal of my Rolleiflex 6000 series lenses, but not that much worse. With careful use, I do mix them in on shoots and the customer do not see the difference. My 120mm and 180mm will not show any difference from the Rollei lenses.

 

The new MC Fisheye from Kiev is not as sharp as the Zeiss version for my Rollei. However a 16x20 print, from a Portra 160nc negative made with the lens stopped down at least 2 stops, is very hard to tell the Zeiss from the Kiev.

I have a Pentacon 6ttl, Kiev 6c and a Kiev 60. I find no use USA source to work on the Exakta 66. They need to go to Germany, so I do not recommend it.

 

The Pentacon 6ttl is older. It is possible to find a good working model. Its weakness is the advance arm. You need to let it return slowly and steady movements, with no stop starts. Screen is dark and needs the ttl or a new screen for wl use.

 

The Kiev 6c is a bit odd with a left hand shutter release.

 

The Kiev 60 new might need adjusting of the film space. If the spacing is correct. It is a very good performing model. Its down side is 120 only. The others take 220.

 

The new mc Kiev 60's lens is very close to the mc Biometar lens. If you get the Kiev 60 try the lens. The only upgrade on a normal lens I recommend is the Xenotar 2.8/80mm, but the price will be more then you pay for a new Kiev 60 kit and the improvement in quality is not that much. A mc Biometar is worth it, if you have an middle 90s Kiev 60 or older. (Production stopped in the middle 90s and resumed about a year ago.) Current production Kiev lenses are mc on all elements and so close to the late 80s mc Biometar as to be for most all uses its equal.

 

 

I recommend a mint Pentacon 6ttl or current production Kiev 60.