ed_lau

go to the following web site: http://www.arsenal-photo.com/

When your there, e-mail the owner Boris and ask him for if he has the hood for the 50mm Carl Zeiss Jena lens in stock?

I recently purchased a used one from him in a condition of 8 or very good. The prices is about $50 (USD) plus $30 extra for shipping.

The B&W company of Germany also sells a 86mm Wide angle shade that is only made on a special order basis. The price is about $85.(USD). It takes 6 to 12 weeks to get delivery from Schnieder of Germany.

Ed

Wanted: the OLD Kiev 60 System Manual that was written, published and

sold by David Anderson of the old Kiev Report.

I'll pay for a original copy or a good photo copy.

Ed Lau

E-Mail = ELAU632855@AOL.COM

Alan Dale,

is correct, the Cambron Pro Six is a Kiev 88 with a different lable. It either has a standard Kiev 88 lens mount or a Pentacon Six lens mount. Seeing that the word SIX is within the relabled name, I would think, it's the later lens mount.

Anyway, I heard the same when you deal mail order with Cambridge Camera Exchange. Most people have some sort of problem with them. They have the highest amount of complaints logged against them with New York City Comsumer Affairs Department, for a camera store. I have delt with them in person and have received good service in the past year. In fact I've heard from others that dealing with them when you actually walk into their store, you don't have a problem, but via mail order, they always screw you.

Anyway, as for purchaseing a Kiev 88 camera, I highly suggest, Kiev/USA in CT. KIEV/USA rebuilds their NEW Kiev cameras and includes a Full 1 Year Warranty. The price is about the same as the Cambron Pro Six setup.

Kiev/USA has a web site at: KIEVUSA.COM

Best of Luck

Ed Lau

Alan Dale,

is correct, the Cambron Pro Six is a Kiev 88 with a different lable. It either has a standard Kiev 88 lens mount or a Pentacon Six lens mount. Seeing that the word SIX is within the relabled name, I would think, it's the later lens mount.

Anyway, I heard the same when you deal mail order with Cambridge Camera Exchange. Most people have some sort of problem with them. They have the highest amount of complaints logged against them with New York City Comsumer Affairs Department, for a camera store. I have delt with them in person and have received good service in the past year. In fact I've heard from others that dealing with them when you actually walk into their store, you don't have a problem, but via mail order, they always screw you.

Anyway, as for purchaseing a Kiev 88 camera, I highly suggest, Kiev/USA in CT. KIEV/USA rebuilds their NEW Kiev cameras and includes a Full 1 Year Warranty. The price is about the same as the Cambron Pro Six setup.

Kiev/USA has a web site at: KIEVUSA.COM

Best of Luck

Ed Lau

Alan Dale,

is correct, the Cambron Pro Six is a Kiev 88 with a different lable. It either has a standard Kiev 88 lens mount or a Pentacon Six lens mount. Seeing that the word SIX is within the relabled name, I would think, it's the later lens mount.

Anyway, I heard the same when you deal mail order with Cambridge Camera Exchange. Most people have some sort of problem with them. They have the highest amount of complaints logged against them with New York City Comsumer Affairs Department, for a camera store. I have delt with them in person and have received good service in the past year. In fact I've heard from others that dealing with them when you actually walk into their store, you don't have a problem, but via mail order, they always screw you.

Anyway, as for purchaseing a Kiev 88 camera, I highly suggest, Kiev/USA in CT. KIEV/USA rebuilds their NEW Kiev cameras and includes a Full 1 Year Warranty. The price is about the same as the Cambron Pro Six setup.

Kiev/USA has a web site at: KIEVUSA.COM

Best of Luck

Ed Lau

Hi there,

I have two Kiev 88's. One has a standard bronze colored metal shutter and the other has a cloth shutter. I have NEVER had any flare from the metal shutter.

The cloth shutter is quiter and looks more modern. Either choice is a good one.

The $499.00 Kiev/USA kit is a great deal considering it has a full one year warranty. Try to get something like that from any other Russian Camera Dealer.

And the most inportant thing about Kiev/USA is that they can be fully trusted to Honor & stand behind that 1 year warranty, no matter how many times the equipment is sent in.

Ed Lau

That fellow at that web site, is Mike Fourman. He is based out of Atlanta Georgia

in the USA. He sells UNMODIFIED Kiev 88kits for $350. and Kiev 60 Kits for

$200. with a 3 month warranty. The KEY word is that his items are UNMODIFIED

and the LACK of quality control from the Kiev factory is built in free.

Be careful before you buy. A $350 or $200 great bargin now, could mean

a $200 to $350 repair bill after the 3 month warranty is gone.

Ed

Yes, additional glass with a single coating or a multicoating will reduce flare and even enhance contrast. Plus a good lens hood will help too. I've NEVER heard anyone saying that they had better results when shooting WITHOUT any type of coated filter or multicoated filter.

Ed

Hi there,

About a year ago, I purchased a Kiev 250mm F3.5 lens for my Kiev 88 camera.

The lens was made in 1994 and the single coating was SO LIGHT or THIN, that at certain angles when you looked at the glass, the lens looked uncoated.

The only reason, that I didn't exchange the lens was because the actual lens elements were SO POLISHED and CLEAR. The internal parts were so well rebuilt by Kiev/USA that I knew the lens something special. I purchased a Hoya Multicoated Skylight 1B filter and screwed it on. I then shot some pictures on a bright sunny and very glaring day. The results were NO glare or flare or even loss of contrast at all. In fact when I sent out the color slides for Ilforchrome

enlargements, the lab had to mask the color slide film, because the contrast was too high.

Just by a Hoya Multicoated Filter or even a Hoya Super Multicoated Filter.

It's the next best thing.

Ed Lau

Cambron / Cambridge 500mm F8.0 Preset Telephoto Lens for Kiev 88

This is 500mm Samyang ( Korean/Japanese ) lens with a German made Zorkendorf Lens Adapter ( Kiev 88 mount ) attached in place of the standard T-Mount assembly. The Lens has more than enough optical coverage for a 645 film format, but not enough for a 6 x 6 format. The lens can be purchased to fit other brands of medium format cameras, such as Pentax, Mamiya, Hasselblad, Rollei etc. The price of the lens with the Zorkendorf Lens Adapter is $399.00 regardless of which lens mount you choose. I don�t believe the lens mounts are adaptable or changeable like 35mm Tamron brand lens. You can't purchase various mounts. It's one lens to one mount for $399. For all the American readers, YES this is the lens that you see advertised every month in Popular Photography Magazine, Cambridge Camera Exchange Camera Store.

The actual lens is worth $99. thru $129. ( USD ). The difference in price $300 to $270. is for the Zorkendorf lens adapter assembly. I tried to contact the Zorkendorf company directly via e-mail, U.S. mail and phone. The company never retuened any of my messages. From what I found out later, the Zorkendorf company does not deal with retail customers, only with large whole

sale orders. The Zorkendorf company mainly makes special effects equipment for the European Film Industry.

Yes, I do have the Cambridge 500mm lens with Zorkendorf adapter. I have it in a Kiev 88 mount and the lens produces nice results. Or should I say very nice for a $399. medium format 500mm lens. As for the Cambride Camera Store, I purchased the item directly from them, I walked in and asked to purchase the lens, it took them 3 weeks to order the Kiev 88 mount. Anyway, I have heard alot of complaints about Cambridge Camera Mail Order Service. However there never seems to be a problem if you walk into the store. I guess their afraid that if they cheat you right to your face, you might come back and punch them in their faces.

Ed

Here's another place for Kiev 88 cameras. I was told this place is in Germany. It's called "Fhoto Tech " !

Http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/fotowiese/

Pentacon bodies and lens are no longer made. Everything that is in the current market is used and from the late 1980s or earlier. The bodies are well built, some frame spacing problems. The Pentaprism was very dark. Lens are excellent for lens made during the 1980's and 1970s era. The new model or camera that replaced the Pentacon 6 is the Exacta 66 model III. The body with a Pentaprism cost about $1400. (USD).

Lens are made by Schenider of Germany. Lens prices run from $800 thru $7000. (USD). For this price range, you could purchase a Pentax 6 X 7 camera ( New or Used )

A lower price camera instead of the Pentacon 6 would be the Kiev 60. This is a currently made camera with the same Lens Mount as the Pentacon 6. Sells brand new with a 80mm lens, Brighter Prism Finder from $200 thru $600 (USD). Camera is made in Russia. Lens are in the same league as the Pentacon lens of the 1980's. Plus since it's still currently made, getting repaired is very easy. Check out the following web sites for more info and prices.

www.kievusa.com

http://www.dedal.cz/optics/medium_format_cameras.htm

Ed Lau

E-Mail = ELAU632855@AOL.COM

Tidbit facts on buying Kiev 88 cameras and accessories.

Hello again everyone!

Here are some additional facts on buying Kiev 88 cameras / lens and accessories.

Film backs:

120 Film backs for the Kiev 88 come in two types, 6 x 6 and 645 formats.

The price range sells from $50. Through $225. Some with warranties and a lot with nothing but perhaps a 1 to 7 day exchange policy, depending were and who you purchase from. Most of the time, when you purchase a film back separately or you get some within a Kiev 88 camera kit. There will be frame spacing problems and light leaks between the actual film back and the rear of the Kiev 88 camera body. Sometimes the back may not fully lock on tightly to the Kiev 88 camera. Which as a result will case light leaks, film advance problems and frame spacing problems. Each Kiev 88 body and film backs are unique and different to each other. If it makes you feel better, you can say each one is custom made to have its own personality. In the past all of my Kiev 88�s were the old ball relatives that came to visit and over stayed their welcome. Anyway, I have two Kiev 88 bodies. One has two 6 x 6 film backs that I had Kiev/USA (repair center) fix. These two backs have NO frame spacing problems or light leaks now. I also have a Kiev 645 back that worked with that same previous body, but the frame spacing was very tight ( about 1 mm between frames ). Plus the film and paper backing never wound on evenly on the take-up spool. As a result, the edges of the negatives or slides were always a tiny bit fogged ( light leaks ). When I purchased a second Kiev 88 body the prior two 6 x 6 backs would not lock on tightly to the new body. They would pop off after winding the film knob after frame number two.

When I tried the 645 back on the second / newer body, I could not turn the film knob past frame number 12 and then the back poped off. I then called Kiev/USA and was told that each back has to be adjusted to match one Kiev camera body. At first, I thought this was ______ story to sell more film backs. But later when I examined both my Kiev 88 bodies and backs more closely. I notices that the two locking hooks towards the top and rear back of the Kiev 88 camera body were not equal in distance between my first and second Kiev 88 bodies. The difference in length were maybe 1.5 mm. Also the bottom of the Kiev 88 film backs, there are slots were two hooks from the bottom and rear of the Kiev 88 body latch on to. These two slots on the film back can vary in distance from the edge of the film back by .5 to 1.25mm. This is what Kiev/USA meant when they said each film back must be adjusted to match its Kiev 88 body. Well I then sent the 645 back to Kiev/USA with my New Kiev 88 body for adjustment. When I received it back, the film and paper backing wound on evenly and the frame spacing has been corrected. Plus the back can now fully be advanced through all 16 frames. Lastly the film back locks on very tightly and easily. I also purchased at the same time two new 6 x 6 film backs from them. They said that since they would have my camera body, they would test and adjust the new 6 x 6 film backs at NO-EXTRA charge. The cost to repair the 645 film back was $75.00 with full 1 year warranty. The price of the 6 x 6 New film backs were $125.00 each which includes testing and adjustments if need, as long as you sent your camera to them first. Plus a 1 year full warranty. By the way those two 6 x 6 backs that I purchased from them work perfectly. Their serial number begin with 91 or 1991 year, but they look & work as they were made in 1999. Even the fake leather was glued on evenly.

Film winding crank:

The film winding crank which is attached to the Kiev film winding knob sells between $15.00 thru $150.00. It a nice little accessories, but the Kiev 88 was really not designed for it. Yes it does make the film advance more easier / modern. But since the film crank sits on top of the film winding knob and is over sized in diameter by about 9mm. When you crank the film advance the weight of your hand plus the turning motion of the cranking lifts / pulls the shutter speed selector dial outward as if you were changing the shutter speed. This is due to the film crank and lever have now shifted the weight / motion OFF center of the film advance knob. As you advance the film, the shutter speed selector may slip and change. This happens sometimes if you put too much pressure on the winding lever.

At first, I thought the film crank / winding lever that I purchased was defective, but after a close inspection, I realized what was actually happening. The Russian Camera Exchange told me about this several months ago. I thought he was bad mouthing the film crank product, because he couldn�t get anymore to sell. The Russian Camera Exchange also said the film winding crank puts too much pressure on the film advance gears of the within the camera body. By the way, the film crank is NOT made by the same company that makes the Kiev 88 camera. It made by some third party photographic accessory company. Recently, I did see a modified Kiev 88 with cloth shutter, mirror lock up and film winding crank selling on www.ebay.com auction web site. The different thing about this Kiev 88, was that the film winding crank looked like the one that the Hasselblad 501-CM currently uses. As some of you know, the 501-CM winding crank is SMALLER and folds inside film winding knob. Its ONE unit, as were the Kiev film advance knob and film winding crank are two units that were never designed for each other. If anyone is interested, I have a Jpeg graphic file of this modified Kiev 88 with Hasselblad styled film crank that I can e-mail to you. Was it worth the extra money for me to purchase the film winding crank / lever? It�s nice to have, but I could live with out it.

Kiev Tair 300mm F4.5 Preset Telephoto Lens ( Kiev 88 lens mount )

The Tair lens was made between 1960 - 1970. It was not made for the Kiev 88 but for the Saliut and Saliut-S cameras. These were the Pre-Kiev 88 cameras. The lens mount is exactly the same as the current Kiev 88 bodies.

There exterior of the lens looks like the Carl Zeiss medium format lens of the late 1960�s thru 1970�s. Black with chrome squares around the lens barrel.

My Tair has the serial number starting with 70 or the year 1970. It�s also multicoated and uses 88mm filters. The weight of the lens is 4 pounds 3 oz.

It has a tripod mount and believe me you really need it. When I first took it out of the shipping box, I had mixed feelings about how a 1970 lens would compare to the current Kiev 88 lens that I had which were all made from 1991 thru 1996. However this all changed once I attached the lens to one of my bodies and looked into the view finder. The image was just so clear, crisp, brightm very contrasty and colorerful. In fact it rivials my Kiev 250mm F3.5 lens. What did I pay for the Tair lens. Well first, let me tell you that the condition of the lens on a scale of 1 thru 10, ten being brand new from the factory. This lens is a 9.5. Considering it was made in 1970, it�s in great shape. Yes, once again I purchased it from Kiev/USA. The price was $475.00 which includes a full 1 year warranty.

90 degrees non-meter prism finder

The 90 degrees non-meter prism finder is not made by the same company that makes the Kiev 88 camera. Its made by some company within Russia called I.KOP

It is very solid and weighs twice the weight of the Kiev TTL meter prism finder. It�s not as bright as the Kiev TTL prism finder, but is has more of a complete viewing area than the Kiev TTL prism finder. It also has a shoe to mount a flash on top. The exterior of it looks just like a current Japanese 90 degrees prism finder. The only reason I purchased it was so I could shoot verticals with my 645 film back attached. The price of the 90 degrees prism finder sells between $120.00 thru $200.00. You can find them sometimes on www.ebay.com auction site. Personally, I perfer the Kiev 45 degrees non-meter prism finder. It is the brightest out of all the finders for the Kiev 88 camera. Plus it give a .5X increase in magnifcation. Lastly it�s also VERY light in weight. The price range on this item is about the same as the 90 degrees finder.

Cambron / Cambridge 500mm F8.0 Preset Telephoto Lens for Kiev 88

This is 500mm Samyang ( Korean/Japanese ) lens with a German made Zorkendorf Lens Adapter ( Kiev 88 mount ) attached in place of the standard T-Mount assembly. The Lens has more than enough optical coverage for a 645 film format, but not enough for a 6 x 6 format. The lens can be purchased to fit other brands of medium format cameras, such as Pentax, Mamiya, Hasselblad, Rollei etc. The price of the lens with the Zorkendorf Lens Adapter is $399.00 regardless of which lens mount you choose. I don�t believe the lens mounts are adaptable or changeable like 35mm Tamron brand lens.

For all the American readers, YES this is the lens that you see advertised every month in Popular Photography Magazine, Cambridge Camera Exchange Camera Store. By the way in a prior posting I said that the Cambron Pro Six camera was a relabled Kiev 88 with a Pentacon Six lens mount. After some research, I now believe that it is still a relabled Kiev 88, except that it has a STANDARD Kiev 88 lens mount.

Ed Lau

E-Mail = ELAU632855@AOL.COM

Subj: Re: Kiev 88 Meter Prism Repair

Date: 5/9/99 12:21:04 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: 4season@boulder.net (4Season)

To: ELAU632855@AOL.COM

I have not tried the Kiev 88 or it's meter, but I have aligned the Kiev 60

TTL meter, and for what it's worth, here are my comments:

This is a very simple device to align--that complicated-looking dial is

mostly a mechanical calculator, and it's orientation on the shaft seems to

be what determines alignment, much as re-installing knobs into a hifi set,

in which you want to take some pains to see to it that the pointer actually

points to the "O" markings when the volume's all the way down. Sorry, that's

the best analogy I could think of at the time. To align, turn the shaft

'till it indicates proper exposure, then reposition the knob so that it

indicates the camera settings that you know you should be getting. Verify

for differing film speed and lighting conditions, and if you can get below

maybe 1 stop accuracy throughout, that's probably good. Be warned that the

factory did sometimes use different viewscreens with differing brightness,

and your meter alignment must take this into account. You can easily check

this by inspecting the viewscreen through your Soligor spotmeter. The

tolerances in the lens iris assembly also tends to be kind of iffy, and you

may want to conduct your experiments using the same lens. In some cases, I

found that a 1/2 stop change in iris setting scarcely moved the iris blades

at all.

Hope this helps

Jeff

Does anyone know the name, address, phone number and E-Mail address of the company that manufactures the CURRENT selling Tiltall tripod?

Ed Lau

E-Mail = ELAU632855@AOL.COM

Hi again everyone,

well, I just received my Kiev 88 Meter Prisms back from being repaired.

I had sent two meter prisms to a company call "Roskam Optics", in the county of Netherlands. My first meter prism was made in 1997, to compensate for its inaccruate reading. I always had to open 1 Full F-Stop.

For example: if the 1997 Kiev Meter Prism, said F 8.0 @ 1/60 of a second,

I had to shoot at F 5.6 @ 1/60 to record a normal exposure. The second Kiev Meter Prism was made in 1998. That meter prism if it said F 8.0 @ 1/60 of a second. I had to open two Full F-Stops for a normal exposure. Example: the

correct or compensated setting would be F 4.0 @ 1/60 of a second.

What was I using to judge a NORMAL exposure, a Canon Rebel G, Canon Elan //E, Gossen Luna Pro SBC ( hand held meter ), Soligor Spot Meter.

Both the Canon camera meters gave the exact same exposure settings at various film speeds. The Gossen hand held meter was under the Canon Meters by 1/3 of a F-Stop all the time at various film settings. The Soligor Spot meter was 1/3 to 1/4 of a stop under the Canon camera meters. And yes I know that all of the previous meters are using different meter reading methods. I fully trust the Canon meter readings, as Canon & Nikon meters are the best in the world. All meter readings were done in the same lighting conditions and off a Kodak Gray Card.

Now for the REPAIRED meter results. The 1997 meter now is within 1/3 to 1 / 2 of a F-Stop under the Canon meter. I now need to OPEN 1/3 to 1 / 2

of a stop more to match my Canon meter reading. The 1998 meter is a different story completely. I now have to CLOSE down 1 Full Stop to match the Canon meter reading.

Let me just say that before Dr. Roskam started the work on the meters, he could not guaranty how accruate he could get the meters to work. He did say he would do his best though. He told me early that Kiev Meters depending on the year that it was made, could be adjusted to some degree.

When I mailed the meters to Roskam Optics, It took 2 = weeks to get to Dr. Hans Roskam. Then it took his company another 7-10 days to do the actual repair. The cost was $25.00 ( USD ) for each meter. Then it took a little less

than 2 = weeks to receive the meters back. Shipping each way was U.S. Airmail ( Gobal Priority Service ).

All in all, I don�t think it was worth the time or money. I do trust that Dr. Han Roskam did his best. But since sending away the meters, I got so used to using my Gossen Luna Pro SBC hand held meter. Regardless that it is 1/3 under my Canon camera meter readings. I alway tend to bracket exposures because I mainly shoot Fuji Astia film. The 1997 prism meter will be a decent backup, if my Gossen is not around. As for the 1998 prism meter, perhaps it just a good prism finder. After all this, now I know why the Kiev/USA repair guy said, just compensate the inaccruate exposure reading with the film speed dial on top of the Kiev meter prism. Kiev/USA also said it�s not worth the money to open the meter and attempt to repair it. Panorama camera repair of New York City also said the same exact things.

Well, like I said I�m sure Dr. Hans Roskam did his best.

Below is his E-Mail address if anyone is interested.

Roskam Optics Company

E-Mail Address: roskam@rulsfb.leidenuniv.nl

Best of Luck!

Ed

This is a updated / current web address for Continent Wide of Canada. They sell NEW Kiev 88 kits with a 3 month warranty. Plus I believe they also sell an extended a 1 year warranty for $100 (USD).

I tested the below web address on 4-30-99 and it works.

http://www.continent-wide.com/

Ed Lau E-Mail = ELAU632855@AOL.COM

Wanted: Originial or photo copies of the Kiev Report by David Anderson.

I am looking for the entire set from the first issue to the last issue published. I tried to write David Anderson at 455 Crescent Ave. Buffalo, New York 14214 and at P.O. Box 2555, Plattsburgh, New York 12901. However, my mail just got returned. It seems he lost interest in the Kiev 88 camera. Or perhaps moved up & on to a Hasselblad. By the way, his America Online web page is also gone.

Please E-Mail me you price asking price for your Kiev Reports. Let me know if you have single issues or an entire set.

Ed Lau

E-Mail = ELAU632855@AOL.COM

Hi Greg,

I've heard of B.I.G.-six cameras, but have never delt with them. Please feel free to post any information about that company on any of the web sites were I have posted my story on Kiev 88's. Anyway, I've NEVER heard about a Factory fresh Kiev 88 camera with no problems. If there is one, that must be the .01 Percentage that I wrote of. But if anyone ever did get a problem free Kiev 88, I wish them the best of luck. I've heard that the Kiev 60 has frame spacing problems and the meter is usally off too.

I was thinking of getting a Kiev 60, however the only lens that would interest me would be

a older Carl Zeiss 180mm or a older Meyer 300mm for that camera. But the nice thing about using a Kiev 60 is that you have full acess to the Newer made Schneider lens for the Exakta 66 model III camera. Which has the same exact lens mount of the Kiev 60. But keep in mind that Schneider lens are in the price range of of Current Newer Carl Zeiss lens for Rollei and Hasselblad. There goes the low priced 2 1/4 camera savings.

Best of luck to you.

Ed Lau

By the way everyone. When I get my meter prisms back from Europe,

I'll post who the repair person is. The cost to adjust the Kiev meters

prisms should be about $20 to $25 (USD) each. According to the repair center they have to replace some resistors within meter housing. Anyway to answer a previous question, I've always had to advance the film first on a Kiev 88 before changing the shutter speed.

Ed

The Kiev 88 Camera System

My opinion of a basic buying guide April 18, 1999

The Kiev 88 camera is a very good photographic camera, when it�s rebuilt or recalibated

to Modern Standards of Performance. When I say Modern, I mean what most everyone

expects of a camera when purchased brand new from a camera store or department store.

99.9% of the time, when the Kiev 88 comes out of the factory, it already has frame spacing problems, light leaks between the film back and the rear of the camera body. The exposure meter if it�s within 1 FULL F-Stop, your lucky. Usally it�s 1 = to 2 = F-stops off. When I say off, just compare the exposure reading to a current Canon or Nikon camera or a Gossen hand held meter and you�ll know exactly what I mean. The shutter is also a problem, 1/60 of a second could be 1/80 of a second.

Well now that eveyone�s face is twisted and staring at the computer screen. If you get the camera rebuilt or recalibrated, it will work just fine. The price of this work can run between $200 thru $375 ( USD ). Make sure you get a warranty with the repair. Also there are only a few places in the United States that can really repair a Kiev 88. I�ll have a short list at the end of this story.

Stay away from Kiev 88 equipment prior to 1991. From what I�ve seen, the workmanship was just not that good during the period. The 1996 thru 1999 bodies were better. As for lens, the same also goes. Earlier than 1991 the lens diaphram blades were copper or bronze color, which caused a lot of internal flare. Now I know that a lot of us have heard that the Kiev 88 bodies were the main flare problem. This happens with the early bodies that had no interior black colored flocking. On one of my 1997 Kiev 88 bodies the inside is lined with black velet strips of material that absorb any stray light.

My other 1997 Kiev 88 body is a modified version from Eastern Europe. It has a black colored metal shell that encloses the inside of the camera. I also have the black cloth shutter on this body and the hand crank. Yes the shutter does seem more accruate and more quite that the copper colored metal shutter. By the way the copper color metal shutter is still the factory standard when the camera is purchased brand new. I have NEVER had any flare problems that were due to the copper colored shutter. The hand crank is nice, because it makes the film advance more easier. The crank sells between

$15 and $150. Depending were you buy it from.

Now let�s talk prices. Since I�m in the United States, all prices will be in United States Dollars or USD. Sorry, I too stupid to convert foreign currency amounts.

First, don�t buy a Kiev 88 body used. The current price of a NEW Kiev 88 kit, which includes a body with Kiev 88 lens mount, 80mm lens, two 120 6 X 6 film backs, 1 green/yellow and 1 U/V filter, strap, waist level finder and meter prism finder, sells anywere from $350. thru $450. This 99% of the time does not include a warranty.

What it will include is a 24 to 48 hour exchange policy, if the camera does not work.

A lot of these types of Kiev kits can be purchased on "WWW.EBAY.COM " on the internet. That�s the current internet web site were several russian camera dealers list their items to auction / bid or just for straight sales . Additional NEW 120 film backs sell for about $50 thru $125. Now, since the Kiev 88 when brand new has some problems already. It does not make any sense to purchase a used one from someone eles, when the brand new kit cost between $350 thru $450. The only exception to this rule would be if you get extra lens or film backs in the deal ( working and not defective ). Plus, why buy someones problems. You get your own built in from the factory.

So let�s sum up the above. Purchase a New Kiev 88 kit for $350 thru $450. Have it rebuilt or recalibrated for another $200 thru $375. This brings a New Kiev 88 camera kit

up to a cost between $550 thru $825 with hopefully some type of warranty on the repair service. But remember this camera kit is now a fully functional and modern. So what are the chances if you buy a new or a used kit for $450 or less and hope everything works fine. Humm.. you have a better chance that someone

will die and leave you 10 million dollars tax free. And then you can purchase a Hasselblad and stop reading my boring story. Well for the rest of us, let�s continue.

By the way, I have yet to find a dealer within the United States that will repair a Kiev 88 meter prism. I was told by two different repair centers that the amount of work versus the price that is charged is not worth their time. Currently I�m waiting for two of my meter prisms to be recalibrated / adjusted. I had to send them to Europe.

The real saving in the Kiev 88 camera system is in the lens. I�ve purchased the 30mm, 45mm, 65mm 80mm, 120mm, 150mm, 250mm and a modified 500mm lens all for less than $2500. Now try to do that with any currently made Japanese or European 120 camera system. The quality of the opticals are excellent. They are as good or better than Japanese optics of the mid to late 1980�s. The color tones are close to Carl Zeiss lens of the 1980�s. The sharpness is excellent around F8 thru F11 on the average. The contrast is VERY high too, but not as high as a current Carl Zeiss lens. The exterior of the lens and camera bodies are not as good as a Japanese or European cameras. But for the price, it�s still a bargan.

Now the next item, is the Kiev 88 camera Kits that are sold Brand New and Rebuilt / Recalibrated. Since I�m in the United States, the only place that I know of that sells whole complete Kiev 88 Kits like this and has several in stock ( not just 2 or 4 on the shelf ). Plus specializies in Kiev 88 repairs, is Kiev / USA. By the way, in the past I�ve been accused by several readers that since I always suggest purchasing from Kiev / USA, I must be getting a discount or payoff of some kind. Please believe me, I�ve NEVER received any discount or payment of any kind from Kiev/ USA. I have my American Express and Master Card bills to prove it. The only reason, I suggest them, is that they have the stock / merchandise, repair facilities and most important replacement parts and of course repair people that are trained to repair a Kiev 88. Kiev / USA is in my opinion the most experienced at repairing or servicing Kiev 88�s in the United States. However their the most expensive too. But they do offer a FULL 1 year warranty on their repair work and on Kiev 88 kits, lens and accessories. I have yet to find a dealer in the world that can offer this kind of service. Sometimes the repair could take several attempts, but it will get fixed. One time I had to send a 120 film back, back to them three times before they fixed it the correct way. It was a very upsetting experience, since I had to pay the shipping when sending to them each time. There are other dealers, but I always seem to go to Kiev /USA because they have the parts to fix everything. I�m sure their are other good repair centers and Kiev 88 dealers that are honest and true to their word.

Alright, what does a New Kiev 88 from Kiev/USA cost? The last time I check, it sold between $700 thru $1200, depending what features you purchased. Yes, Kiev/ USA sells different variations of the Kiev 88. One of the interesting ones is the Kiev 88 body but with a Pentacon 6 lens mount. This allows using older East German Lens, some made by a relative of Carl Zeiss I believe or maybe it is Carl Zeiss, to be used with full functions on a Kiev 88 camera. You can still put on Kiev 88 lens on this Pentacon lens mounted Kiev 88 body. Because Kiev / USA sells the Kiev 88 lens with a Pentacon lens mount. They sell both, with a standard 88 mount and the Pentacon 6 mount. Other dealers in Europe also

sell items like this. I�ve heard from some Russian Camera dealers that the Pentacon Lens are equal in quality to Kiev lens. The only difference is softer contrast on certain focal lengths for the Gemain lens, which is needed in certain photographic situations. Also the color tone of the lens is just a touch different. Sharpness is about equal overall.

As you can see, from reading this article by now the cost of buying used, buying new with no warranty or buying new with a warranty all adds up and nets out sooner or later.

Like I said before the savings with a Kiev 88 camera system is in the lens. Once you get a fully working and problem free body. Everthing eles just works out.

By now you have probably said that all in all, for the price of the Kiev 88, you could purchase a USED Mamyia / Bronica or Pentax 6 X 7 camera. Maybe even a used Hasselblad 500 CM. Yes you could and the body would probably hold up better for professional use. Were as the Kiev 88 was not made to be a professional full time camera. Just remember that used Mamyia / Bronica and Pentax 6 X 7 lens, even when used are a lot more expensive that Kiev 88 lens. Even if you purchased your lens from Kiev / USA or some other expensive upscale Kiev dealer.

When I said the Kiev 88 was not a professional full time camera, I meant a 120 camera that can handle 10 thru 20 rolls of 120 film each day for 5 to 7 days a week for 1 full year straight. Now that definition is for a professional camera. I used to do advertising photography about 12 years ago in New York City. I used to go thru 10 to 15 rolls of 35mm film a day with my Nikon F2AS with motor drive set at 5 frames a seconds. 5, sometimes 7 days a week. This madness went on for 1 = years. The Nikon and motor drive never misfunctioned at all. I don�t believe the Kiev 88 camera system was designed to handle this type of work load.

Anyway, below are some addresses of Kiev dealers and repair shops plus some comments.

Please feel free to contact me about anything on the Kiev 88 camera system. I might not know everthing, but I do know what I have experienced so far.

Thank you for your time & best of luck to you.

Edward Lau

E-Mail = ELAU632855@AOL.COM

Kiev / USA Kiev Dealer & Repair Center

248 Mill Street

Greenwich, Connecticut 06830

203-531-0900

http://members.aol.com/kievusa

Continent-Wide Enterprises LTD Kiev Dealer, sells non-modified Kiev products

41 Bertal Road Great Prices on Kiev 88 lens

Toronto, Ontario Canada M6M 4M7

416-762-8101 ext. 110

1-800-667-0293

http://users.aol.com/contwide/home.htm

Russian Camera Exchange

1635 Scenic Ave., Suite 4

Berkeley, California 94709

510-704-9771

Rare Camera of New York Great prices on various Kiev 88 and other

30 West 26 Street cameras. Also repairs Kiev 88 cameras

New York, N.Y. Great guys Felix and Vladimir

212-366-5375

Panorama Camera Center Kiev 88 and German cameras repaired

124 West 30 Street Sometimes has Kiev 88 lens in stock.

New York, N.Y.

212-563-1651

Cambridge Camera Exchange Sells Kiev 88 with a Pentacon 6 lens

119 West 17 Steeet mount, and all accessories. Camera is

New York, N.Y. 10011 relabled with Cambron Pro-Six name

212-675-8600 Also is the only dealer in the USA for

800-221-2253 Germain Exakta 66 Model III.

Sells a 500mm preset F8.0 telephoto lens

for the Kiev 88 and other various

2 < X 2 < cameras ( Japanese & European )

for only $399.

Try the following two places:

Panorama Camera Center ( Repair Shop & Used Camera Store )

124 West 30 Street

New York, N.Y.

212-563-1651

Rare Camera of New York

30 West 26 Street

New York, N.Y.

212-366-5375

Ask for Felix Portnov or Vladimir Slavutsky

This is a used Camera Store that sends repairs out to a place in Brooklyn. The Repair person in Brooklyn specializes in Kiev 88 cameras. In fact according to Felix Portnov the guy in Brooklyn, is the uncle of that main repair person at Kiev / USA in CT.

If you stop by Rare Camera of New York, tell Felix and Vladimir that Ed Lau ( The Chinese fellow with the Kiev 88 equipment ) said hello.

Best of Luck!

HI THERE,

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE TAIR 300MM F4.5 LENS FOR A KIEV 88 CAMERA,

HAS DECENT OPTICAL QUALITY? I'VE HEARD THAT TAIR'S FOR THE KIEV 88

CAMERAS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE SINCE THE MID 1970'S. I KNOW THE TAIR DOES

NOT HAVE A AUTOMATIC DIAPHRAM. IT'S A PRE-SET TYPE / MANUAL TYPE.

ALSO, WHAT IS A FAIR OR DECENT PRICE FOR A TAIR 300MM F4.5 LENS IN

GOOD TO EXCELLENT CONDITION?

ED LAU

E-MAIL = ELAU632855@AOL.COM

Has anyone seen a Kiev 45mm PC Shift lens yet?

Is it the standard 45mm wide angle lens cut in half and modified.

Is the 65mm PC Shift lens a cut in half and modified lens too.

Is it true that the 55mm PC Shift lens was a TRUE shift lens designed from the start?

Ed Lau

E-Mail = ELAU632855@AOL.COM

Hi there,

<p>

Has anyone ever purchased any Kiev Equipment from the Russian

Camera Exchange in California? I was wondering are they any good. Does anyone know if there Kiev merchandise is straight out of the box from Russia or is it re-built like Kiev/USA merchandise.

<p>

Has anyone ever purchased any KIEV/USA camera body with the modified cloth shutter curtain? Outside of the quiter sound,

is it more accruate or dependable down the road?

<p>

<i>also</i>

<p>

Has anyone ever purchased a lens adapter that mounts on a Kiev 88 camera body and connects a Pentacon mount type lens?

There is a company in Germany that sells Kiev 88 cameras and lens, The company is called Photo Arsenal. Their web address

is http://www.arsenal-photo.com/index.htm The adapter sells for about $75.00. I was wondering if such an adapter would

enable the factory specification minium and infinity focus range of the attached lens. And would the adapter change the

actual focal length of the attached lens ( example: a 45mm lens would become a 50mm ). I've E-mailed the Photo Arsenal

company several times and have never received a reply to my questions. I found in the past that many small photo companies

in Europe that deal with Kiev type cameras have the worst customer service response.

<p>

Ed Lau