From kievrpt@aol.com Thu Jun 22 09:10:54 1995 Path: news.ifm.liu.se!liuida!sunic!sunic.sunet.se!trane.uninett.no!nac.no!Norway.EU.net!EU.net!howland.reston.ans.net!news-e1a.megaweb.com!newstf01.news.aol.com!newsbf02.news.aol.com!not-for-mail From: kievrpt@aol.com (KievRpt) Newsgroups: rec.photo.advanced Subject: New, improved, updated Kiev FAQ Date: 19 Jun 1995 15:33:29 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Lines: 414 Sender: root@newsbf02.news.aol.com Message-ID: <3s4je9$dmr@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Reply-To: kievrpt@aol.com (KievRpt) NNTP-Posting-Host: newsbf02.mail.aol.com The Kiev FAQ version 1.7 June 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------- Russian and Ukrainian cameras are showing up with increasing frequency since "the fall of communism" in the former USSR. Unfortunately, the facts on the cameras are not as easily available. Herewith is The Kiev FAQ. Initially, the FAQ addressed Kiev 88 and 60 cameras only. I've added a number of other Russian and Ukrainian cameras as they are becoming popular. If you're interested in Russian and Ukrainian cameras and the *facts* about these cameras, contact me at Kievrpt@aol.com. I publish a bimonthly newsletter called, oddly enough, The Kiev Report. The newsletter covers any and all Russian and Ukrainian cameras, optics, etc. The writers are well versed in the cameras and can give *real* answers to your questions. Yes, we own and use Kiev 88s, 60s, Feds, Zorkis, Zenits, Horizonts, and all other manner of Russian/Ukrainian gear. The newsletter, by the way, is a *print* newsletter. It comes to you in the mail if you send $18.00 (for a one year subscription) to: The Kiev Report 103 Crescent Avenue Buffalo, NY 14214 our phone number is: 716-837-3526. There's also a faq on Exakta 66/Pentacon 6/Kiev 60 cameras available from fdchen@kbssyn1.tamu.edu. Anyway, on with the show: -------------------------------------------------------------- 1. What *are* these cameras? There are two major classes of cameras: Russian and Ukrainian. Ukrainian cameras are obvious: they are almost always labeled "KIEV" (in cyrillic, it looks sorta like "KNEB" or "KUEB"). The Ukrainian cameras are made by Zavod Arsenal (Arsenal Plant) in Kiev, Ukraine. Russian cameras come in a wider variety. They include: FED, Horizon, Moscow, Narciss, Zenit, and Zorki (there are lots of other not so well known varieties). With the exception of the FED cameras, most Russian cameras are made by Zavod Krasnogorsky, located near Moscow. The FED cameras are manufactured by the FED plant, formed by the same man who later went on to form the NKVD (later KGB). Lesser seen on the American side of the pond are the LOMO cameras, made by BeLOMO. LOMO cameras tend to be smaller, pocket type cameras. LOMO, by the way, makes high quality optics. They made the mirror for the world's largest reflecting telescope, located in Russia. 2. So what's available? Everything from subminiature to medium and large format cameras. The most prevalent systems are 35mm and medium format. You've probably heard of the Kiev 88 and/or Kiev 60 cameras; they are probably the best deal in new medium format today. The Zenit 35mm cameras are next in popularity. Zenits have sold very well in Europe for many years; here in America we've seen them as the Kalimar 100 and 200, Cambron TTL, and as several other relabeled brands. This list is not comprehensive; many unusual cameras show up on the used market all the time. However, these are generally available new or in reasonable quantities used. Agat 18: Unique half-frame camera FED I/II/3/4/5: Leica screwmount rangefinders Horizon 202: Swinging lens panoramic camera Kiev 88 and Kiev 60: medium format SLRs Kiev II/III/IV/5: Contax-style rangefinders Kiev 35A: Minox 35GT clone Kiev 19/19N: Nikon-mount SLR Kiev 303: Minolta 16 clone Moscow: Folding medium format cameras Photosniper: Zenit 122K with 300mm f/4.5 lens mounted on gunstock Zenit 122/12XP: manual Pentax screwmount 35mm SLRs Zenit AM/AM2/122K: Pentax K-mount SLRs 3. FED cameras FED cameras were originally made by a commune of orphans from around the USSR. The Feodor E. Dzerzhinsky (whence the FED) commune cloned early Leica rangefinders. At least one FED clone was labeled as a Leica. Most FEDs, up to the FED 3, looked like Leicas. With the FED 3 and beyond, the plant developed its own body style. The latest, and most common, is the FED 5C. It accepts Leica screwmount lenses and has a built-in, non-coupled selenium meter. The finish, like many Russian and Ukrainian cameras, is a bit rough. But, for a current list price of about $50, it's not a bad deal. There are a range of FED lenses, from a 20mm wide angle to a 135mm tele. These optics are copies of Zeiss designs, not Leica. Some photographers prefer the Zeiss lenses because they feel they perform better than similar era Leica optics. The best way to find out for yourself is to *test* the individual lens you're interested in. The FED plant made/makes a variety of other accessories, like multi-focal viewfinders for your Leica screwmount. Generally, these are reasonably priced and are good performers. Beware of gold FEDs: most, if not all, are specially plated by individual craftsmen in the former Soviet Union. Gold FEDs are no more intrinsically valuable than other FED cameras. If you like the gold, go ahead and buy it. Don't think you're getting a special model factory FED. 4. Krasnogorsk cameras The Krasnogorsk factory makes an interesting array of cameras, ranging from 35mm SLRs to the Photosniper and Horizon 202. The majority of Kraznogorsk product are the Zenit SLRs. Zenit SLRs come in two varieties: screwmount and K-mount. In general, the screwmount SLRs are all-mechanical, with match diode TTL metering. Shutter speeds typically run from B to 1/500, with flash sync at 1/60. The K-mount bodies tend to be automated, with aperture-preferred systems built in. The built-in TTL meters indicate correct exposure and if the scene is too bright or too dim for the selected aperture. The Zenit 122K, and the soon to be introduced 212K, have match diode metering and manual shutters. The Horizon 202, which used to be sold by Bogen in the US, is a swinging lens panoramic. It has four shutter speeds (max 1/125) and several apertures. A viewfinder on top of the camera gives you a rough idea of what you're taking. The Horizon 202 uses 35mm film and gives a 120 degree perspective. Krasnogorsk has announced a new panoramic, the Horizon 205pc. It's supposed to take 120 film and have a shift (perspective control) lens. Zorki cameras, many of which are very similar to the FEDs, accept Leica screwmount lenses. There are many varieties available. Probably the best one to own, if you can find it, is the Zorki 4K because it has a rapid wind lever instead of a winding knob. Finally, Krasnogorsk makes the Photosniper, a Zenit 122K fitted to a special 300mm f/4.5 lens, all of which mounts on a gun stock. The Photosniper comes as a kit, complete with filters, carrying case, and a 58mm lens. The first Photosniper used a modified FED rangefinder fitted with a reflex housing. 5. Arsenal products We'll get the lesser known cameras out of the way first, then deal with the Kiev 88 & 60 cameras. Arsenal got its start making Kiev rangefinders, clones of pre-war Contax rangefinders. The clones were just that: after WWII, the entire Contax factory was loaded on railway cars and shipped to the USSR. After a few fits and false starts, Arsenal cranked up production of the Kiev II, III, and IV cameras. Like the Contax cameras, Kiev rangefinders came with or without a meter. Arsenal did improve the design in the Kiev 5, producing a very nice rangefinder. Later, Arsenal has produced an interesting array of cameras. The Kiev 30 series (30, 30M, and 303) are clones of the earlier Minolta 16, a semi-subminiature (the size is close to 110). The Kiev 30 series cameras are really only collector pieces: the film is difficult to find and harder to process. They've also made a copy of the Minox 35GT. It's a compact 35mm viewfinder camera. A folding lens cover (if folds down like a bed on a larger folder camera) pulls the lens out of the body as you open it. The camera is subject to the same failures the 35GT experienced. On the 35mm SLR front, Arsenal's entry is the Kiev 19/19N. It's a 35mm SLR that takes Nikon-mount lenses. Of the two, the 19N is decidedly better. The 19N will use Nikon AI lenses so you can meter without stopping the lens down. The 19, on the other hand, requires you to stop the lens down for proper metering. The Kiev 88 The 88 is a medium format SLR very similar in design to Hasselblad cameras. It is actually an improved copy of the Hasselblad 1600F/1000F SLR, introduced by Hasselblad in 1949 or so. Yes, they have *improved* the design. While Hasselblad was unable to make reliable shutter mechanisms in 1949, the Arsenal factory has managed to make them today. Like Hasselblad cameras, it features interchangeable backs, finders, and lenses. The array of accessories is quite surprising and, like the basic kit, affordable. The 88 is all-mechanical; the only electronics are in the TTL-metered prism finder. Shutter speeds run from 1/2 to 1/1000th of a second, flash sync is at 1/30th or slower. The 88 has a stainless-steel focal plane shutter. The camera has an automatic diaphragm mechanism that stops the lens down when you fire the shutter. It has a hot shoe and PC connector. Unlike 35mm SLRs, it doesn't have an instant return mechanism, so you have to cock the shutter to return the mirror. There is a uniformity the basic kits, though. In general, you'll get: Kiev 88 body 80mm f/2.8 Volna or Arsat lens 120 film back waist-level finder two filters, one orange, one yellow-green. carrying case The variations are: Polaroid film back or additional 120 back TTL metered prism All this for about $400 - $700 new. Other accessories include: Lenses: 30mm f/3.5 Zodiak fisheye, about $300 - $600 45mm f/3.5 Mir-26 wide-angle, $300 - $500 65mm f/3.5 Mir-38 wide-angle, $300 - $500 120mm f/2.8 MS-Vega tele, $200 - $400 150mm f/2.8 Kaleinar tele, $200 - $400 250mm f/3.5 Jupiter tele, $300 - $400 250mm f/5.6 Telear tele, $200 - $400 Backs: 645 film back, $150 6x6 film back, $100 - $150 Polaroid back, $140 - $200 Finders: TTL-metered prism finder, $150 - $300 Prism finder, $100 - $200 Chimney finder, $100 - $200 Other: Crank handle (fits over winding knob), $100 or so Pistol grip, $100 Side grip/flash handle, $180 So, is the camera any good? Well, I'll quote Bob Shell, editor of Shutterbug magazine: "In several months of use I got to really like the Kiev. It has a good, solid feel, is easy to use and produces excellent images. There is no other medium formal system camera available even close to the Kiev's price range, which makes it the ideal introductory system camera for anyone interested in breaking into medium formal but stuck with budget restraints. While it does not have the same level of precision, and probably lacks the durability of the very expensive systems, I see no reason not to use it for professional work." That's from a review Bob wrote in the July 1991 issue of Shutterbug. I communicate with Bob quite frequently and he's not voiced any complaints yet. On the lenses: "All of the lenses tested exhibited excellent sharpness and contrast. High magnification of negatives showed that the 80mm lens was very sharp, with good definition both centrally and at the image corners, and without signs of serious aberrations, when stopped down to f/5.6 or below. At f/2.8 and f/4 central definition was still excellent, but corners suffered a bit. This is what I would expect for a well corrected, high quality lens. All of the other lenses I tested showed similar high quality images, with both the 120 and 150 a little soft at the corners when used wide open but sharpening up nicely by f/5.6" Shell, Bob. "The Kiev 88 Field Tested." Shutterbug, July 1991, 46-52. Many subscribers to The Kiev Report own Kiev 88s and have enjoyed them immensely. Is it compatible with Hasselblad? Generally, no. Many dealers sell the TTL-metered prism to Hassy owners for use on their cameras. But 99% of Hassy lenses are made for their 500/2000/etc. cameras and have a different mount than the 88. If you happen to run across a Hassy 1000F/1600F lens, you can use it on the 88. You'll have to manually stop the lens down since it doesn't have the automatic diaphragm Kiev lenses have. I have a f5.5 250mm Voss Pieskar that works just fine. The Kiev 60 What about the Kiev 60? The Kiev 60 is descended from the Pentacon Six/Praktisix, etc. It features the same lens mount as that camera and can use lenses made for it. It looks like a 35mm SLR on steroids. Like the 88, the focal plane shutter runs from 1/2 to 1/1000th. The camera does not have mirror lock-up. Kiev 60 kits are all sold with TTL-metered prisms. They also come with a waist-level finder. What are the main differences between the 88 and 60? The 60 doesn't have interchangeable backs, so you can't shoot 645 or Polaroid with the 60. The 60 has a depth-of-field lever that lets you stop the lens down; the 88 doesn't although some lenses do have levers built in. What about lenses? The 88 and 60 lenses are exactly the same with different mounts. You could probably exchange mounts if you found an extra supply of them but it wouldn't be too much fun. The 60 will also take Pentacon Six lenses. There are a number of these, ranging from 55mm wide angle to 300mm tele, many available at quite reasonable prices. There were several predecessors to the Kiev 60. The most often seen is the Kiev 6C (which looks deceptively like 60). The easiest way to differentiate the two is the shutter release. The release on the 6C is on the left, instead of right, side of the camera. Are earlier versions worth buying? Certainly. The 60 will only use 120 film. The 6C and earlier will use 120 and 220 (there's a special knob on the camera for 220 film). What's the deal with domestic versus export versions? Before 1988 or so, the factory made many things they put in boxes and called cameras. Some of them worked, some didn't. Those that worked were labeled "KIEV". Cameras labeled in cyrillic ("KNEB") were domestic cameras. Note: This applies *only* to the Kiev 88. Kiev 60s have always been and are currently still labeled in cyrillic! Why did they do this? Well, they worked under the Five-Year Plan. By the end of each month, x number of cameras had to be on y number of pallets. Nevermind whether they worked or not, just so long as the box weighed enough. Fortunately, things have changed. The cameras that now come in to the United States are reliable performers. When you buy the camera, check the serial number. It should begin with 94 or 95 (the year of manufacture). Anything older may be used, although that depends on the dealer (Kiev USA has quite a large stock and you may get a camera from them made earlier than 94). 6. Who's reliable? There are many dealers out there who sell Russian/Ukrainian gear. Some charge outrageous prices, others charge very little. What're the big differences? Kiev USA 535 E. Putnam Cos Cob, CT 203-869-3883 Kiev USA is one of the pricier dealers. They are also very likely the best. They have a factory technician in their shop who goes over every single camera before it goes out. They also make some improvements in the workings when necessary. On top of all that, they have a full one-year warrantee. You may find their service and warrantee worth the price. Continent Wide Enterprises 41 Bertal Road Toronto, Ontario M6M 4M7 416-871-8101 Yes, they're in Canada but they ship out of a warehouse in St. Louis. They only handle the Kiev 88 and its accessories. Such specialization allows them to offer a low price and very good service. Russian Camera Exchange 300 Third Street, Suite 319 San Francisco, CA 94107 415-243-4368 The fellows at RCE are from Russia and bring their equipment over in smaller quantities. They have a very wide range of cameras and lenses available and can probably get you just about anything your heart desires. --------------------------------------------------------------- If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact me. My email address is: kievrpt@aol.com. David Anderson The Kiev Report 103 Crescent Avenu Buffalo, New York 14214