Cheap medium format film cameras? "Kiev" any good?

Question

I've been wanting to get a medium format film camera, but I'm trying to stay under $300(which is near to impossible). A friend suggested Kiev medium format film cameras (specifically the 88C). But, they're Soviet knockoffs. I've looked for reviews on these cameras, but I can't find any. Does anyone know of any cheaper medium format, waits level viewfinder film cameras? I've looked at a few Mamiya, Hasselblad, and Bronica, but I can't find any under kits $300 or so.

Answer 1

You don't say if you are looking for 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7 or 6x9 negative size. If all you want is a MF roll-film camera that can be axccurately focussed, Chinese Seagull, Rolleicord, Yashica-Mat and others do a nice quality 6x6 TLR that can be bought second hand for up to $200 (starting below $100) on eBay but buy only from a seller with good f/b and lots of photoselling experience - like me!

There are nice coupled-rangefinder focus folding cameras from Zeiss - the Super Ikontas are gorgeous!, russian copies of these - Mockbas and Iskras, Agfa do the increasing rare Super Isolettes, Super Baldax from Baldi. The Zeisses are in all three formats - no 6x7.

There are Russian and East German 6x6 SLRs branded as Pentacons, Kievs, Zenit 80, Exakta.

Some uncoupled Rangefinder folders include Mess Baldix, Mess Ikonta, Agfa Isolette lll. From Britain's Ensign company, the Autorange, Commando and Special ranges. Some of these now fetch skyhigh prices! Cheap but very useable are the British 6x6 Agifolds - noting that earlier ones are not all rangefinders,

You can buy a Russian Lubitel TLR with idiosyncratic focussing for about $30 in GWO.

Don't be conned into buying anything sold as Holga, Lomography or Diana. There are nice quality cameras made in China but not these!

If you see anything you are thinking about feel free to message me wiith a link. What I know I share.

Answer 2

Best Medium Format Film Cameras

Answer 3

You must remember that the Kiev are used Russian cameras. 2009 was the last production of them. The 88c was started in 1957 so that gives a few years of wear and tear on the cameras. I love the old Russian lenses and have a Helios 44-2/58 as well as a Jupiter 9 all M-42 mount for my 35mm cameras. For MF I use a few folders and a Yashica-Mat as well as a Mamiya 645. My advise would be to shop around for old folders. Kodak and several other German cameras are cheap to buy but watch out for the condition etc, Myself I have 3 different folders 2x 6x6 and one 6x9 that work quite well. Good luck

Answer 4

You are correct in saying that Kiev cameras were produced in Soviet Russia and they appear still to be produced. There is, in fact, a US website dedicated to them:- http://www.kievusa.com/. I am not sure what you mean about them being a 'knock off', but there can be little doubt that they were/are based on Hassleblad/Bronicaa, etc. You certainly won't find one under $300 as medium format cameras have always been expensive. If you still don't fancy a Kiev, your only hope is to look on ebay etc for a second hand one.

Answer 5

You have a option of codecs with one hundred twenty roll movie and of path, your option impacts the variety to be had. You can get a beautiful Rolleiflex for the fee you desire despite the fact that the highest finish Rollei's opt for way over that. Yashicas with Yashinon lenses are inexpensive and really equipped and some of the Jap Rollei clones are beautiful to make use of. I pick my Walzflex over my Yashicas any day. All those are 6x6cm structure. There are many 6x4.five and 6x9 folding cameras as good as 6x6. The Super Ikonta 6x4.five folder is a lovely little pocket/handbag sized digicam,smaller folded, than many 35mm cameras. The 6x6 and 6x9 models are higher however simply as pleasant to make use of. It is typical to discover seventy five yr ancient models of those in one hundred% operating order. The 6x9s have an insert that makes them 6x4.five so that you get extra pictures on a roll and with a telephoto end result considering that the 105mm lense is two times that of a normal 6x4.five lense. The Russian Mockba copies also are high-quality even though confined in amenities. They have first-rate lenses and they're inexpensive. Agfa (Record & Isolette three) made rangefinder 6x6 and 6x9 folders however the bellows are suspect. From Germany, Franka and Balda (Super Baldix, Super Baldax) additionally made a few beautiful coupled and uncoupled Rangefinder focussing 6x6 folders. If you desire exchangeable lenses then I'd recommend the "colossal is lovely" Mamiya Press/Universal variety. For the amenities supplied they're relatively very low-priced. $500 might get you the digicam, a few backs (those present differing codecs *) and 2 or 3 brilliant pleasant lenses. Save one more £500 and there's a 50mm lense that have to be one of the vital widest to be had for 6x9 structure. *6x4.five/6x6/6x7/6x9.

Answer 6

Craigslist and eBay (as well as camera shows) are your best sources to buy a used MF camera. I got my Hasselblad on eBay five years ago; the kit was $350.



I cannot comment on Kiev cameras, either on image quality or reliability. Being a Hassy user, I can comment on their repair service, as they support OOP models such as my 500C/M.