The Kiev60 can be a great camera. I bought mine from Arax a long time ago when they were basically rebuilding NOS Kievs. (Both the 60 and the 88) I think they had bought all the factory stock of bodies and parts from Arsenal when they stopped production. The 60 has a couple of things to be aware of, one is specifically to do with the standard/kit lens and is that at some specific focus distances there is a path for light to get into the lens via the depth of field preview lever.The fix for that can be as simple as a piece of tape. The other issue I had was that using a flash with the kiev made flash bracket--it attaches to the front of the camera--somehow made the shutter button part of the electrical circuit and I'd get zapped from the shutter button when I took a flash photo. Exciting! I never figured out if it was an inherent fault or just something weird with my specific camera. A better strap than the much too narrow factory strap is definitely worth looking for, if you want to use a strap with this camera. I have been quite pleased with most of the FSU lenses (Former Soviet Union) I've had for the K60. And especially with the Zodiak or Arsat 30mm/f3.5 lens. Quite specialist use case for this 180 degree FOV lens but I consider it a true gem of a lens. I will recommend another web site for folks interested in these cameras: Kievaholic.com TONS of good info there. Thanks for your excellent video!
Thanks for the comment! Some great info. That's hilarious that you were getting shocked by the shutter button! Would make you think twice about using flash! The Arsat 30mm would be one very good reason to keep hold of this camera, it is the stuff of legend! I would love to give that one a go.
@@BetamaxFlippy I'm honestly surprised the link didn't get deleted. That said, it opens fine for me on my PC. You might try typing the address manually.
Great video. Yes, just before the war started , I had sent my Kiev 88 to Araxphoto for a complete upgrade . Since, I have shot 60 plus rolls of film, with out any issues. Just be sure to always use a lens good, all the time, (applies to all cameras), be cautious when shooting into a bright light source. All my lens are Kiev 88 mount. Thanks KB (some where I read , Araxphoto may have moved to the Czech republic temporary)
Yeah another commenter here said that maybe they were operating in Poland? Either way, sounds like they're still going, which is great news. And yes... lens hoods!! I should pay more attention to lens hoods.
Really great content again. I have several of the east German Carl Zeiss lenses & they are quite good. The problem with the 180mm defaulting to 2.8 is very common.
Ahh is it? Doesn't surprise me you know. I have opened the lens up and could not figure out how to get at the diaphragm to clean the blades! It's built like a tank in there. I was able to get all the glass out, but the aperture is inside a sort of metal tube, I couldn't see any way in! I'll have another go at it some day. I was a little disappointed with that lens, the close focusing is terrible. But then someone here suggested a macro tube to help you get closer. So there may be life in that lens yet!
Excellent video! I owned a 6C for a short time. I had the stock 90mm 2.8 Vega. The shutter release on the 6C is on the left, and I never could get used to that. Mine had an issue with the focus screen being out of adjustment and focusing improperly. The good thing is that there’s a good bit of info out there about how to fix the general quirks of this camera. Unfortunately, I didn’t hold onto it long enough to try out any of the other great lenses available. Cheers!
I think I got pretty luck with this one, very few issues really. And the mirror box reflections didn't appear until I put two bright lights right in front of it, so I can hardly complain too much about that! It's definitely an interesting camera, and made all the more interesting by the following it has, and the wealth of information there is out there about it. Another commenter on here also alerted me to another company selling fully refurbished camera kits, called Hartblei. So much going on with the Kievs, it's pretty awesome.
Loved the video! I am also really happy with my Kiev and the Volnar lenses are indeed great. The flocking kid is worth every penny! I fixed all of my light leaks with that. Before that I had the same issues like you had with your portrait shot.
@@the120ist I got mine about a year ago from Arax. They were still operating at the time and according their website they are still alive and kicking. Shipping was out of Poland and the set was pretty affordable, had good instructions and the velvet comes with an adhesive back (stickers).
You can use something like Grumbacher Acrylic Matte Medium, with a small flat chisel tip brush and apply it directly over the glossy black areas of the mirror box, after you clean area thoroughly with Isopropyl alcohol. It comes in an 8 oz. jar and will run you between fifteen to eighteen dollars Canadian. Pro's - cleans up with water, lasts as a clear matte finish and intact for 20 to 30 or so years without reflection or worry, cheaper than flocking, which will flake off 10 years down the line.
Hey Clay, great idea. I haven't looked too closely at the inside of the mirror box, but hoping there's not too much I could paint over... that would be my only concern, getting paint where you really don't want paint!
If you have frame spacing issues check out the video posted by Ari Jaaksi (shoot on film) 2 days ago. Quite a nice video showing how to adjust and test the frame spacing.
I think I’ve got pretty lucky with this one, I don’t seem to have any issues with it at all. But I’ve watched some of Ari’s vids on the Kiev 60, I know it’s one of his favourite cameras. He’s way more knowledgable than me for sure! I totally see what he loves about the camera though!
Well. I guess I’m going have to dust off something with a shutter that goes clunk and expose some film. Really looking forward to the next episode on paper reversal.
Ha ha! I might suggest you hold fire until the next vid! I’ve been really enjoying the BW reversal. I’ve been out today and shot a load more sheets, hoping these ones are better than the last lot and I get some really cracking images. If I can get that process nailed then no requirement for clunking shutters! Rating the paper at iso 2!
I'm on the fence about buying a 60 right now. Hartblei he'll selling them brand new, and my ETRSI has been acting up. I feel like a new copy of the key of 60 would be more reliable than a battery operated camera moving forward. They also offer it in 645 format. Any thoughts on the 60 versus the ETRSI?
Ooooh, I'd have to go with my ETRS every time... I love that thing. But I have the ETRS, not the 'i', so far less reliant on electronics. I much prefer my ETRS, it's much more compact, way less heavy, and I'm getting great results from it right now. BUT... if it started acting up, well!
@@the120ist Yeah, over time I've grown less and less a fan of electronics. I use the "Speed Grip E" on my Bronica along with the AE Finder III, so it clocks in at 1860 grams with the 75mm PE. That's about the same weight as the Kiev. I also had the battery die on my this last summer and couldn't use it the rest of that trip. I have a C220 and GW680, both mechanical, and I end up trusting them more, and now this flakey shutter-not-firing... I *would* miss the 45-90mm and 100-220mm zooms, which are so much fun on the Bronny tho :) Thanks for the info!!!
@@the120ist Thank you very much. Very interesting for use on my soviet Zenit 3m. Not a beast, not 120, not the best, Soviet quality, but I love it anyway.
I was almost falling off my chair from laughing when I saw you taking those selfies! From what one can judge on youtube, those lenses performed really nicely. Will you repair the sonnar lens, or you stick with the 2.8 only? Thx again for sharing
Ha ha! Yes I really shouldn't do silly selfies on old cameras with film! I feel like I'm insulting the camera's rich heritage! But the minimum focus distance was about the same length as my arms... so....
Yeah I kind of thought I could probably do that, but have never done it before. And the pics weren’t exactly gallery material, so I figured I’d just go shoot some more! Can you do that even after the negs have dried?
@@chriscard6544 That's true, but I'm not convinced this is was a fixing issue. Looks more like backing paper texture imprinted itself into the emulsion. But I would be super happy to be proven wrong - I have a couple of rolls with the same (d)effect (and none of them was Bergger).
i mean pentacons were east german, and east germany was basically soviet territory so i wouldnt say the pentacon is any less soviet than the kiev. Anyway its probably on my shopping list, well see
Aggghh… I was bound to get the history wrong. I did do plenty of reading, but it is an incredibly complicated period of history, very dynamic and lots of change happening, especially at the time of this camera being built - 1984-1999. But I confess was not totally aware that the Soviet Union pre-dated WWII. My bad. Sorry.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
The Kiev60 can be a great camera. I bought mine from Arax a long time ago when they were basically rebuilding NOS Kievs. (Both the 60 and the 88)
I think they had bought all the factory stock of bodies and parts from Arsenal when they stopped production.
The 60 has a couple of things to be aware of, one is specifically to do with the standard/kit lens and is that at some specific focus distances there is a path for light to get into the lens via the depth of field preview lever.The fix for that can be as simple as a piece of tape. The other issue I had was that using a flash with the kiev made flash bracket--it attaches to the front of the camera--somehow made the shutter button part of the electrical circuit and I'd get zapped from the shutter button when I took a flash photo. Exciting! I never figured out if it was an inherent fault or just something weird with my specific camera.
A better strap than the much too narrow factory strap is definitely worth looking for, if you want to use a strap with this camera.
I have been quite pleased with most of the FSU lenses (Former Soviet Union) I've had for the K60. And especially with the Zodiak or Arsat 30mm/f3.5 lens. Quite specialist use case for this 180 degree FOV lens but I consider it a true gem of a lens.
I will recommend another web site for folks interested in these cameras: Kievaholic.com
TONS of good info there.
Thanks for your excellent video!
Thanks for the comment! Some great info. That's hilarious that you were getting shocked by the shutter button! Would make you think twice about using flash!
The Arsat 30mm would be one very good reason to keep hold of this camera, it is the stuff of legend! I would love to give that one a go.
Link to the website is dead or wrong
@@BetamaxFlippy I'm honestly surprised the link didn't get deleted. That said, it opens fine for me on my PC. You might try typing the address manually.
Finally a reviewer that tests cameras with COLOUR film and not just the same black and white bull.
I might get one of these just to try it.
Great video. Yes, just before the war started , I had sent my Kiev 88 to Araxphoto for a complete upgrade . Since, I have shot 60 plus rolls of film, with out any issues. Just be sure to always use a lens good, all the time, (applies to all cameras), be cautious when shooting into a bright light source. All my lens are Kiev 88 mount. Thanks KB (some where I read , Araxphoto may have moved to the Czech republic temporary)
Yeah another commenter here said that maybe they were operating in Poland? Either way, sounds like they're still going, which is great news. And yes... lens hoods!! I should pay more attention to lens hoods.
Really great content again. I have several of the east German Carl Zeiss lenses & they are quite good. The problem with the 180mm defaulting to 2.8 is very common.
Ahh is it? Doesn't surprise me you know. I have opened the lens up and could not figure out how to get at the diaphragm to clean the blades! It's built like a tank in there. I was able to get all the glass out, but the aperture is inside a sort of metal tube, I couldn't see any way in! I'll have another go at it some day.
I was a little disappointed with that lens, the close focusing is terrible. But then someone here suggested a macro tube to help you get closer. So there may be life in that lens yet!
Excellent video! I owned a 6C for a short time. I had the stock 90mm 2.8 Vega. The shutter release on the 6C is on the left, and I never could get used to that. Mine had an issue with the focus screen being out of adjustment and focusing improperly. The good thing is that there’s a good bit of info out there about how to fix the general quirks of this camera. Unfortunately, I didn’t hold onto it long enough to try out any of the other great lenses available. Cheers!
I think I got pretty luck with this one, very few issues really. And the mirror box reflections didn't appear until I put two bright lights right in front of it, so I can hardly complain too much about that!
It's definitely an interesting camera, and made all the more interesting by the following it has, and the wealth of information there is out there about it.
Another commenter on here also alerted me to another company selling fully refurbished camera kits, called Hartblei. So much going on with the Kievs, it's pretty awesome.
Loved the video! I am also really happy with my Kiev and the Volnar lenses are indeed great. The flocking kid is worth every penny! I fixed all of my light leaks with that. Before that I had the same issues like you had with your portrait shot.
Good advice, I will go get the flocking kit. Did you get yours from Arax? Do you know if they’re still operating?
@@the120ist I got mine about a year ago from Arax. They were still operating at the time and according their website they are still alive and kicking. Shipping was out of Poland and the set was pretty affordable, had good instructions and the velvet comes with an adhesive back (stickers).
You can use something like Grumbacher Acrylic Matte Medium, with a small flat chisel tip brush and apply it directly over the glossy black areas of the mirror box, after you clean area thoroughly with Isopropyl alcohol. It comes in an 8 oz. jar and will run you between fifteen to eighteen dollars Canadian. Pro's - cleans up with water, lasts as a clear matte finish and intact for 20 to 30 or so years without reflection or worry, cheaper than flocking, which will flake off 10 years down the line.
Hey Clay, great idea. I haven't looked too closely at the inside of the mirror box, but hoping there's not too much I could paint over... that would be my only concern, getting paint where you really don't want paint!
If you have frame spacing issues check out the video posted by Ari Jaaksi (shoot on film) 2 days ago. Quite a nice video showing how to adjust and test the frame spacing.
I think I’ve got pretty lucky with this one, I don’t seem to have any issues with it at all. But I’ve watched some of Ari’s vids on the Kiev 60, I know it’s one of his favourite cameras. He’s way more knowledgable than me for sure! I totally see what he loves about the camera though!
Well. I guess I’m going have to dust off something with a shutter that goes clunk and expose some film. Really looking forward to the next episode on paper reversal.
Ha ha! I might suggest you hold fire until the next vid! I’ve been really enjoying the BW reversal. I’ve been out today and shot a load more sheets, hoping these ones are better than the last lot and I get some really cracking images. If I can get that process nailed then no requirement for clunking shutters! Rating the paper at iso 2!
I'm on the fence about buying a 60 right now. Hartblei he'll selling them brand new, and my ETRSI has been acting up. I feel like a new copy of the key of 60 would be more reliable than a battery operated camera moving forward. They also offer it in 645 format. Any thoughts on the 60 versus the ETRSI?
Ooooh, I'd have to go with my ETRS every time... I love that thing. But I have the ETRS, not the 'i', so far less reliant on electronics. I much prefer my ETRS, it's much more compact, way less heavy, and I'm getting great results from it right now. BUT... if it started acting up, well!
@@the120ist Yeah, over time I've grown less and less a fan of electronics. I use the "Speed Grip E" on my Bronica along with the AE Finder III, so it clocks in at 1860 grams with the 75mm PE. That's about the same weight as the Kiev. I also had the battery die on my this last summer and couldn't use it the rest of that trip. I have a C220 and GW680, both mechanical, and I end up trusting them more, and now this flakey shutter-not-firing... I *would* miss the 45-90mm and 100-220mm zooms, which are so much fun on the Bronny tho :) Thanks for the info!!!
What is that for remote realease you are using at 12:35?
Reveni labs remote release - www.reveni-labs.com/shop/p/remote-control-mechanical-shutter-release
@@the120ist Thank you very much. Very interesting for use on my soviet Zenit 3m. Not a beast, not 120, not the best, Soviet quality, but I love it anyway.
I use my 180mm sonar with a macro ring so it can focus way closer that way and I can make headshots easily
That is a very good idea. I don’t have a macro tube, but I’m sure I could easily get hold of one. I was disappointed with the close focus distance!
Yep..ARAX still have a web page for repair/accessories... (26 July '24)
I was almost falling off my chair from laughing when I saw you taking those selfies! From what one can judge on youtube, those lenses performed really nicely. Will you repair the sonnar lens, or you stick with the 2.8 only? Thx again for sharing
Ha ha! Yes I really shouldn't do silly selfies on old cameras with film! I feel like I'm insulting the camera's rich heritage! But the minimum focus distance was about the same length as my arms... so....
in this time Arax still work?frame spacing trouble me a long time.
Arax are still working and still in Ukraine.
What about Kiev 88?)
The waist level on the Kiev has a double view/focus ability, the same as the better models of Rolleiflex TLR cameras.
you save your issue with fixer by fixing again your negatives
Yeah I kind of thought I could probably do that, but have never done it before. And the pics weren’t exactly gallery material, so I figured I’d just go shoot some more! Can you do that even after the negs have dried?
@@the120ist yes you can
@@chriscard6544 That's true, but I'm not convinced this is was a fixing issue. Looks more like backing paper texture imprinted itself into the emulsion. But I would be super happy to be proven wrong - I have a couple of rolls with the same (d)effect (and none of them was Bergger).
@@TrashTheLens you mean a light leak ?
@@chriscard6544 No, I mean those horizontal lines seen at 10:40
i mean pentacons were east german, and east germany was basically soviet territory so i wouldnt say the pentacon is any less soviet than the kiev. Anyway its probably on my shopping list, well see
The Soviet Union was formed in 1917. I don’t think neither camera, nor mount goes that far back 😂
Aggghh… I was bound to get the history wrong. I did do plenty of reading, but it is an incredibly complicated period of history, very dynamic and lots of change happening, especially at the time of this camera being built - 1984-1999. But I confess was not totally aware that the Soviet Union pre-dated WWII. My bad. Sorry.
@@the120ist Its early name is as its initials (USSR).. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics...