Kiev Arsat 30mm f3.5 Fisheye Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: rampside
(Expert)

Review Date
May 26, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5,
3 votes

Review 1 of 3

Price Paid: $200.00 from Kiev Camera

Summary:

This lens is so sharp it looks like the image was chiseled out on the film. I photograph old buildings, bridges, and mountain scenes. On a brick or stone building every rock or brick literally jumps off the image. The lense is cheaper than dirt to purchase but built like it should of cost many times more than I paid. Can't say enough good about it. Classic Autos are also what I use this lense for when I want a group of autos on one Negative. Each car is sharp as a tack and the colors are super. I have an adapter to fit this lense to my Pentax 645N. People go Ga Ga when they see me using it. Bought it from Michael Fourman, a real gentleman to do bussiness with.

Strengths:

Super Glass, has filters on the rear of lense for B and W film. Balances nicely on the Pentax.

Weaknesses:

Can't find any. Maybe more positive detents on the f stops, no big deal thought

Similar Products Used:

17 MM on a Nikon 8008

Customer Service:

Never have needed any!

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Rating
Reviewed by: allblood
(Intermediate)

Review Date
April 20, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 2 of 3

Price Paid: $200.00 from Kievcamera.com

Summary:

I have used this lens with Kiev 60 and Pentax 645 via an adapter. The lens is very sharp with very good color contrast. Pentax does not have a fisheye lens for 645 and the 67 fisheye lens is huge and expensive. This one is just right for the price. Overall I am very impressed with the quality, especially when the price is taken into account.

Strengths:

- price - Adapters are available for cameras of other brands (provided that your camera body has a focal plane shutter) - Sharp and Contrasty!

Weaknesses:

- Heavy - focus ring is not as smooth compared to my Pentax lenses.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF 15mm fisheye

Customer Service:

Haven't tried before

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Rating
Reviewed by: Eddie G
(Intermediate)

Review Date
October 25, 2002

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.86 of 5,
7 votes

Review 3 of 3

Price Paid: $150.00 from eBay

Summary:

In my opinion it is the best lens ever produced by this factory. Tack sharp, good 180-degree field of view and rather solid construction. I can use it on my Kiev 60, Mamiya M645, Canon A1 and EOS 5 using various adapters.

Strengths:

- Fairly sharp - With adapters you can use it on Mamiya, Hassy, Contax, Pentax - Not much light fall off noted - Excellent coating job - CHEAP!

Weaknesses:

- Heavy, real heavy! And extremely fat! - Aparture blades could be a little bit more alligned - Filter size is a bit odd, can't find any filters for it here in USA

Similar Products Used:

Nothing that wide in MF

Customer Service:

Never tried.

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