Price. Available lenses.

None that I have found.

After investigating the Kiev 88CM I was expecting a camera that is functional but with some quirks. I can find nothing wrong with this camera. I purchased it from Mike Fourman at Kievcamera through an E-bay auction. The fit and finish is as good as any camera that I have used. I tested the meter, shutter speeds, film transport, etc. and have had no problems. It takes great pictures. IS reasonably priced and the service from Kiev Camera was great. I am used to a manual camera and find this camera very straight forward to use. Read the instructions and start shooting. Buy from a known vendor like Kievcamera, Kiev USA.

Customer Service

Excellent

Similar Products Used:

Canon A-1 Graflex 2X3 Olympus XA

*inexpensive, quality Zeiss Jena lenses available (180 Sonnar is a classic lens), looks like a Hassy!, inexpensive accessories,

rough finishing details. the original Kiev 88 does not have a reputation for reliablity. Not for beginners or the ham fisted. A camera for the do-it yourselfers for fixing small problems like light leaks. Slow 1/30 synch speed

I bought the camera from Mike Fourman at Kiev Camera and got it a few days later. I spent a good amount of time cleaning all the excess glue used to attach the leatherette to make the camera look alot better. Someone didn't do a great job of putting that stuff on.....but they are probably making .50 an hour. I wish I could have gotten the pieces loose to put on myself!! Otherwise, the camera looks quite nice and well put together. The prism is somewat loose when mounted to the camera. I just don't like it rattling and will fix this problem in the future with a few shims. One of the backs had a light leak but I repaired it myself with a little bit of felt from a film canister rather than returning the back for warranty repair. You have to be ready for small repairs if you own one of these. The camera is also funky in the fact that you have to pull out , then turn the wind crank to change the shutter speed. This camera is a great way to get a full medium format system with quality lenses ..cheaply! It seems to operate smoothly and after 10 rolls of film, operates correctly. I've assembled an outfit that includes: 30mm Arsat (awesome lens), 50mm Flektogon, and a 180 Sonnar + the 88cm (with 2 backs, meter prism, and standard 80mm lens) for less than $1000. If all that equipment was new Hassy stuff...the price tag would be @$15,000 !!!! I don't think the Hasselblad is 15x as good.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it, but Mike Fourman is usually quick with shipping and to the point on the phone .

Similar Products Used:

Rollei 6006, Kowa 6, Bronica S2A, Rollei TLR

Strong camera for such a low price. Havent had a problem with a single thing and Ive been using this steady since Ive gotten it in some really fould situations.