The camera is very easy to operate The body has a very solid build . I tested this camera using Velvia 50 and E100VS chromes and the results are stunning to say the least. Excellent optics.

First let me begin by saying that I have owned this camera for a little over 6 months .The Kiev 88 cm is an incredible camera. The body, Spot metered prism, waist level finder,2x 120 backs, and standard 2.8/80mm lens cost me a less than $520 USD and everything was in brand new condition.!!!!!!! The optics of the Kiev 88 CM system are as good as anything I have seen.

Customer Service

Best from www.kievcamera.com

Similar Products Used:

Kiev 60 TTL Pentacon Six Mamiya 645

Inexpensive lenses, solid feel, fantastic images.

I cannot find a 220 back. Weight is sometimes a problem.

The Kiev 88 CM is an excellent camera. The film changes easily, no light leaks or ghosting, I am completely satisified. The rumors of quality problems appear to be just that, rumors!

Similar Products Used:

Rolleiflex 2,8C Olympus OM

Price Lens selection very good quality optics handles -15f very well focal plane shutter cheap price for extra film backs

slow flash sync 1/30 (focal plane shutter) no mirror lock up

Very nice version of the Kiev 88 with a p-6 mount. The new backs are fast loading. The camera will use the Carl Zeiss Jena lenses, Schneider lenses, and Kiev lenses. Great value for the price. I have used the Kiev 88 for years as a back up and cheaply fill gaps in my Rollei system lenses. The Kiev 88Cm in reliable and a straight forward manual camera.

Customer Service

Great

Similar Products Used:

Rolleiflex 6008, Rolleiflex 2.8c, Zeiss Super Ikona B, Pentacon 6ttl, Kiev 88

Great for my money Heavy gives you study feeling Very acturate TTL/Spot Meter prism Lense for this camera is cheap and good build.

Some problems with quality control of this camera at it's factory... Lots of camera is Dead on Delivery... But kievcamera and some other Kiev dealer had warranty for it, so no big deal.

Bought Kiev 88cm is a surpise to me, and great value to my money, as I used a 35mm camera before, and accidently lost it. I had an idea change to medium photography. After reading some artical about this camera, I difinily want to purchase one right away! After package delivered to me, I started to testing it, using standard 80mm f2.8 arsat lense, and the new Spot/TTL prism finder. Well, the results turns out quite surpisly to me. As before I always shot at autofocuse/matrix metering 35mm camera, this big fully mechanical allows totally control under the exposure, which I think would help me a lot for futher photography study. The Spot/TTL metering prism also gives very acturate readings, both TTL(Center Weighted) and Spot(A bit spot...) New NT film back is very easy to use, even to a person never touched this kind of film back before. The overall finish of this camera is a little bit rough, and heavy of course, but it worth it!!! Every amature and student in a budget should consider this camera! Lense for this camera is very very cheap and quite good quality compare to those over $5000 camera... a lines of used carl zeiss jena lense is also avaliable in P6 or Kiev 88 lense mount.

Customer Service

Never, dealer's customer support though e-mail is fast enough, and kind...

Similar Products Used:

None, first time medium camera user, I choosen Kiev 88cm.

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.