The cost would have to be the best part of the camera. I have two Kiev 88, both of them where exchanged for new camera because the first camera had shutter that stuck. the other camera had a been damaged in shipping. They do work well once you get one that does work

Two many to list

A good buy if you get one that works

Customer Service

Great

Similar Products Used:

None

Cheap (on the face of things) -- and tht's about it.

Expensive (after you pay for repairs). This camera is the biggest pile of junk ever made by anyone. It's a wonder it's called a "camera". There are several things you can count on when it comes to a Kiev 88: shoddy workmanship, mechanical problems (if you don't have them soon you'll have them later), and pieces that fall off. DON'T BE A FOOL AND BUY ONE -- you will be eternally sorry if you do.

Pure junk.

Customer Service

Non-existent.

Similar Products Used:

Norita 66, Tittreck, Mamiya 645, Fuji GA645 and GA645zi.

The cheapest medium format pro-oriented camera on the market. Variety of lenses and accessories. Performs equally well in both 6x6 and 6x4.5 formats. Superior quality of optics. All lenses are f/2.8 of f/3.5 (except 500mm f/5.6APO) Very durable all-metal construction. Completely mechanical operation - batteries are required only for the TTL prism. Essencially, an exact copy of Hasselblad 1000F, but under a thousand dollars for an outfit that includes a body, three backs, 85mm normal lens, 30mm fisheye and 250mm telephoto.

Ancient design. No quality contron on the factory. Backs are light leak prone (but easily curable) Shutter and TTL metering system need calibration. An upgraded system with mirror lockup can have a leak in the housing of the MLU button. A standard version has its internal chamber painted with glossy pain, which can be a cause of nasty flare and low contrast.

An excellent choice for someone who wants to try to move into medium format photography. Excellent image quality and easy, straightforward handling. But if you buy Kiev 88, be sure that sooner or later you will know how to disassemble film backs, flock the interior and calibrate TTL metering system. The comforting fact, though, is that most of the annoying problems can be easily solved with a piece of black rubber foam $5 worth, and, as a reward, for its brave admirers Kiev offers a variety of professional accessories - from full line of lenses to closeup kits to polaroid backs, plus all old Hassy bells and wistles.

Customer Service

Buy it from Mike Fourman (Kievcamera) in GA, or from Kiev-USA, and you will have no worries. Beware of independend dealers, because in this case repair may cost you more than a new camera.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad 1000f
Lubitel 166B TLR

1) On a good day it can take pictures of compariable quality to major brands;
2) Quite extensive line of cheap lenses.

1) Light leaks;
2) Shutter not accurate at higher speeds;
3) Useless TTL meter (3 stops off);
4) Very fragile, easily jammed.

Possibly the most unreliable medium format camera on the market. Spend more time in the shop than with me. You'll need at least 3 to make sure at least one is working.

Customer Service

Good, warranty is exchange only.

Similar Products Used:

Other Kievs and Salyuts
Contax
Yashica
Nikon

I put it toghether quite cheaply from several sources which span from the US to Russia and the Ukraine. Well, it's cheap and capable of good results if one has the following traits:
1) Accepting 2) patient 3) meticulous in handling 4) does not require ultra-reliability. I am happy at the price / value ratio, but would not recommend it for the beginner.

Shoddy construction, poor finish / feel, light leakages which you have to fix yourself (but that is sometimes half the fun), hit-and-miss quality.

Great camera for those with some experience already in MF, who have patience if things go wrong, preferably a little skill in fixing small technical problems oneself, and not using it for work but leisure.

Customer Service

what customer service.... go for those on ebay with good reputation and exchange warranties.

Similar Products Used:

Bronica GS, ETRSi, Pentax 6x7, Seagull , Moskva , Crown Graphic etc.

NOTE: This review is for the Kiev 88 CM model.

120 roll-film 6x6 format. Pentacon-6 bayonet lens mount with auto-aperture system. Modular design including TTL prism finder that is 100% perfect, interchangeable film packs with easy-open backs to allow film loading while still mounted on the camera and having the exposure counters in the backs, waist-level finder with pop-out magnifier. Bright fresnel focussing screen with circular split-image focussing aid, surrounded by a circular microprism "donut" focussing aid and scribed vertical and horizontal composition lines. Large articulated mirror. Rubberized cloth focal-plane shutter.
Fast, sharp 2.8/80mm lens (I have yet to see ANY flare or ghosting!).

Major: Flimsy shutter release mechanism. A variety of different light leaks. Nasty smell.
Minor: Bright chrome/retro styling (Cute young things will invariably comment on the "old" camera -- or maybe they meant the photographer?). Noisy (not as bad as my motor driven F2). Heavy (see last F2 comment). Needs 3/8 to 1/4 inch tripod adapter (which I got for 4 bucks at Bernie's www.berniesphoto.com).
1/30 second maximum flash sync speed (made me do a lot of math to develop a chart for proper fill flash).

WARNING! Harsh Reality Follows.

THIS CAMERA IS NOT IDIOT-PROOF. YOU WILL PROBABLY BREAK IT.

Overall, this is a completely manual camera. Only those photographers who can use a light meter and set shutter and aperture, and wind film by hand should even think about using it. You must pay attention to all the details with this camera. If you don't, you will jam it or break it.

A little mechanical know-how is useful, as minor tinkering ability allows you to put sticky foam in strategic locations to totally cure the light leaks, and to apply proper lubricants to the appropriate places, resulting in a much smoother operating camera. I have shot over a dozen rolls with it so far, and the only problems I have experienced were the result of my own stupidity.

Again, I must point out that this is a good camera that will take excellent pictures and give you much trouble-free service... IF ... and ONLY if you wake up and pay attention to every detail of making the exposure.

If you do not posess the mental discipline necessary to remember to check every detail before every shot, do not buy this camera. Or try to fly an airplane.

If you are willing to work, this camera represents a good investment, and will bring you much pleasure and enjoyment, and will produce wonderful images.

See my Gallery of Kiev pictures on photo.net at http://www.photo.net/photodb/edit-presentation?presentation_id=72835

Customer Service

Never tried it. Research the net, there are lots of stories out there. Your mileage will vary.

Similar Products Used:

I saw a Hasselblad, once!

Solid, reliable camera at a good price. TTL meter very good.

Optional leather covering looks strange. Considering the price though, I don't see any real weaknesses.

For $850 I received a camera body, two backs, TTL meter finder, waist level finder, 80mm lens and a fairly nice camera bag. The Hartblei is made the Czech Republic. THe camera is a much modified Kiev. Very nicely made and much more reliable than a standard Kiev straight out of Russia. I also purchased a line of Kiev lenses through ebay. All but one lens works great. So for about $1600 I have a complete medium format outfit. For those with a slim wallet or no desire to sell the house and car for a similar Hasseblad setup, the Hartblei and Kiev option is certainly worth considering.

Customer Service

Have not had the need. Camera comes with one year warranty. KievCamera is now the USA dealer, so I assume they can also handle camera problems.

Similar Products Used:

Bronica.

Great crisp picture quality. Easy to use.

Light leaks on Film backs in very bright shooting situations, but so do the Blad backs on occation. Would be nice to have a 90 Degree Prism.

I have been using a Nikon FE for about 18 years and wanted to switch to medium format for the size and quality. Hassys and Bronica's a out of my reach.This was a very inexpencive way to get into the medium format market, without having to sell my right arm to buy equipment. I had also purchaced a used 180MM F2.8 Zeiss Planner Lens from Kiev USA for $189.00, after getting ripped off on EBAY for $250.00 when trying to get a 120 and 150 MM lens set. This combination has done quite well for me.
I shoot weddings and have delivered beutiful quality pictures for my clients. I wouldn't suggest spending any more than 300-400 for the starter set. They are readily available on EBAY. Kiev USA prices are a bit high, but I have written to and heard from many users of this camera and all are as happy with it as I am.

Similar Products Used:

Hassy 500C, Mimaya 330 Pro

(This is a review of the Kiev-88CM!)

-Great price for the world's biggest medium format system (Pentacon Six mount; not the regular Ukrainian "B" mount like the standard Kiev-88)
-Large choice of affordable, excellent Lenses (Ukrainian Arsenal Kiev, East German Carl Zeiss Jena, West German Schneider-Kreuznach)
-Fully manual design
-Soviet feeling

(This is a review of the Kiev-88CM!)

-MINOR: Potential light leaks in the film backs, but they can easily be cured by oneself
-MINOR: Potential TTL prism incorrectness, but this can easily be adjusted by oneself
-MAJOR: Potential shutter problems (speeds and/or banding): this has to be tested immediately after purchase
-MAJOR: Potential frame overlaps with the film backs: this has to be tested immediately after purchase

(This is a review of the Kiev-88CM!)

The two possible major weaknesses have to be detected, and the camera has to be returned if they appear. Other problems are minor. Thus, once you have a camera free of this major problems, you get the best value medium format camera system available. The lenses are about as excellent as the best Western ones. And if you don't want the hassles of the Ukrainian camera(s), you can buy a cheap adapter and use the excellent and extremely cheap Arsenal Kiev lenses (only the ones for the Pentacon Six mount used by the Kiev-88CM and the Kiev-60!) on your Mamiya-645/Pentax-645/Contax-645 camera!!! I love this camera, but one has to know its possible weaknesses.

Customer Service

(This is a review of the Kiev-88CM!)

One year warranty. Can normally be repaired at any camera repair shop due to its fully manual design.

Similar Products Used:

(This is a review of the Kiev-88CM!)

None.

- Superb picture quality
- Superb old russian optics
- Cheap entrance to the MF world
- Those nice russian and ukraine lenses should be used with adapter on better bodies

- Some light leaks on some backs - could be repaired by yourself in 3 minutes
- Sometimes does not work and no one knows why - give it few minutes rest and everything is OK
- slow flash sync 1/30"

Camera for those, who knows something about photography, camera construction and have some small screwdrivers... Actually, I not reviewed Kiev USA 88, BUT ITS PREDECESSOR KIEV 80. It is fully manual, 29 years old and really does its job. I use it ocassionally when I need professionally looking, sharp, and BIG slides of technology or portraits of people. My subjective opinion is, than picture quality is much much higher than those of Mamiyas and Bronicas. Some russian lenses are real jewells. However, mechanics is not so good. I plan to buy new body from Czech Hartblei, which is totally reassambled and has better references than Kiev USA. Well, its usage does not give you so high prestige as Hassy, but you will spend some 10 times less and I guarantee, that no one normal customer will see difference. Try it.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya Pro, Mamiya RB67