I have a few now. It seems once you get one you end up with a few. Sort of
like rabbits. I'm  not sure these are the best choice for some one that has
never touched a MF camera. They are cheap and they work well IMHO. I'd
suggest getting a cheap TLR first.

    Having said all that. The 60 is usually considered a more reliable
camera. It's simpler. No removable backs. It also is cheaper. So you've got
a cheaper and possibly better camera. I'd suggest avoiding Ebay for bodies
unless you're buying from somebody reputable. The price for a camera from
Ebay isn't much less then a rebuilt camera from somebody like Arax.com. I've
bought bodies off Ebay with very good luck. Only one had any problem [frame
spacing on a 6x4.5] but I'm not shy about using a screwdriver.

    I don't know what 35mm camera you have but assuming it's not an F5
you'll find the Kiev big and heavy. Some of the lenses aren't light either.

      The nice thing about the Kiev's is you can but together a setup
including a body,normal,wide and long lens for less money then some of the
other cheaper MF systems would cost you for the body. The ability to get
good cheap lenses is even more important the more extreme your interests.
If all you care about is a normal lens then just get the TLR. If OTOH you
like fisheyes then Kiev is the only reasonable choice. Or just buying close
up tubes can set you back a few bucks with the other systems.

  I've rambled enough. Go to the http://www.delphiforums.com/ kiev forum
and ask. You'll get plenty of info from people that have actually used the
things. You can ask about good sellers. Look over the problems people have
had.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/kievreport/start

Nick

Andrew,
I have a Kiev 88CM so I can comment about that model.  I have had the camera
for about three years now and have used it pretty extensively.  I got the
basic kit from Kiev Camera (Mike Fourman).

Whatever you read online, good or bad, about Kievs is probably true!  When
you get a good one it generally works well for a long time.  The optics in
general are very good but can also vary in quality. There are also lenses
available from Schneider, old Zeiss Jena glass and several other makers.
Taken together quite possibly the largest lens selection of any MF system.

In the time I have had it I have had one problem that was not my own doing.
The low shutter speeds (1/30 and lower) went bad and worked only
intermittently.  I called Mike and he replaced the body.  I would have
preferred a repair since with Kievs you never know if the replacement body
might have more problems than the one you had.  However the new body has
worked flawlessly for almost 2 years.

I don't depend on this camera for my living, but the quality of the images
is certainly good enough for professional work.  If I *did* have to depend
on this system for a living I'd have at least one and probably two backup
bodies handy at all times (which any pro using any system should do anyway).
All in all I am quite satisfied with my Kiev but with prices falling on used
equipment from other manufacturers you have a lot of choices in the same
price range.  The main difference will come when purchasing additional
lenses which Kiev owners can usually afford to do!

Sherman
http://www.dunnamphoto.com

Hello,

I have a kiev 88 bought via ebay. I’ve had bad luck, light leaks and
problems with low speeds. I think that the camera looks like a tank, but
it is not a tank, is somewhere fragile. After I’ve bought a second hand
mamiya m645 (you will find it not very expensive and you could use
Russian lens via adapters).

Bye^2

Have a look at Ralf Radermacher's page on the K-60:

<http://www.fotoralf.de/k60.htm>

As a Kiev (and Pentacon 6) owner, I fully agree with his assessments.
All I would add is that in addition to his dealer recommendations
(Wiese, Kaplan) I can personally recommend Hans Roskam:

<http://www.roskamoptics.nl/>

as a trustworthy and reliable dealer.