KNEB 60 (KIEV-60)
Proficamera
Unser Preis: Mit reichlich Zubehör 200,-EURO
Hierzu Artikel von Robert Monaghan
The Kiev 60 is a low cost medium format option shaped similarly to an
overgrown 35mm SLR, and offering either 6x6cm or 6x4.5cm (in a modified
body version). In general, I recommend you look at the 6x6cm version,
since you can always cut the film down to 6x4.5cm if you need to do so.
There is a conversion mask and modification of the gearing of the
standard Kiev 60 to turn it into the Kiev 60 that is 6x4.5cm, along with
a drop-in mask.
These cameras are enjoying renewed popularity after a positive review in
Popular Photography and Shutterbug. Their key claim to fame
is the relatively low cost of lenses and the entry level new medium
format camera system. Most sources recommend getting one that was
imported into the USA from KIEVUSA, which reportedly tears down and
rebuilds entering Kiev-60 cameras to meet a higher quality standard.
Older Soviet and even many post-Soviet era cameras may have sundry
problems with flare and film spacing issues, in particular. The flare issues are largely resolved by the new model
or upgraded internal body black floculation (flat black material added to
cover shiny internal metal and glass (mirror) areas which are the source
of reflected light seen as flare on the film). Despite a reputation for
flare, the typical Kiev lens (even single coated ones) are relatively
less a source of flare than the bodies (although still more flare prone
than the much more expensive European and Japanese lenses of higher cost
competitors).
Unfortunately, prices have been rising in the USA for these cameras,
partly due to the cachet of things Russian and demand for such funky
post-Cold War artifacts. The Popular Photography articles have not
helped keep prices down either. When you could buy these cameras with
lenses for circa $350 US, they were great buys. But for circa $750 US and
up over $1,000 US, they are much less of a bargain IMHO. Used
professional medium format cameras may be a better buy.
There is however a frequently cited reason to get the Kiev camera bodies
- and that is the unique 30mm fisheye lens for medium format available
for a mere $300 US (more imported via KievUSA with USA warranty). These
fisheye lenses are rather unique in medium format photography, and so
cheap that you could afford to buy the camera just to get the lens!
Kiev cameras can also be great buys is you intend to buy a number of
lenses, as the Kiev/Arsenal Ukrainian lenses are relative bargains.
Moreover, there are many older compatible lens mount lenses made by
Schneider, Exakta, Zeiss, and other East German counterparts of the
famous European optical houses which were split up between East and West
Germany after the second world war. These lenses are relatively rare in
the USA, but can often be had for modest dollars in former Soviet block
countries and from distress sales by emigrants in the USA and elsewhere.
