INTRODUCTION

The Kiev 60 is a medium format SLR. With its Pentacon Six mount, it gives you access to very nice Ukrainian lenses.

This huge camera was made by the Arsenal factory in Ukraine, between 1984 and 1999. Some New old stock can still be found on eBay.

BEST SUITED FOR:

Art

PERSONAL NOTES

The first thing you notice with this camera is that it's big. I mean, huge! No wonder why they say it's a SLR on steroids...

I had a Kiev 6C first, it was broken upon arrival, so I replaced it with this Kiev 60. The 2 big difference between the 6C and the 60 are: The 6C have its shutter release on the left side, a bit cumbersome. And the 60 is still available as new on eBay.

The Kiev 60 was my first good quality medium format camera. With good lenses, I was able to print large amazing photos. I explored the many Ukrainien lenses available for the Pentacon-Six mount. They are incredible lenses. The 30mm f3.5 Fisheye is overwhelming, the 150mm f2.8 Kaleinar is a magnificent portrait lens with superb bokeh.

The only drawback with this system is the bad mechanic. The lenses are amazing, but the camera bodies are not durable. I had 4 Kiev, they all broke within a year.

After using Kievs, I switched to Hasselblad, but I was nostalgic about the Ukrainian lenses. I finally found the solution with the Hasselblad 1000F.

CONCLUSION

If you want good glass for cheap, you can buy a Kiev camera, but be aware that over time, they develop mechanical issues.

PHOTO SAMPLES

VERDICT:

3 FLASHBULBS