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I've read that the Kiev 88 is an unwieldy camera, and it is. The ergonomics are practically nonexistent and it weighs a ton! BUT, it is worth it. The images produced are of astounding quality, regardless of the difficulty getting them. After researching and reading as much as I could about these, there are some "golden rules" to using a Kiev. Always advance the shutter after taking a shot, change shutter speed clockwise (direction of shutter advance), and never change shutter speed if it's not cocked, etc.. These are good habits to get into, as failing to can wreck your camera. The thing is a beast. All metal, no electronics, no meter no nothing! It's slow to get the shot. You have to think, really get into it, connect with your camera and your subject. Totally worth it. I wont claim to be an expert by any means, but I can say this camera will help take you to the next level of photography (if you're just getting into medium format). It's a great camera to relearn your process for taking photographs, and the results are stunning. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a great looking, heavy hitting, hard to manage, but very tamable beast. The results are worth carrying around the weight.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes
If you are looking for a Kiev 88CM, you probably know what you are getting into: a relatively inexpensive medium-format camera that is modeled from early Hasselblads without much in the way of quality-control from the assembly line. Get a good one and you are good for a few years at least. Get a bad one and you can either spend twice as much as you did originally to get it working or you have yourself a great doorstop. If you are new to medium-format, I would suggest starting with a Holga, then work your way up to Mamiya or Bronica before tackling this. I own two Kiev 88CMs now and both work quite well (knock on wood). The lenses are superb. The mechanics are quite rough around the edges. I doubt either camera will last more than a few years, while my well-worn Bronica should go a lot longer than I can. Negative points aside, this is still a fun camera to shoot with and the images are generally excellent.Read full review
it's a good camera, but be sure to read the technical manual, downloadable, and share with the forum users of this camera, to know the qualities and disadvantages to be avoided for simple and secure without risk of breakage for certain maneuvers, it's a beautiful camera in superb condition, with magnificent lens, very sturdy and fragile at the same time, so a careful and respectful practice, it will accompany you probably for life ... without exaggeration!
This is a great looking camera that also shoots great. It has pentacon six lens mount which gives you wide possiblities for lens options. Perhaps it is not so subtle, but I personally like its robust body. Every recommendation for it.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! The body works extremely well and is in GREAT condition. The picture shows it has a view finder, but it didn't. Better pictures of the product would have helped me decide to buy it or not. The camera is better then others, but the pictures tricked me and maybe a kit could have been better.