Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/10/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Charlie Optically, the Ukrainian cameras would, in my experience, rank immediately behind Rollei & Hassie in quality. Superb lenses. Certainly, in overall quality, the Kiev MF cameras would rank substantially ahead of Seagull, Pearl River, Lubitel, and the like, as well. In terms of quality, sure, their poor QA puts them in the middle with Mamiya and Bronica and the other also-rans. It's the low price and superlative lenses which really pull the Kiev MF cameras ahead of the others in the middle, though. My experience is limited, however: I have owned and shot extensively only with a slew of Rollei TLR's, Hassie, a Super Ikonta, Ikoflex, Baby Bessa, and a Mamiya RB67. I have handled and used briefly most of the other major brands, but never enough to make a really deep impression, just a feeling that I'd not be happy with them as primary cameras. Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!