Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/06/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]About six months ago I bought one of the Kiev model 60 kits. I liked it so much that I decided to go full tilt and get the first design of this type -- a Pentacon Six. I really don't need two so if anybody wants to take the original Kiev 60 off my hands I'll sell it for $160. This is the cheapest way you will ever find to get into quality medium format with interchangeable lenses and finders. Here's what's included: 1. Kiev 60 body almost new. (there is a tiny ding in the corner of the top plate that doesn't affect functioning. The reason I kept the camera despite this imperfection was that everything else worked. When you buy these you sort of take a gamble, because QC is lacking in the old Ukraine factory. I figured that if everything else works I could live with a small cosmetic defect.) 2. Arsat 80/2.8 lens with rubber folding shade. I believe this is multicoated. This is a very sharp lens, by the way. Smooth helical and nice click stops. Metering is done wide open with auto diaphragm at moment of exposure. 3. Eye level prism finder with built in meter (later type) with batteries. 4. Waist level finder, no meter, but magnifier. 5. Some filters for B+W work that came with the camera. 6. Accessory shoe. 7. Neck strap. 8. Instructions in Russian and poor English translation. 9. Hard case gadget bag sort of thing that looks like an overgrown binocular case, with leather strap and shoulder pad. It is specially made for this camera, but I never could figure out how to fit it all in there. Have fun! 10. Various lens caps and body cap. This is a fun camera to use that delivers excellent results. It looks like an overgrown 35mm SLR. The lens mount is the Pentacon Six style, so if you get into this format you can select from a plentiful supply of top quality Carl Zeiss Jena optics at very cheap prices. Sonnar 180/2.8's multicoated go for $325 or so. Flektogon MC 50/4.0 a little less. And the whole stable of brand new Ukrainian lenses is also available for cheaper still. As an example, I got a new 30/3.5 fisheye for $180 that ain't half bad even. (I'm keeping it.) Extension tubes that maintain auto aperture operation are $25 or so. Also available are complete extension tube sets, reversing rings, and bellows -- at reasonable pricing. On this example, the shutter and frame spacing work just fine. My wife says I have too many cameras and need to get rid of some, so this is up for sale since it duplicates the Pentacon I bought. For the price you really cannot go wrong. I will probably have to ship this in two boxes so figure on $15 extra for priority mail to the USA. The Lugger who gets this will be surprised at the quality. I would be curious about your reaction to the results of pictures taken with this monster compared side by side with any 35mm enlargement. The first person to respond and say "I'll take it" gets it. John