Progressiveabsolution wrote:
I know this isn't the right forum, but I also know many around here
have shot with these at one point or another. The fact that the other
"film" based boards are basically dead makes me feel this is the best
place to make the post. I hope the board does not have a problem with
this as I also am an advocate of digital photography. But for a time,
I want to do medium format so I would have been able to compare my
digital with 35mm film, and now medium format images. Here are my
questions:

1) Is it best to go with the Kiev 60 (current model or one that has
been CLA'd) OR should I go with a Mamiya/Pentax...and the reasons
why...pros/cons for both cameras?

2) With the lens selection, I have learned the late model Flektogon and
Sonnar are good choices. What other lenses are as good/better? than
these two in the 100-120mm length? I know there is the late model
Biometer, but can it be bested by something else?

3) For those that have also shot with the Rollei/Blad lenses,
specifically the traditional 50/80/150 ones, what can you say about
them by comparison to the ones for the Kiev? From what I have seen, it
seems people tend to think the Flektogon is better than the Distagon
whil the 80mm Planar is better than any Kiev offering, and the 150mm is
not as good as the slightly longer 180mm Sonnar. Are these comparisons
true or not so...and what other lenses in the Kiev lineup could be
tossed in against the Rollei/Blad "traditional 3" as being similarly
good or better.

Thanks all for your help, particularly with the camera to use and then
with the lenses to go with.


I have a Kiev 60 with a couple of lenses. It served my purpose at the
time, but I use it very little now. I bought it because many of the
older Zeiss lenses would fit it. At that time the Pentax, Mamyia prices
were sky high even for used ones. The digital revolution has had many
pros dump their medium format equipment and the prices for them now are
much more reasonable. IF I could find used equipment that was even
close to the price of the Kiev that would meet my needs Id avoid the
Kiev. I used the Kiev because the outside in the environment I was
going to use it in was going to take a beating. The Kiev could take
that in that its as heavy as a tank. The mechanical workings are a
different matter and those can be somewhat fragile.

The Blad is a great camera but look at the prices of the lenses before
you buy. I needed more of a focal length selection than I could afford
to buy with the Hasselblad. The shutter is in the lens so each lens
costs lots more. If you can get by with just an 80mm then it has some
advantages. I might could now but couldn't then. Now I use mostly
digital anyway.