I year or so ago, I was looking to buy a Pentax 67, as I wanted a Medium Format camera that I could handle like a SLR. I had been budgeting for one, but I had to divert funds to other ends but I still wanted a Medium Format body that handled like a SLR even though now my budget had decreased considerably. So a bit of searching turned up the Kiev 6C and it's successor the Kiev 60. I opted for a Kiev 6C for reasons I will underline a few lines down.
-Introduction-
The Kiev 6C is a Soviet made medium format SLR style camera that can take both 120 and 220 film ( unlike it's successor the Kiev 60). Walking around with one around your neck raises some curious looks and eyebrows as it is not considered one of the best looking cameras you could lug around in public, it certainly wouldn't win any beauty contests and looks like (and is) a heavy camera.
Another "oddity" about the Kiev 6C (in relation to other cameras and its successor) is that the shutter release is on the left hand side and on the front plate of the body. As such you will need to find a way to adapt to it ( I use my left hand to focus and the thumb of the same to release it).
- What do you get when you buy one -
A basic kit will come with a waist level finder with no metering, but increasingly kits with viewfinders are available, both with and without metering.
The lens mount is the same as the Pentacon 6 (breech lock) and can take the same lenses, but the Russian made Vega,Volna, Mir and Arsat lenses put very respectable performances, tending to be very sharp. Tipically a kit will come with either a Vega or Volna 80mm 2.8 (and this will be your standard lens) or a 90mm lens.
Specialists dealers will also be able to provide a range of modifications, from Polaroid backs, 645 film conversions and even fake crocodile skin leather body finish in a multitude of colours among other things.
Non-Specialist dealers will generally lie about the condition of the cameras so caution when purchasing one is important. Doing a bit of research will turn up who is and who is not a reliable seller.
- Using a Kiev 6C,quirks and do's and don'ts -
A camera as inexpensive as the Kiev has it's quirks. The more modern Kiev 60 has a variety of mechanical problems due to poor quality control and extreme care in winding the film is paramount; you cannot let the lever snap back into position as it can damage the cogs in the mechanism and also frame overlapping is common. For these reasons, most buyers tend to choose the 6C that are still around, as they have stood the test of time. You still have to take care when winding.
Another curiosity is it's mirror. It is not instant return as the vast majority of cameras, so if you don't wind the camera you have no view through the viewfinder.
In use, it's not for small hands as you would expect for a Medium Format SLR, but the Kiev 6C makes it obviously so.
It is also certainly a camera for slower paced work, as a look through some of its quirks suggest and use will confirm. It's the kind of camera that you want to keep ready for the next shot as soon as you take one.
Going for a model with a metered prism is a plus, but be prepared to spend some money on button cell batteries. The metered prisms go through the batteries like there is no tomorrow and also the readout is way to simplistic; you have three lights, the middle one is green and tells you that you have the "right" exposure according to the meter. Furthermore, brush up on your Russian and the GOSHT film scale as most cameras are not supplied with a manual. As such, it is advisable to get a handheld meter and use a bit of judgement.
Negatives aside, camera and photography enthusiasts will find it's a joy to use and see the results. The Russian lenses are generally very sharp with good contrast and colour. The Super Wide Angle Arsat 30mm f3.5 is a fun lens to use and running transparency film through the camera with this lens, seeing the results makes you want to use it more and more. Shutter speeds can be set from B to 1/1000th albeit flash synch is at a very low speed of 1/30th. It is also recommended that below 1/125th you use a tripod due to the tremendous mirror slap, but some have been able to handle this camera at slower speeds.
Conclusion
All in all, despite it's quirks, it is a nice camera to use that with care will give you years of service and some great photos.
The price of both the camera and the lenses make it a very attractive proposition to film photography amateurs and enthusiasts and what this kit can output should definately put it high on the lists of those on a low budget.
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