The nature of taking equipment in on consignment is somewhat unpredictable, we just do not know who will walk through our doors and with what equipment.  We could never have predicted this Soviet invasion of sorts, brought in by a new consignor in early 2019.  We got the Soviet imitation of just about every major camera from the 1950s and 1960s.  The group included a Zorki-4, a Kiev 88, a Fed 2 (Type C, specifically), Kiev 4M and an Iskra 2.  Soviet equipment like this can often be a bit of a double-edged sword.  On one hand, we love the optics - talk about glass that has character!  On the other hand, the cameras themselves were often manufactured with inconsistent workmanship or assembled with softer metals, prone to wearing out quickly.  Now, if you get a Soviet camera overhauled,  you'll have a surprisingly effective camera on your hands.  There are several companies out there that will repair these cameras and even upgrade them, adding new features or replacing softer metal components with higher quality ones.  We have had our eye on Arax in the Ukraine for a while, for example.  They specialize in the Kiev 88 line, repairing the cameras and even selling new ones.  We have yet to do any business with them though so we cannot speak from personal experience. ⠀ 

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The Kiev 88 system has been jokingly called the Hasselbladski.  While it began life as a Hasselblad clone, over the years it has morphed into something slightly different.  As Hasselblad kits continue to steadily climb in price, the Kiev 88 becomes a very viable, inexpensive alternative... especially if you track down the later 88CM version, refurbished by Arax. 

There are some key differences between Hasselblads and Kievs.  First off, they do not share lenses.   The early Kievs use a screwmount system that is similar to the original Hasselblad lens mount but is not reliably compatible.  Hasselblad moved on to the V system bayonet mount and the later Kievs moved on to the Pentacon mount.  Another difference, the film backs are not compatible, though they look like it, so please beware.  The gearing in the backs is different and, while a Kiev back will clip onto a Hasselblad and vice versa, bad things may result when you try advancing film.  One similarity between the two is that the viewfinders are interchangeable.  Some Hasselblad users like tracking down the Kiev metered prisms or waist level finders as low cost alternatives to the Hasselblad accessories.   Additionally, the Kiev has a hot shoe, something which Hasselblad lacks.   Early Kievs also had self-timers, though these should be approached with extreme caution.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

One final note, if you have a Kiev in need of servicing, look up Arax.  We have never used them personally, but have heard mostly favorable things about the service they do on these cameras.   If you have had a Kiev serviced by them, we would love to hear about the experience.

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