Kiev 6C. First post!

Hi all. This is my first topic on this forum, so a small introduction about myself is in place. I am Norwegian and got my first encounter with ex-USSR goods when I visited St. Petersburg with my parents in 1991. That was just after the city changed name. I did not buy any cameras on that trip, but a couple of "Vostok" wristwatches. :)

Later, in 2001 I think, I was introduced to the varity of cameras on eBay through a friend who bought a Zorki 4. I got bitten by the bug and bought a Fed-2, Zorki 4, Zenit, Zenit 12xp and Kiev 4. After a while I sold most of them, turning more over to vintage Nikons, but kept the excellent Fed-2.

But, now in 2009, I was looking for nice Medium format cameras and the ex-USSR stuff turns up again. I won a vintage Kiev 6C with a best offer of just 60 USD! Even with 45 USD shipping I am very happy with the goods. Original box with hammer and sickle, manual, case, TTL prism, waistlevel finder and caps! There was even a set of 77mm filters.. All matching serial numbers in the passport.


Full set!






I wonder what these filters are for?




There is a speck of dust/ paint between the lenses in the rear.. Is this something I can remove by myself? Considering the price of these Vega 12b's it would be cheaper to buy a new.. Even though it is the original lens for the camera.






There even was film installed in the camera!! Hopefully, I did not screw up when opening the back. Think I will deliver it for processing. Could anyone tell me what film this is (Smena)?






I wonder what these papers say..

Hello and welcome, Christian!

Nice set! I got the same one, the quality of this camera is excellent, I love shooting it but my neck hurts later for carrying it around .

The film is original Soviet most common film called "Svema", the papers is what is called "Passport" that has a manufacture date and name and address of the original owner in which case it's Ivan Taranov. And the stamp on the back says that he had extended the warranty. I like this lens so much that I got an adapter to convert to M42 and in conjunction with M42 to Nikon bayonet I can mount his Vega lens on my Nikon D80... but alas it does not focus on infinity but for close up shooting, very nice quality. .

Cheers,
Vlad.

Thanks for the welcome and information. A friendly forum.

Hopefully, the old film will reveal some vintage pictures, can you tell if it is usual C-41 process or is it for home development?

It is a well used camera, but everything appears to be working. Will see how the TTL-prism works. Amazing how the USSR stuff have passports with QC stamps, serial numbers and names of the owners.. For western goods, this is rarely filled out. It makes a nice vintage touch! :-)

hi Vlad....
I think something wrong whith your adapter on D80 ....normally you can focus at infinity whithout problem...
may be your 42 screw adapter is too thick ?

anyway , you know , exist an adapter Kiev6 lense direct to Nikon body.

Alain

Hello Christian: Nice outfit. Yes the speck on the rear element can be removed. There are two spanner slots that you unthread c.c.w. to remove, then the element should come off. First though be careful that you don't flip the glass in order to replace it properly. To do it properly you should use a spanner wrench , This will let you put even torque on both slots evenly. Once in a while you will find that they are tight, You have to be careful but use a bit of acetone on a q-tip on just the threaded part only. When replacing the element clean the glass gently and make sure there is no dust on the glass. Don

ZORKIE'S Survive