KIEV 60

Name: Kiev 60
Brand: Kiev

The Kiev 60 is a Soviet-built 6×6 cm medium format single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. The Arsenal Factory in Kyiv, Ukraine, made it from 1984 to 1999. It was designed as a professional-grade system camera with a Pentacon Six lens mount, through-the-lens (TTL) metering, and modular construction. That made it a versatile tool for studio, portrait, and landscape work.

Overview

The Kiev 60 was developed as a modernized successor to the earlier Kiev 6 and Kiev 6S. It brought refinements in build quality, metering accuracy, and ergonomics. It arrived in the final decade of the Soviet Union, aimed at domestic professionals and at export markets that wanted an affordable alternative to Western medium format systems like the Hasselblad 500 series and Bronica SQ. Unlike its predecessors, it had a fixed, integrated pentaprism housing with a TTL metering system. That removed the need for external metering attachments.

The Kiev 60 is built around the widely adopted Pentacon Six (also known as Praktica PL or East German 6×6) lens mount. That gave it access to a broad range of manual focus lenses from Carl Zeiss Jena, Meyer-Optik, Schneider-Kreuznach, and others, plus Arsenal's own Arsenal-brand optics. The focal-plane cloth shutter runs from 1 second to 1/1000, plus Bulb mode. Flash sync is 1/60 second via PC terminal and hot shoe. The modular design allowed interchangeable film backs, viewfinders (though limited in practice), and focusing screens. System flexibility was still held back by inconsistent manufacturing tolerances and limited accessory availability outside the Eastern Bloc.

The Kiev 60 has a rugged metal body and capable optics when paired with quality lenses. It also suffered from inconsistent quality control, a legacy of the Soviet industrial model. Units varied significantly in finish, mechanical precision, and light sealing. Later production models (post-1991) often show greater build inconsistencies, due to the economic instability that followed the dissolution of the USSR. It still offered high-format capability at a fraction of the cost of Western counterparts.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	Single-Lens Reflex (SLR)
Film Format	6×6 cm (120 and 220 roll film)
Years Produced	1984–1999
Lens Mount	Pentacon Six (PSK)
Shutter	Vertically-traveling cloth focal-plane shutter; speeds 1–1/1000 sec + B
Metering	TTL open-aperture metering via CdS cell in pentaprism housing
Exposure Modes	Manual only (stop-down metering via preview lever)
Viewfinder	Fixed pentaprism with interchangeable focusing screens; 93% coverage, 0.85× magnification
Dimensions	105 × 105 × 125 mm (W×H×D); weight: ~1,050 g (body only, no film back or battery)

Key Features

Pentacon Six Lens Mount: Enables use of a wide array of third-party and Soviet-made 6×6 lenses, enhancing system flexibility and lens choice.
Integrated TTL Metering: Through-the-lens CdS metering with open-aperture composition and stop-down exposure confirmation via dedicated preview lever.
Modular Film Backs: Interchangeable film magazines allow mid-roll film changes and support for both 120 and 220 film formats.
Focal-Plane Shutter: Offers flash sync at all speeds up to 1/60 sec and high-speed capability to 1/1000 sec, uncommon in many medium format SLRs of the era.
Interchangeable Focusing Screens: Multiple screen types available (matte, grid, microprism) for specialized focusing needs.

Historical Context

The Kiev 60 was released in 1984, during a period of stagnation in Soviet consumer electronics and photographic industries. It was a belated modernization of the Kiev 6 series, which itself derived from the East German KW (Praktisix) design of the 1950s. By the 1980s, Western medium format systems such as the Hasselblad 500ELX, Bronica SQ-A, and Mamiya RB67 dominated professional markets with superior reliability, precision engineering, and comprehensive accessory systems. The Kiev 60 competed on price and format equivalence rather than build quality or automation.

Despite its technical capabilities, the camera faced significant challenges in international markets due to its reputation for inconsistent assembly, light leaks, shutter timing inaccuracies, and unreliable film transport mechanisms. However, in regions where Western equipment was prohibitively expensive or inaccessible, the Kiev 60 found a niche among budget-conscious professionals and enthusiasts. Its release coincided with the final years of centralized Soviet manufacturing, and production continued into the 1990s under Ukrainian management after the USSR’s collapse, though with declining quality and supply chain reliability.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Kiev 60 is regarded as a budget entry point into modular 6×6 SLR photography. Used prices typically range from $150 to $400 USD, depending on condition, included accessories, and film back availability. Fully functional units with clean viewfinders, accurate shutters, and light-tight film backs command higher prices. Buyers should inspect for common issues: shutter curtain wear, light leaks around the film back seal, prism fogging, and inconsistent film advance.

With no electronic dependencies, the Kiev 60 can be a durable tool if properly maintained. Original Kiev lenses (e.g., Volna-3, Arsenal 80mm f/2.0) vary in optical quality. Many users prefer pairing the body with Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar or Flektogon lenses for sharpness and contrast. Complete, well-functioning systems are uncommon but not rare. Repair parts are limited but available through specialist vendors and Eastern European surplus sources.

Similar Cameras

Hasselblad 500C/M – Swedish-made 6×6 SLR with modular design, leaf shutter lenses, and superior build quality.
Bronica SQ-Ai – Japanese 6×6 SLR with TTL metering, interchangeable backs, and robust mechanical construction.
Pentacon Six TL – East German SLR with identical lens mount and similar format, but with a waist-level finder as standard.
Mamiya RB67 Pro-S – Rotating back 6×7 SLR with focal-plane shutter and professional-grade modularity.
Kiev 88 – Soviet-built 6×6 SLR with interchangeable backs and lenses, based on the Hasselblad design but with a different mount.

Repair & Maintenance

The Kiev 60 uses a single 1.35V mercury battery (PX625 or equivalent; modern substitutes include Wein Cell or 1.4V hearing aid batteries with exposure compensation) for its CdS meter. The camera works mechanically without battery power, but metering is disabled. Common maintenance issues include degraded light seals (which should be replaced every 10-15 years), sticky shutter curtains, and misaligned film pressure plates. Shutter timing often needs calibration, especially in older units, and the film advance mechanism may develop play over time.

Repair is considered moderately difficult because of limited official support and proprietary components. A community of enthusiasts and specialized technicians in Eastern Europe and North America provides servicing. Cleaning the pentaprism and mirror assembly takes care to avoid coating damage. Lubrication of the focal-plane shutter and film transport should only be done by experienced technicians, since improper servicing can lead to curtain tears or frame spacing errors. Regular cleaning, light seal replacement, and periodic CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) are recommended.