Kiev 80 (1980–1983)

Name: Kiev 80
Brand: Kiev

The Kiev 80 is a medium format 6x6 SLR made by the Arsenal factory in Kiev, Ukraine from 1980 to 1983. It was a simplified, streamlined variant of the Soviet Salyut-S, and is essentially an export-focused version of the Kiev 60. It was sold in the UK and other Western countries with a soft ever-ready case, often for around $100. The body is all-metal, leather-covered, heavy and solid. The shutter speed dial and winding crank are on the left side, and the shutter release is on the right.

It uses the Pentacon Six bayonet mount, shared with the Pentacon Six, Kiev 60 and Salyut. The standard lens is the Vega-12 90mm f/2.8, which is capable of excellent results. It is sharp, with a "zippy" character. The aperture ring moves freely with no click stops. That takes some getting used to, but it also makes setting any value easy. The focal-plane shutter runs from 1 sec to 1/1000 plus B, with X-sync at 1/30 via a PC port on the side. The interchangeable waist-level finder is bright and clear, with a flip-up magnifier for precise focus. It shows a mirrored image, so framing takes some adjustment. There is no built-in light meter, so plan on an external meter or Sunny 16. The camera has a double exposure prevention device, and film loads via a spool lock.

The Kiev 80 is not rare. Bodies in good condition sell for around $50-100 today. Common issues include shutter misfires at higher speeds, film advance that can skip or jam if not used correctly, dried-out light seals, and dirty or scratched finder mirrors. The shutter curtains can be sticky and need cleaning. It is wise to have one serviced, especially the shutter, before regular use. As High Fidelity (May 1963, p.12) noted in a letter from a reader about Soviet camera exchange, interest in Kiev equipment in the West went back well before this model appeared.

Format: 6x6 cm on 120 film
Lens: Vega-12 90mm f/2.8, Pentacon Six bayonet mount
Shutter: focal-plane, 1 sec to 1/1000 plus B, X-sync at 1/30
Viewfinder: interchangeable waist-level with flip-up magnifier
No built-in light meter