Pentacon Six TL

R

ruben

Guest
If it is better or worse than an Kiev 60, it is a matter of high controversy. But it is said at TRA site and other places, the Pentacon is more silent and more light than the Kiev 60. And smaller too.

Yet I cannot find the data anywhere. Can anyone here give me a hint ?

Cheers,
Ruben
 
Ruben, I've owned both. I actually mangaged to find a brand new Pentacon body. It didn't last 1 roll till the transport mechanism broke. On the other hand I've owned 3 Kiev 60's without any problems. They were Hartblei. I don't know if that makes a diff. Stu
 
I had both and the Kiev did have the transport problem. First it left too much space in between frames, then I got 13 shots on a roll. When I sent it to a friend, frames were on top of each other for a couple millimeters.

Film transport faults are common with Kiev 60's too and you can find websites talking about this problem and tips on how to fix it. Probably the same tips could somehow work with Pentacon too.

I've had 2 Pentacon Sixes and both worked great and I liked the shape a lot more, so I wouldn't get another Kiev 60... 88 maybe though, or even better: 88 CM (or Hartblei or...)
 
I have Pentacon 6 lenses which I use on a Mamiya 645 with an adapter. I have never used a Pentacon 6 body yet.
 
The Zeiss Jena lenses are great and the 180/2.8 and 300/4 Sonnars came with automatic diaphragm coupled adapters for Pentax thread mount. Before reunification East German stuff was dirt cheap!
 
Ruben, the site you might want to look at is www.pentaconsix.com.

There is a seller called Cupog on the auction site who does CLA'd P6's and I have bought mine from there. There have been no problems at all, over a period of more than a year. As these machines are definitely not new any more, it probably comes down to the history of the specific camera - just like all our old cameras I suppose.

The P6 shutter and mirror are very light and quiet, compared to a Kiev (one which was not adjusted recently, almost certainly) that I have used. The viewfinders, prisms etc are in reasonable supply and the breech-lock lensmount is the same as Kiev 60.

I have some doubts about quality of the Kiev, Hasselblad-like, copies due to the complexity - but it is still also possible to find them from a source that rebuilds and guarantees them (eg. Araxfoto) although I have not tried that route, as the P6 works fine for me.

Medium-format knocks 35mm in to touch for quality of results for sure, and these cameras are excellent entry points to the format.

Good luck and keep us informed . . . .
 
I also use the ZJ lenses for the P6 on a Canon FD with an adapter.
My recommedation is to leave the P6 body and get a Mamiya 645 instead.
 
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I recently got a Kiev 60 (and a Kiev 88 as well) and have been very impressed with its ease of use and quality of results. It did have the frame overlap problem, but KievaholicKlub.com has excellent instructions for how to cure it.

I find the shutter release on the camera very smooth, the TTL finder bright and accurate, and overall quality of construction quite good. I think the 60 is actually an improvement over the Pentacon.
 
The choice of 6x6 vs. 645 would be more important to many photographers than the choice of camera body style. A Pentacon or Kiev can be reliable if it is in good condition and used with some basic care.
 
I just noticed the forum that this post is in - the Pentacons are neither rangefinders or Former Soviet Union built. Maybe it should be moved to the SLR forum to avoid future confusion ?
 
Hi Folks,

I do purchased a Kiev, after a long time wanting to, but after having it pending from my neck for several times - it broke my will to continue.

Now, the question is if the weight difference in favour of the Pentacon will make it.

Be it said that I used the Kiev with a non-metering pentaprism, and thus I want to use the Pentacon in the eventuality of purchasing one.

Thanks,
Ruben
 
The Pentacon Six TL is a very solidly build Camera - get a serviced one and it will serve you for years. Just never let the winder snap back!, it will break that "Dinosaurs" neck.
Apart from that the Sonnars and Biometars you can get with it are outstanding performers. Most professionals in the ex-GDR used them till they went out of production in the end80´s.
There is a guy in the Schwarzwald-region who is specialized in servicing/ repairnig/ improoving them. Look here:

http://www.baierfoto.de/#english

Good luck though with your new P6, it´ll be well worth carrying around the additional weight.
Gottfried
 
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