The Kiev 88 medium-format camera system was produced in several versions, and the lens mount depends on the specific camera and lens. Some early models used a screw-type mount, while later versions commonly used the Pentacon Six bayonet. The different mounts can be confusing, so identify the exact version before buying an adapter.
The Kiev 88 has a reputation for reliability problems, often associated with its cloth focal-plane shutter and mechanical tolerances. That should not obscure the appeal of the lenses. The system offered a range of interesting optics from manufacturers such as Arsenal, Carl Zeiss Jena and Schneider-Kreuznach.
I had tried several ways of adapting these lenses over the years, often with disappointing results. The Fotodiox Pro Kiev 88 to Sony A-Mount adapter was a much more positive experience. It was accurately made, felt well finished and fitted securely. It is a manual adapter, so there is no electronic communication with the camera. Autofocus, automatic aperture control and lens-based stabilisation are therefore unavailable; metering and in-body stabilisation depend on the camera and setup.
Comparing medium-format and full-frame angles of view
It is easy to become confused when comparing focal lengths across different film and sensor formats. A lens does not change its focal length when you adapt it to another camera. What changes is the angle of view, because the sensor or film format is different.
For reference, the diagonal of a 35mm full-frame sensor is about 43.3mm, while the diagonal of a 6×6cm frame is approximately 84.8mm. The ratio is about 1.96. This is useful when comparing equivalent angles of view between formats, but it does not mean that a 300mm lens becomes a 153mm lens when mounted on a full-frame camera. On the A-Mount camera, it remains a 300mm lens with the field of view expected from a 300mm lens on full frame.
I am excited by the range of lenses this opens up. My next article will look at the MC Arsat fisheye 30mm f/3.5.
Historical note: This article reflects the adapters and camera system I used in 2017. Check the exact lens mount, adapter compatibility and mirror clearance before mounting any vintage lens.
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