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If you have the opportunity, test before you buy. If not, be sure you have a warranty or be ready to factor in the cost of a repair.
TEST THE LENS
- Ensure the lens will stop down to all apertures
- Check the lens for clarity and debris
- Check the lens to see that the iris is well centered
- Look for loose or sluggish blades in the diaphragm
TEST THE CAMERA
- Check the flash synch. It should operate at all speeds from 1/8 to 1/30 and not operate at faster shutter speeds
- Open the camera back and inspect the lens curtain for tears or burn marks.
- Test each shutter speed
- Try a cable release to verify that this shutter feature operates with the shutter time set to B (bulb)
- With the lens removed, test the mirror lockup feature if one is installed.
- Test the depth of field preview lever on the camera body and or lens..
TRIAL ROLL OF FILM
- Check the frame spacing on the negative -
this is the most common complaint with the Kiev 60. You may see some variation in frame-to-frame spacing, but you want to be sure you have room to cut the negatives apart. None of the frames should touch (kiss) or overlap one another. If they do and you're still under warranty, get a different camera. Otherwise check out the Kiev Calibration Site.
Test the exposure with Slide film
Test the reciprocity, shooting two frames at each exposure:
- Begin with the lens at or near wide open
- Mount the camera on a tripod
- Calculate the appropriate shutter speed using the exposure meter
- Shoot two frames in succession
- Stop the lens down and increase the shutter speed by one stop
- Shoot two more frames
- Repeat for 12 frames
- Develop the film and check the negative for acceptable shutter spacing (no kissing or overlapping frames)
- Check for consistency between exposure pairs
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