Author Topic: the new Arax 88 (Read 8491 times)

This-is-damion · « **on:** June 13, 2007, 08:41:27 AM »

Finally rec'd my new ARAX 88, a rebuilt Kiev 88, i will try and cobble together a proper review asap, but for time being here are first few test shots.

[attachment deleted by admin]

astrobeck · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2007, 06:24:03 PM »

Looks like a keeper to me. Love the family photos.....
Your parents are gorgeous people.

anxious for the review

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2007, 06:59:18 PM »

This sure looks like a sweet camera......looking at these great portraits makes me realise I have to take more. Portraits always seem to have their own soul.

beck · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2007, 02:31:17 AM »

Ohhh...that one of your Pops is super dang nice. What a great looking gent he is too....and mama....and sonny boy.

These are nice to look at...I think you landed yourself a great get up.

formica · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2007, 05:30:27 AM »

a really nice set of portraits. i especially like the self-portrait and the bad brains with gloves shot.

william

This-is-damion · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2007, 10:15:41 PM »

Many thanks - appreciate the positive comments!

will try to knock up a review asap, just please please dont expect the level of compentancy as you might expect from other filmwasters!

I also have a short review to write of todays jaunt to the Ilford factory with Leon & Ed. ...much fun!

Skorj · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2007, 11:51:32 AM »

Review! Review! Review!

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2011, 02:23:18 PM »

As i'm considering that camera, too. How about a short review now? I went through your Flickr stream and only found images from 2007 that you took with this camera. So it seems that it wasn't that great after all?

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2011, 04:28:26 PM »

Urban, I think Damion ended up sending the camera back....or selling it. Either way he didn't get on with it. I may be wrong, of course. I'll get him to take a look here and reply when he has time.

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #9 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:08:31 PM »

Thanks Ed. I'm lying in bed with a cold (the kid) and I don't have much to do so I'm coming up with cameras to buy

Maybe I should just save up for a Bronica SQ with a wide angle lens instead.

Urban

This-is-damion · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:31:39 PM »

It's a good camera! Basically I started to see light leaks so contacted arax. They shipped it at thier own expense, replaced one of the backs and sent it back to me. Very impressed with the service.

The only reason i don't use it more is I got given a bronica

I'll happily sell my 88, metered prism, 2 backs, bag, 3 lenses.... For the right offer!!

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #11 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:45:23 PM »

Thanks Damion. When I'm over this cold I'll get back to you!

sapata · « **Reply #12 on:** June 23, 2011, 08:12:20 PM »

Am I the only one who's got a message saying "[attachment deleted by admin]"

Terry · « **Reply #13 on:** June 23, 2011, 08:16:03 PM »

No, you're not! The original post is four years old.

sapata · « **Reply #14 on:** June 23, 2011, 08:17:46 PM »

i see...

Abdul Hye · « **Reply #15 on:** June 24, 2011, 12:19:28 AM »

I can’t comment on the ARAX 88 however I do own a Kiev 88 TTL. Bought it off ebay. I was going to use it for a few weeks but I think I’ll keep it as it’s growing on me. Very heavy solid camera. It came with a 30mm f/3.5 Arsat Lens.

I took it with me on the recent Film Photography Podcast meetup.

I just checked out a website that sells the ARAX 88 and there seems to be some difference between the models so I don’t think a review from me would be helpful.

Here are some pictures I took with it.

FPP Meet-Up London 9 - St Pauls by Tea, two sugars, on Flickr

FPP Meet-Up London 6 - Millennium Bridge by Tea, two sugars, on Flickr

Terry · « **Reply #16 on:** June 24, 2011, 03:36:47 AM »

I have an Arax 60, their rebuild of the Kiev 60 which is a knockoff of the Pentacon Six (sort of). The Kiev cameras were made at the Arsenal works in Kiev (now closed). While reasonably well designed, they were manufactured to a very poor standard, especially toward the end of the Soviet Union. Gevorg Vartanyan, who I think worked at Arsenal, bought up much of the factory's stock and remanufactured the cameras to a much higher standard. While I don't know the Arax 88 I do know that they do good work generally. I have sent lenses to them for recoating and was very pleased by the work they did. (Sadly they stopped doing recoating.) My sense is that their cameras are great value for the money.

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #17 on:** June 24, 2011, 06:21:32 AM »

Thanks everyone. It seems like there's no way around that camera for me now.

Mil Mascaras · « **Reply #18 on:** June 24, 2011, 09:24:12 AM »

Looks like you have already made your decision but be advised that these are freakin tanks and weight like one. I'd hate to be carrying around one of them all day.

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #19 on:** June 24, 2011, 10:04:42 AM »

I'm well aware of that Mil. That's why I won't sell my Yashica Mat

But thanks for the warning!

Urban

jojonas~ · « **Reply #20 on:** June 24, 2011, 10:41:19 AM »

sapata: I gather it's something about an update of the forum. from a certain date and back in time all attached photos are missing.

sapata · « **Reply #21 on:** June 24, 2011, 05:50:43 PM »

Quote from: jojonas on June 24, 2011, 10:41:19 AM

sapata: I gather it's something about an update of the forum. from a certain date and back in time all attached photos are missing.

Thanks jojonas...

Terry · « **Reply #22 on:** June 24, 2011, 08:59:24 PM »

I did have a Kiev 88 for a while, and while I didn't mind the weight I was aware of the noise. You won't sneak up on anyone with this camera.

I was just revisiting Gevorg's website. I can't believe that they haven't raised their prices--300 bucks for that camera seems like a great deal. I did notice, though, that their selection of lenses is greatly reduced--once they're gone, they're all gone. It's sad that Arsenal closed.

Author Topic: the new Arax 88 (Read 8491 times)

astrobeck

Terry

Terry

Terry