The Kiev 88 TTL is a single lens
reflex medium format camera with a rear mounted interchangeable film
magazine that allows image sizes 6x6
or 6x4.5 cm to be produced.
It may be fitted with either a metal (older) or a fabric (newer) focal
plane curtain
type shutter.
The camera uses standard 120
roll-film and takes 12 exposures per roll. (16 in 6X45)
The cameras shutter
provides speeds in the range of 1/1000 to 1/2 second and manual
exposures
with the "B" setting.
The shutter cocking mechanism is of
the rotating knob type (+/- crank handle) , interlocked with the
film-transport mechanism
which prevents multiple film exposures.
The camera is focused through a
ground-glass surface , micro-screen and wedges located in the centre of
the field of vision within the viewfinder.
Variations in the type of ground-glass can be found.
The camera provides a synch terminal for operating flash guns.
Standard the camera comes with an 80mm lens , either the Volna-3 or the 80mm Arsat. The focal length of these lenses are 80 mm , relative aperture is 1:2.8.
The lens is provided with a multilayer coating system as indicated on the lens by the letters MC. The multilayer coating improves the image quality , enhances its contrast due to better integral transparency and reduced light dispersion of the lens.
The lens mount is of the threaded bayonet type but newer models such as
the Kiev88CM use the Pentacon Six bayonet mount.
Normal use of this camera will be done with a TTL viewfinder with an
internal metering system , a non-metered TTL viewfinder or a
non-metered hood.
The viewfinder hood enables the
picture to be viewed directly on the ground-glass with or without using
the hoods built in magnifying
lens.
The field
of vision of the viewfinder hood measures 53x53.
The magnification of the TTL prism finder eyepiece is 3x, the field of
vision measures 53x53 mm.
The field of
vision of the interchangeable viewfinders are shown in
the picture below.
The horizontal lines indicate the 6X4.5 frame limits.
With the TTL exposure meter (located within the housing of the prism
viewfinder) you can determine the exposure
time by the amount of
light which has passed
through the lens.
Advantages and convenience of the TTL measurement system is the
automatic
control of all factors affecting the value of the exposure time.
The
meter is centre weighted and has an oval shape.
The meter can calculate measurements in the range of brightness from 2 to 16 000 cd/m2.
A cell of 4.5 V voltage (dia. 16.5 mm, length 22 mm) is used as a power source of the exposure time meter (G13 / A76 / LR44 3X cells is also suitable).
The battery health indication is
shown by the help of the lighting signals which illuminate in the field
of view of the viewfinders eyepiece.
The absence of lit signals when button 44 is pressed indicates
that replacement of the power supply source is necessary.
To replace or install new batteries , unscrew cap 49 and, observing
polarity ("+" of the battery should be at the cap end on which the "+"
symbol is engraved), install it into into its spot and replace the cap.