K88 models

The Different Models

    Here I'll try to describe the various models of K-88's. I'm sure I'll miss some as there are many modified versions sold throughout the world. Basically these are divided into the screw type "B" mount and the bayonet "P-6" mount. From the original salyut design these were a copy of the early hasselblad 1000F and copied the screw type mount these used. For some unknown reason the backs were made slightly different so they won't interchange with a 'blad but the finders will. This includes K-88's made to the present day except for some Hartblei modified bodies.

    People wanted to use P-6 type lenses on the 88 so people began modifying them to work with the P-6 lenses. Most of these modified bodies use a "twist and click" type mount. Then in the late 90's Arsenal started making the 88cm which has a lockring type mount sorta like a K-60 uses. Also they beefed up the bottom plate where the tripod mounts which was a major weak point in the original design and could cause problems with the internal gearing if the bottom got distorted from tripod use. They also added a wind crank (which upgraders were also doing) instead of a knob which makes the camera much easier to use.

    Which of these are "the best"? That's open to opinion and samples of any of them can work well or be "junk". That's part of the problem, you don't really know what you'll end up with until you get one and start using it. I'm going to list the models of each type, who makes them and then give some other info based on the research I've done.

Screw type mount bodies	P-6 Type mount bodies
Original Salyut Arsenal K-88 Kiev USA K-88 CC Hartblei 88 (M model has MLU) Hartblei 1008 ('blad back compatible)	KievCamera K88-CM Kiev USA K88 CB Hartblei 688 (M model has MLU) Hartblei 1006 ('blad back compatible) Arax K88

    The screw mount bodies only work with the soviet lenses and many people want to use the Zeiss lenses made for the pentacon so that may limit which model you want to buy. Then you have to decide if you want a "twist and click" or a lock ring type P-6 mount. Kiev camera has modified the lockring on their camera so most CZJ lenses fit and might fit some lenses that won't on the twist and click and vice versa. Most fit the most popular lenses and accessories but their are exceptions to this so don't be shocked if something doesn't fit!

    Some cameras have cloth shutter curtains and their are two trains of thought on this. The camera was originally designed for metal curtains and they allow higher tension which can help with banding/fade. Also the guides/slots were designed for these thinner curtains. Then again the cloth shutters run smoother and make less noise so might be better for some people. I've found from my research the metal curtain models seem to have less problems and end up being more reliable.

    That leaves the back compatibility. There are the kiev backs which most use and the few hartblei models that use the smoother, more expensive 'blad backs. Some people are of the opinion that many of the K88's problems stem from bad backs that then break the body. Given that 'blad prices have dropped, it makes sense to me to use them to try to avoid some of the issues that bad backs can cause, but doing so limits your choice to Hartblei.