Is a Kiev a good choice for a beginner to medium format photography?
Once again, this is a “yes” and “no” answer. “Yes” in the sense that they allow you to get an interchangeable lens medium format SLR quite cheaply. Also, the lenses available to Kiev cameras are usually very good and cheap. Many beginners and hobbyists cannot afford name brand systems. Yes, old TLRs can be had quite cheaply, but the TLR design makes some filter use troublesome and precludes most macro work. Folders are also available, but do not offer through the lens viewing and interchangeable lenses. “No” because they are manual everything and may be frustrating to some new users, especially those coming from auto-everything 35mm cameras. And more importantly, even when brand new they may have problems that prevent them from being usable cameras. Also, Kievs are unforgiving. Not following the instructions (a manual may or may not come with your camera, and if it does, sometimes comes written in Russian) can lead to breaking them. For this reason, people who want a budget level no-no
