CameraWorth.com

Kiev 88

The Kiev 88 is a Soviet-built medium format 6x6 SLR produced by the Arsenal factory in Kyiv, using 120 roll film in detachable backs. Styled after the early Hasselblad 1000F, it was positioned as an affordable route into waist-level medium format photography.

At recent UK auction, Kiev 88 hammer prices have clustered between roughly £110 and £250, with a median around £160 — the wholesale saleroom level before commission, rather than dealer retail. As of 2026, complete outfits with a working waist-level finder, film back and 80mm normal lens tend to sell for more than bodies alone, and condition of the shutter curtains is what the market prices on.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Prices updated: June 2025

Date Price Source
Jun 2025 £212 Flints Auctions
Feb 2025 £188 Flints Auctions
Sep 2024 £200 Flints Auctions
Aug 2023 £110 Special Auction Services
Aug 2023 £160 Special Auction Services
Aug 2023 £160 Special Auction Services
Apr 2023 £88 Flints Auctions
Mar 2023 £250 Flints Auctions
May 2004 EUR 162 Leitz Auction
Mar 2001 £70 Christie's
Mar 1998 £80 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Kiev 88 worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer results put the Kiev 88 between about £110 and £250, with a typical price around £160 for a working example with a lens and back.

How much does a Kiev 88 sell for at auction?

Saleroom hammer prices have ranged from £110 for tidier body-and-lens combinations up to £250 for more complete outfits, with most sales landing near the £160 median.

What affects the value of a Kiev 88?

Shutter condition is the single biggest factor, followed by whether the camera comes with a matched film back, waist-level finder and 80mm lens; incomplete or shutter-faulty examples sell well below the median price.

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