Ozan Mutlu Dursun (@ozanmutludursun) and his Weapon of Choice: Kiev 60

8

Despite its massive weight and chunky built, lomographer Ozan Mutlu Dursun still chooses to practice portraiture with a Kiev 60. In this quick chat, he details the pros and cons of shooting with this iconic camera and how its quirks fit in the dreamy and evocative portraits he make.

Ozan Mutlu Dursun aka @ozanmutludursun

Name: Ozan Mutlu Dursun
LomoHome: @ozanmutludursun
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Weapon of Choice: Kiev 60

Tell us more about yourself and what you do.

I’m Ozan, a film photographer and visual artist based in Istanbul, Turkey. I first encountered photography when I was a young boy. After spending some time with digital cameras, I felt like learning the fundamentals of photography first. So I started shooting film and instantly fell in love with it. I’ve been exclusively shooting film for six years now and I never look back.

Why is the Kiev 60 your Weapon of Choice?

First of all, I really adore USSR made cameras. From the common Zenits to weird and eye-catching Horizons and Sputnik cameras—I love them all. They convey the idea of technology, innovation, and future in their designs like anything else in Soviet Era.

Among all other monsters I own, I chose the Kiev 60 partly because of its story. While being a copy of Pentacon Six, it is a really good camera. It has a good stock lens (Volna-3, 80mm F 2.8) which produces a swirly bokeh, since it’s a Soviet Era Russian lens, that everyone loves. It is hefty, clunky and old-fashioned. After you pushed the shutter, the sound it makes really feels like there’s a Mosin-Nagant in your hands. And you have to set three things to get an exposure reading.

You need to get to know it and learn its ways to be able to operate it perfectly. It’s meant to be used in a studio environment though I pretty much used it everywhere but a studio. [Laughs] That’s why I specifically like this camera. It has tiny details and history in it that a lot of cameras don’t have.

Ozan Mutlu Dursun’s favorite photographs taken with his Weapon of Choice, Kiev 60

Any memorable experiences you’ve had while using this Kiev 60?

Pretty much all experiences I had with this camera is memorable since it makes it even harder to get a shot because of its intricacy and weight. I have to spend like five minutes to adjust my composition and frame, even then, my hands are shaking thanks to its weight. I like wide-open apertures and the lens it has produces a really shallow depth of field, so focusing is another problem.

Although these things seem like bad features, I really enjoy having these issues because it challenges and pushes me to be more creative. It uses roll films and shoots 6×6 negatives (12 frames) which makes it a even harder challenge to justify a frame. If you’re patient enough, it rewards you beautifully. Though you definitely get some muscle pain for a while after shooting with it. [Laughs]

Credits: ozanmutludursun

Would you recommend this to other Lomographers? If yes, to whom do you have in mind?

I would totally recommend this camera! Definitely worth a look if you’re curious about medium format photography and want a good camera. If you want to learn it the hard way and want the “medium format look,” this camera is the way to go.

When using this, what are you favorite subjects to photograph and why?

Models. Since I’m interested in the field of fashion and portraiture, my subjects are pretty much always female models. It is a beast when it comes to portraits, thanks to high-detailed structure of medium format film and the camera’s beautiful lens. I’ve always been into shooting portraits and meeting new people so this camera helps with both of them! A lot of people get amazed after seeing this camera because of its size and the way it works compare to modern cameras.

Credits: ozanmutludursun

Any tips or tricks with using your Weapon of Choice?

Never give up. Yes, it is hard to use this camera outdoors, especially since when its hand held without a strap. But trust me, you wouldn’t want to carry this thing on your neck.

Be super patient. Try to get the best focus on your subject. Make sure you dial in the correct numbers for the best exposure and try not to overthink too much like I do. It gives you more pain in the arm and shoulder territory later on though!


What’s your most favorite camera, film, or accessory? If you are proud of your Weapon of Choice, drop a line at lhotd@lomography.com with the subject Weapon of Choice and share your story with the rest of the community!

2016-10-15 #gear #kiev-60 #weapon-of-choice

8 Comment

  1. nural
    nural ·

    nice weapon of choice @ozanmutludursun :)

  2. ozanmutludursun
    ozanmutludursun ·

    @nural Thanks! <3

  3. aliebri
    aliebri ·

    Loved it! well done! @ozanmutludursun

  4. icequeenubia
    icequeenubia ·

    @ozanmutludursun Thank you for this interview! Lovely, lovely photos.

  5. ozanmutludursun
    ozanmutludursun ·

    @aliebri Thanks a lot!

  6. ozanmutludursun
    ozanmutludursun ·

    @icequeenubia My pleasure, I thank you for giving me the opportunity! <3

  7. pan_dre
    pan_dre ·

    Beautiful photos @ozanmutludursun and great camera choice!

  8. neufotomacher
    neufotomacher ·

    I've only used my friend's Kiev 60. She has decided to keep it in storage, though I offer to buy it off her.

他の記事を読む