KIEV 16mm SUBMINIATURES
The Soviets liked the design of the original Minolta 16mm camera so much that the original Vega (AKA, Bera) camera was a near-exact copy. And they copied the original cassette as well -- in fact, it is interchangeable with the Minolta cassette. But over time, the Kiev engineers modified just about everything: the camera, the features, the format and the cassette, as well. The Vega 2 was designed to allow for 30 pictures on a roll instead of the original 20 -- the film counter was changed as well. Let's call this second-generation of cassettes the "Vega 2" cassette. To accommodate the extra film, the inside of the cassette was modified. Although it looks just like the Minolta cassette, the diameter of the take-up spool is slightly different. The Vega 2 cassette will only work in Vega 2 or later Kiev cameras. This cassette will not work in the original Vega camera, nor will they fit in any Konan or Minolta cameras. The original Kiev Vega cassette will work in any Minolta cassette camera and in any later Kiev camera. The Minolta cassettes will work in any Kiev models and any Minolta cameras. Talk about confusing! For more information about these cassettes see the MINOLTA, KIEV, FR, YASHICA, VEGA 16mm CASSETTES page.
(1960) -- 25mm (f3.5-11); 1/30-1/200. The Soviets liked the Minolta 16 I design so much they copied it almost to the letter. Most of the parts are actually interchangeable. The name Vega looks like "Bera" on the camera and "Besa" on the camera manual. Actually, there were a few minor differences, such as shutter speeds. With the Minolta the speeds are marked 1/25, 1/50, and 1/200. On the Vega they are marked 1/30, 1/60 and 1/200. In fact, they are probably all the same speeds. Kiev even used an exact copy of the Minolta cassette as well, so that the Minolta cassettes can be used in this camera, and the Kiev Vega cassettes designed for this camera will work in the Minoltas. Kiev made accessories, such as filters -- and Minolta accessories for their Model I, can also be used, such as the filters and the flash holder/tripod mount.
(1961) -- This is a ever-so-slightly modified model of the original with a slightly wider-angled lens -- 23mm (The Minolta 16 switched from a 25mm lens to a 22mm lens in the Minolta 16 II). All other features remained the same. On both the Model A and Model B, the outer casings vary in appearance. Some are smooth, while others have various "ribs". On some, "Kiev" and "Vega"will appear on the front, or on the top, and on some the letters are in Cyrillic, on others in Roman characters.
(1962) -- 23mm (f3.5-11); 1/30-1/60-1/200. The Ruskies just couldn't resist making some improvements to the original Minolta design. But unlike Minolta which switched to the Minolta 16 II, the Soviets improved on the model I. The big change was the addition of a focusing lens. This was the first focusing lens on a camera using the Minolta cassette -- a long overdue feature. The Soviets added a tiny focusing dial right next to the shutter release -- focusing from infinity to 1.5 feet. Too bad Minolta never added this feature. In addition, an exposure calculator was added to the top of the camera. Too bad Minolta never added this feature, either. True, the exposure dial only runs from GOST 16 to 130 (ISO 18 to 140) but it's still a big help. They also added a corrugated cover to the camera instead of the plain slippery metal. It not only improves the boxy appearance of the camera, but it makes the camera easier and more comfortable to hold. The camera was typically sold in a kit which included the camera, good-quality vinyl case, wrist strap, UV, yellow and orange filters, owner's manual (in Russian), film cassette (with coffin), half of a developing reel (to work with a 35mm Russian developing reel), and an enlarger mask to hold the film in a 35mm film enlarger carrier. No wonder there are so many Vega 2 fans! But Kiev did not stop with improvements to the camera. They improved the original film cassette as well. This is the first model that used the new, modified "Vega 2" cassette. The Vega 2 camera was designed to allow for 30 pictures on a roll instead of the original 20 -- the film counter was changed as well. To accommodate the extra film, the inside of the cassette was modified. This cassette will not work in the original Vega camera, nor will they fit in any Konan or Minolta cameras. In addition, they made the cassette tops snap-on instead of tape-on and added a clip to the take-up spool, so no tape is needed there, either.
(1963-1964) -- It's the same camera as the Model A (above), except on the wrist-strap end of the camera.
The original end was replaced in this model with a black, protruding end. This makes the camera a few
millimeters longer and provides a little protection against accidentally changing the shutter speed and aperture
settings. But then it makes it a little more difficult to intentionally change the shutter speed and aperture
settings. Most Vega 2 cameras are of this model -- which also appeared with a smooth cover, and differently
styled name!
(1973?) A prototype of the Kiev 30 (below), it is marked Bera 3. It looks like the only thing that changed was dropping the Bera (Vega) name, and moving to the Kiev/Kueb label. Can you imaging the fights that must have occurred over this?
(1974-1983) -- 23mm (f3.5-11); 1/30-1/60-1/200. The biggest change in this model was the film format. The format was changed from 10x14mm to 13x17mm by switching to unperforated film. And because the focal length of the lens remained the same on a larger piece of film, the resulting image has a slightly wider perspective. Perforated film can be used, of course, but the image with be cut off on one edge with single perf film, and BOTH sides with double perf film. Another change in the camera was that the exposure calculator was moved from the top of the camera to the back. In addition, the camera exterior is black instead of aluminum gray -- much more appropriate for a "spy camera", for sure. Approximately one million of these cameras were manufactured and, as a result, they are fairly easy to obtain. It is probably the most popular submini camera model (in terms of production) ever made! Only available in black.
(1978) -- 23mm (f3.5-11); 1/30-1/60-1/200. 13x17mm format. If this sounds like a Kiev 30, there's a reason -- it is. It is a Kiev 30 concealed inside a package of "John Player cigarettes". Supposedly, these cameras were designed by the KGB to spy on the United Kingdom. And it is a very clever design. The top of the cigarette pack is open and the film is advanced by pushing and pulling on specific butts. In addition, there is empty space for a couple of real coffin nails -- just in case someone gets suspicious. The aperture and shutter speed are set in the normal way with two dials on the bottom of the pack. The lens exposes out the side of the pack. Understandably these have a lot of collector appeal, so prices are high. For those of you on a budget, it's a LOT cheaper to buy a Kiev 30 -- or any other Kiev submini -- insert it inside an empty pack of Marlboros yourself, make yourself a martini (shaken, not stirred), and play James Bond yourself.
(1987-1989) -- 23mm (f3.5-11); 1/30-1/60-1/200. 13x17mm format. It's a simpler version of the Kiev 30, without the exposure calculator and no contact for flash use. Fortunately, the lens can be focused from infinity to 0.5 meters, with marks at 2 meters and 1 meter.
(1990-?) -- It has the same, focusing, 23mm (f3.5-11) lens and film format as the 30/30M -- 13x17mm. The only "improvement" is in shutter speeds -- there are four (instead of the previous three): 1/30-1/60-1/125-1/250. Otherwise, it's a 30M with a plastic exterior -- instead of metal -- but still very similar to the original Minolta I. It was typically sold in a kit -- with user manual, cassettes, case, wrist strap, developing tools and a negative mask for the enlarger. Filters cannot be used on this camera. Three colors were available -- black, or different shades of red or green. Although some suggest that some were made in white or gray plastic, there is no evidence of this. Most typically marked "Kueb" (Russian) on the front and on the box.
At some point (and this may have been a gradual change over time), a new model emerged -- although it's the same as the original 303, except for the coloring on different parts. The shutter release button is the important indicator. If it's gray aluminum, then it's a Model A. If it's reddish plastic then it's a Model B. There were other coloring differences as well, such as the color of the film cassette door/flap -- aluminum gray or black. Most typically marked "Kiev" (English) on the front, some models show "303" in the viewfinder when the camera is closed. Rather than try to explain all of the different Kueb/Kiev 303 variations, click HERE to view a visual spreadsheet. Collect them all!!!
(early 1990's) -- 23mm (f3.5-11); 1/30-1/250. 13x17mm format. Same idea as the many earlier cameras hidden in a book -- to take clandestine photographs. It's a stripped-down and modified Kiev 303 for the KGB. It's stripped down in the sense that the outer case is removed, and the body is placed in a small, fancy, gilded, leather notebook. A gold pen is attached to the side of the notebook, and also attached to the camera's sliding plate. The pen is casually slid up & down to advance the film, and cock the shutter, and a picture is taken simply by pressing the shutter release through the real note-paper inside. Focusing, shutter speed and aperture adjustment require uncovering the camera body, so forethought is essential. Highly unusual.
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