{
  "id": 7517961,
  "title": "A subminiature camera from the Cold War era that uses 16mm film",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/a-subminiature-camera-from-the-cold-war-era-that-uses-16mm-film",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T09:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Amateur Photographer",
    "slug": "amateur-photographer",
    "url": "https://amateurphotographer.com/technique/film-photography/classic-cameras/a-subminiature-camera-from-the-cold-war-era-that-uses-16mm-film/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Kiev 30, a subminiature camera from the Cold War era, uses 16mm film. Manufactured in Kiev at the Arsenal factory, it was first released in 1960 and remained in production until 1989. Though not specifically designed for espionage, the camera gained a reputation for being camouflaged in various disguises. In 2018, a Kiev disguised as a cigarette box fetched £29,000 at auction in the UK. The camera measures 84mm wide when at rest and 108mm in use, with a body that slides out to advance the film and reveal the lens. Two knurled wheels control shutter speed and aperture, while a third adjusts focus. A simple exposure calculator is located on the back, next to the viewfinder. The shutter is quiet and a red dot on the lens window indicates when the shot has been taken. The camera was recently reloaded with 127 rollfilm by reloading 120 film onto a 127 spool, creating an ideal width of 14mm for use in 16mm cameras.",
  "summary": "The Kiev 30 is sometimes described as a spy camera, and while it is small enough to fit the bill, it wasn't marketed as such. The post A subminiature camera from the Cold War era that uses 16mm film appeared first on Amateur Photographer .",
  "key_points": [
    "Kiev 30 camera uses 16mm film",
    "Manufactured in Kiev from 1960 to 1989",
    "Disguised as cigarette box sold for £29,000"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}