There were many interesting cameras made in the Soviet Union throughout the 1960s, one of my favourites is the Kiev John Player Special. This camera cleverly masquerades as a pack of cigarettes. Originally marketed as a "KGB" spy camera, it is disguised as a pack of John Player cigarettes. The camera is built entirely from metal, making it highly durable. The camera itself is sourced from a Kiev 30 model. To cock the shutter, one of the cigarettes at the top of the camera can be pulled out, and there is a shutter button on top of the packet for operation.
The Origins and Development of the Kiev John Player Special
The Kiev John Player Special camera was manufactured at the Arsenal factory in Kiev, Ukraine, which was a part of the Soviet Union. The factory had been producing cameras since the end of World War II, initially focusing on rangefinders before expanding into SLRs and medium format cameras. In the 1960s, Arsenal recognized the potential of the subminiature camera market and decided to venture into it. Their journey into miniature cameras began in 1960 with the Vega (model a), which closely resembled the Minolta 16. This initial attempt was quickly followed by updated models, including the Kiev 30.
The Birth of the Kiev 30
In 1974, Arsenal introduced the Kiev 30, marking a significant departure from previous designs. This new model abandoned the Minolta-compatible film format in favour of unperforated film, a first for the manufacturer. The Kiev 30 proved immensely popular, with over one million units produced in its black finish between 1974 and 1983.
The John Player Special Variant
It was during this period, specifically in 1978, that the infamous John Player Special variant made its debut. This model ingeniously concealed the Kiev 30 camera within a replica cigarette packet, elevating the concept of covert photography to new heights.
The Kiev John Player Special represents a masterclass in covert design, seamlessly blending form and function to create a truly discreet photographic tool.
Specifications:
· Dimensions: 102 x 55 x 28.5 mm (without protruding fake cigarettes)
· Weight: Approximately 230 grams
· Exterior: Black metal enclosure with authentic-looking JPS branding
· Cigarette Ends: Three visible 'filter tips', two fixed and one movable. Some models have removable cigarettes to insert real cigarettes in it’s place (this particular model has only fixed).
· Camera Base: Modified Kiev 30
· Lens: Industar-M 23mm f/3.5
· Film Type: 16mm unperforated
· Frame Size: 17 x 13 mm
· Exposures per Roll: 25
· Focusing Range: 50 cm to infinity
· Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/11
· Shutter Speeds: 1/30, 1/60, 1/200 second
Operational Mechanics
The genius of the design lies in its operational simplicity:
1. The longest 'cigarette' serves as both a lens cover and film advance mechanism
2. Pulling this cigarette out reveals the lens and advances the film
3. A small button on top acts as the shutter release
4. Pushing the cigarette back in covers the lens once more
Internal Components
Housed within the cigarette pack exterior is a modified Kiev 30 camera:
· Lens: Industar-M 23mm f/3.5
· Film: 16mm unperforated
· Frame Size: 17 x 13 mm
· Capacity: 25 exposures per cartridge
Variations and Rarity
The Kiev John Player Special cameras exhibit a surprising degree of variation, making them particularly intriguing to collectors. Known variations include:
· Printing: Gold or silver lettering on the exterior
· Logo Design: Different versions of the JPS branding
· Typography: Varied typefaces and layouts
· Cigarette Design: Different styles of fake cigarettes
· Capacity: Some models include space for one or two real cigarettes
· Control Access: Camera controls may be covered or exposed
· Construction: Metal or plastic outer casing
· Finish: Some examples feature partially black-painted camera bodies
This particular variation that we have in currently appears to be one of the rarer typographies from what I can find online.
KGB Connection?
Initially, it was widely believed that these cameras were specifically manufactured for use by the KGB, the Soviet Union's formidable intelligence agency. This association with high-level espionage naturally increased the camera's allure and mystique. However, in more recent years there has been doubt on the direct KGB connection. It now appears more likely that many of these cameras were post-Cold War productions, probably created to capitalise on Western fascination with Soviet-era spy gear.
Whether viewed as a serious tool of espionage or a clever novelty capitalising on Cold War fascination, the Kiev John Player Special occupies a unique niche in the world of camera collecting, appealing to enthusiasts of vintage photography, Cold War memorabilia, and espionage history alike.
