The Soviets liked the design of the original Minolta 16mm camera so much that the original Vega 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 accomodate 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! To top it all off, there are even bogus Minolta cassettes being sold.

Vega I (model a)

(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 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. Minolta accessories, for the Model I ,can also be used, such as the filters and the flash holder.

Vega I (model b)

(1961) -- This is a modified model with a slightly wider-angled lens -- 23mm. All other features remained the same.

(Källa: http://www.subclub.org/shop/kiev.htm)

Tillverkarens produktsida