C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile35mm SLR
Arsenal Kiev 201980
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- M42
- Years
- 1980–
- Shutter
- 1s – 1/1000s
- Meter
- center-weighted-TTL
The Kiev 20 is a 35mm SLR produced by Arsenal in Kyiv, Ukraine, introduced around 1980. It succeeds the Kiev 17 and retains the M42 screw mount with aperture-priority automatic exposure. The Kiev 20 incorporates an automatic aperture actuation mechanism that improved on the Kiev 17's implementation, ensuring more reliable aperture-priority operation with a wider range of compatible M42 lenses. The shutter is electronically controlled; there is no mechanical fallback and the camera is fully non-functional without batteries. Arsenal's variable quality control applies equally to the Kiev 20 - specimens differ in reliability and meter accuracy.
Reference
Find film for your Arsenal Kiev 20
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ISO 400
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Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
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Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
- **Electronic shutter dependency.** Test the shutter at every marked speed. Speeds in the 1/15s-1s range on electronic shutters are the most prone to drift.
- **Aperture-priority accuracy.** Test with a known M42 lens in aperture-priority at EV 8–14. Compare exposures against a handheld or incident meter.
- **Automatic diaphragm actuation.** Verify the aperture stops down correctly in shooting mode and springs back to full aperture in viewing mode. The actuating mechanism is a potential failure point.
- **Meter calibration.** TTL meters in Soviet cameras of this era use CdS or early SPD cells that age. Calibration against known exposures is essential before trusting the meter.
- **Light seals.** Replace original foam seals; they universally degrade.
- **Battery contacts.** Inspect for corrosion and ensure clean contact. The 2x AA configuration is practical.
- Service: General camera repair technicians; Arsenal-specific service expertise is rare outside Ukraine.
About this camera
Arsenal's refined M42 aperture-priority SLR - the Kiev 17's successor with improved automatic aperture control.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Arsenal Kiev 20 use?
- The Arsenal Kiev 20 shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Arsenal Kiev 20 take?
- The Arsenal Kiev 20 uses a 2x AA (1.5V) battery.
- What lens mount does the Arsenal Kiev 20 have?
- The Arsenal Kiev 20 uses the M42 mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Arsenal Kiev 20 offer?
- The Arsenal Kiev 20's shutter speeds range from 1s to 1/1000s.
- What light meter does the Arsenal Kiev 20 use?
- The Arsenal Kiev 20 meters with center-weighted-TTL.
