Mir-1 2.8/37 Grand Prix Brussels

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

I finally got this lens (produced in 1969, still in alu barrel) and it lets me enchanted. Besides giving a gentle corners faloff w/o, it slightly mutes colours rendering the image not even in a vintage style but in a kind of slight noir aesthetics. Its colour scheme recalls me by far the unusual ISCO triplet rendering I reported here.

Here are some samples from Mir-1 taken at f2.8 to f5.6, with the contrasts corrected

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 3225 Location: The Netherlands

The images certainly look very pleasing!

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2537

Looks very contrasty in an old fashioned way

mr_tibbs2004 · Joined: 23 Jul 2021 Posts: 141 Location: United States

This lens is on my wish list. Thank you for the images! What is the minimum focus distance of the lens?

Oldhand · Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2022 6:55 am Post subject:

Indigo82 · Joined: 30 Dec 2018 Posts: 61

I wanted this lens to be a wide angle companion to my Helioses, but after trying it I found out that its ergonomics are worse than Helios 44-2. It is smaller, focusing ring is smaller too and it was wobbling on original Pentax m42 adapter, same as 44-2. Too fiddly and uninspiring. Yes, minimum focusing distance is 0.7m in case there isn't any modification done to the lens. That is simply too much. At some mid distances it has certain glow around the subjects. After some shooting, I found Flektogon 35mm f2.4 to be a better lens in all parameters. Even Auto Revuenon 35mm f2.8 was better than Mir 37mm. In fact it was surprisingly good, sharp and focused close to the subject.

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2537

In a pinch you can decrease the mfd of a m42 lens by screwing it out a bit. Most effective with wide angles of course. It won't do much for tele's.

Dejan · Joined: 05 Jan 2021 Posts: 152 Location: Belgrade, Serbia

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

Thank you, fellows, glad you like or wish this lens!

I confirm that the MFD of mine is 0.7m. It's flare prone without hood (and I learned that this is the condition should be mentioned as a real game changer). I haven't tried it with a hood yet.

Here is an example w/o (with contrast corrected)

And at f5.6

Looking at the flare spot, I presume my copy could benefit from internal cleaning, but I prefer not to open the lens without a real urge.

Agreed for a good central sharpness and "curved" corners. It may still work in complex landscapes even at f5.6 if you don't run for each pixel but need an impression.

I this shot taken at f5.6 both contrast and saturation are boosted

serkol · Joined: 26 Aug 2012 Posts: 926 Location: Belarus

serkol · Joined: 26 Aug 2012 Posts: 926 Location: Belarus

Oldhand · Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:11 pm Post subject:

Dejan · Joined: 05 Jan 2021 Posts: 152 Location: Belgrade, Serbia

I can confirm that it works really nicely with a close up lens (I've used it with a +4 achromatic lens and some other strengths), and it also works well with extensions (I didn't really see any noticeable difference in sharpness between Mir 1 and Flektogon 35mm F2.4 for close ups). I always add a lens hood, but even then sometimes extra shading with a hand helps a lot; since I can't use longer hoods with this 37mm FL (which is, again, same as Flektogon, it is 37mm lens with a rounded number for marketing purposes). A couple "extra" aperture blades compared to most similar lenses can't hurt for macro (the only thing I really dislike about MC Flektogon is having 6 straight aperture blades).

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3666 Location: Calgary

Oldhand · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2022 7:36 am Post subject:

Yes, the ergonomics of the lens take some getting used to.
The results can be quite pleasing
Tom

#1

Here is a crop from above
Click for larger view
#2

lumens pixel · Expire: 2021-06-25

Nice!

Is this on APSC or 24x36?

I had one and found it weak in the corners on EOS M. But center sharpness was very pleasing.

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

Good shots above.

I have this lens and it's one I used to use a lot, but has been a victim of other lenses in this range moving it down the queue. I remember the colours having a unique look, being of a colder WB or enhanced blues. Very atmospheric nonetheless.

Oldhand · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2022 8:35 pm Post subject:

Oldhand · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 6:04 am Post subject:

Some rainy day images with the Mir-1B Grand Prix Brussels
Tom

#1

#2

#3

#4

Indigo82 · Joined: 30 Dec 2018 Posts: 61

In hands of good photographer there are no bad lenses.

Happy Dog

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

lumens pixel · Expire: 2021-06-25

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

Some very fine close-up shots, Tom! You make clearly seen the advantage that close-up rings give with the old Mir-1.

As for my current state of mind, I really appreciate the lens rendering in BW, postprocessed in NIK.

#1

#2

#3

#4

Oldhand · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:46 am Post subject:

alex ph · Joined: 16 Mar 2013 Posts: 1674

Thank you, Tom! Friends