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Mir-20 20 mm f/ 3.5 Lens

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Optical design

Format: 35mm SLR

Type: Prime lens

Focusing: Manual Focus (MF)

Lens mounts: M42, Nikon F (FX, DX), Pentax K

First year of production: 1973

Last year of production: 1996

Optical design: 9 elements in 8 groups

User reviews (3)

Photos (13)

Tests (0)

Owners (21)

Views (44114)

Average price: $103

Specifications:

Focal length	Max. aperture	Min. aperture	Blades	Min. Focus (m.)	Filter Ø (mm.)	Weight (gr/oz)	Length (mm/in)
20mm	f/3.5	f/16	6	0.18	77	470/16,6	92/3,6

Additional information:

The Mir-20 20 mm f/ 3.5(Russian: "Мир") (export version - the Mir-20) is an interchangeable superwide-angle fast lens with a single-layer coating. It also came in the variant with multi-coating (MC).

It is equipped with an automatic iris aperture, switchable in screw mount version.

It was manufactured by the KMZ in the following variants: the Mir-20M, the MC Mir-20M (m42 screw mount) and the MC Mir-20K (the Pentax K bayonet mount, small lot issued in1992). It was impossible to use front-mounting filters and attachments with these variants of the lens. The filter was installed in the rear part (the lens came with a set of three filters: UF-1x (ultraviolet), Zh-2x (yellow), O-2.8x (orange)).

The lenses were manufactured by the Arsenal Factory for some other cameras as well: the Mir-20-Automatic (for the Kiev camera) and the MC Mir-20N (for the Nikon F bayonet mount). It was possible to use front-mounting filters and attachments with these variants of the lens. Besides, the minimum aperture value of these lenses was f/16, and not f/22.

The optical scheme of the Mir-20 20 mm f/ 3.5 was based on the Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 20 mm f/2.8 (GDR). However, there were some changes made in the scheme.

The lens produces sharp image especially at the frame center from f/3.5 onwards, and it is very sharp from f/ 5.6. There is a considerable drop in resolution on the edges of the frame.

The Mir-20 20mm f/3.5 has virtually no geometrical distortion.

Color rendering is bright and saturated, slightly shifted towards warm colors.

The versions without MC do not hold back and side light well, whereas their counterparts with multi-coating (MC) do hold it well.

The characteristics of the Mir-20 20 mm f/ 3.5

Diagonal angle of view: 96°
Resolution: (0/10/20 mm) 1): 50/35/30 lpmm
Resolution according to the technical specifications (center/edge): 50/20 lpmm
Coefficient of transparency: the Mir-20М - 0.75; the MC Mir-20М - 0.90
Color contribution index (CCI): the Mir-20М - 11-0-2; The MC Mir-20М - 11-0-0
Geometric vignetting: 40%
Length with caps: the Mir-20М - 68 mm.: the MC Mir-20М - 63 mm.
Maximum barrel diameter: the Mir-20М - 92 mm.; the MC Mir-20М - 78 mm
Weight: the Mir-20М - 470 g; the MC Mir-20М – 390 g; the MC Mir-20K– 490 g.

The Mir-20 lens is perfectly fit for shooting landscapes, interiors, architecture, as well as for genre and reportage photography. It is easily mounted on modern DSRL cameras. When set at hyperfocal range, you can shoot very quickly without autofocus.

In the secondary market the lens is not uncommon and rather cheap. The preference should be given to MC versions of the lens, which were exported, or marked with the quality sign.

Links to online resources:

PDF Files:

Promotional brochure (views: 482)
Promotional Brochure v.2 (views: 412)

Posted by: Sergei Borodin Date of publication: 29.09.2010

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Photos taken with this lens Mir-20 20 mm f/ 3.5:

All photos

City
Autor: Felipe Saldanha

4.33

3288

McDo Bird - Mir-20 20 mm f/ 3.5
Autor: EricBelanger

4.25

3786

City
Autor: Felipe Saldanha

3229

City
Autor: Felipe Saldanha

1809

Mechanical quality	4.08	12
Optical quality	4.33	12
Usability	3.67	12
Pricing / Value	4.46	13
Bokeh	4.08	12
Overall lens rating	4.12

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Owner reviews: Mir-20 20 mm f/ 3.5

Felipe Saldanha 14.07.2016 18:19:48

Period of use: 9 months

Strengths:

A very strong lens, made all of heavy metal and worked well

even taking pictures at f / 3.5 center is very sharp photos even at infinity.

beautiful otica with own style

Weaknesses:

A lens that has a bulged otica has a lot of side light input , resolving with a hood adapted to it.

and photos taken at f / 3.5 is sharp center , but from the center 15mm colors begin to undock .

Comments:

I like this lens and what it gives me ,

with wonderful compositions due to its minimum focus is 15 cm from the sensor and only 4 lens front cm

I highly recommend it !!!

Comments (0) :: view files on user review

Bakin 1.1.2000 00:00:01

Period of use: 5 months

Strengths:

Excellent resolution
Convenient for the genre and landscape focal length
It is well corrected distortions and aberrations
Straightens the geometry (just like Flektogon 20 f / 4) - it's great for architectural and interior photography
Weaknesses:
- You can not use filters.
- Small color distortion
  Comments:
  A good lens! When used on the hyperfocal distance you can forget about the focusing, including the modern camera and just shoot :) Autofocus is not needed here.
  Comments (1)

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Mir-20 20 mm f/ 3.5 Lens

Owner reviews: Mir-20 20 mm f/ 3.5