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Mir-20  20 mm  f/ 3.5 Lens

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Mir-20  20 mm  f/ 3.5 lens

Mir-20  20 mm  f/ 3.5 lens

Mir-20  20 mm  f/ 3.5 lens

Mir-20  20 mm  f/ 3.5 lens

Mir-20  20 mm  f/ 3.5 lens

Optical design

Mir-20  20 mm  f/ 3.5 optical design

Mir-20  20 mm  f/ 3.5 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 (51738)

Average price: $103

Specifications:

Focal lengthMax. apertureMin. apertureBladesMin. Focus (m.)Filter Ø (mm.)Weight (gr/oz)Length (mm/in)
20mmf/3.5f/1660.1877470/16,692/3,6

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:
Posted by: Sergei Borodin   Date of publication: 29.09.2010



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


City
Autor: Felipe Saldanha
4.33 1 4123

McDo Bird - Mir-20 20 mm f/ 3.5
Autor: EricBelanger
4.25 0 4585

City
Autor: Felipe Saldanha
4 0 3927

City
Autor: Felipe Saldanha
4 0 2463

Mechanical quality4.0812
Optical quality4.3312
Usability3.6712
Pricing / Value4.4613
Bokeh4.0812
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 !!!







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.