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About
Lens model: MIR-1V 37mm f2.8
Release date: 1954
At a glance: While some may find it difficult to master, this lens offers exquisite and unique vintage image quality
Our score: 7/10
The MIR-1V 37mm f2.8 Lens is a beautifully quirky soviet era lens with dreamy lens flare and quasi-magical bokeh that is not unlike the bokeh found on other legendary Russian lenses like the Helios, although, unlike the Helios, it’s 10 blades render a perfectly-rounded bokeh effect.
While it takes mastery to user properly, the MIR-1V yields superb results with the right technique. It’s pleasantly soft wide open, but starts to get sharp at f/4 and is tack sharp by f/8.
The 270° rotation on the focus ring makes this lens delightfully precise and allows you to nail the focus on subjects.
Technical specifications
| Focal Length (35mm format): | 37mm |
| Maximum Aperture: | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture: | f/16 |
| Format: | 35mm Film |
| Angle of View (35mm format): | 60° |
| Focusing Distance: | 0.70m to Inifinity |
| Elements/Groups: | 6/5 |
| Number of Blades: | 10 |
| Optical resolution: | 45 lines/mm center, 23 lines/mm corners |
| Light coefficient: | 0.78 |
| Autofocus: | No - Full Manual |
| Filter size: | 49mm |
| Manufacturer: | Vologda Optical and Mechanical Plant |
Our Take on the MIR-1V 37MM F2.8
| Image quality: | superb |
| Bokeh: | very good |
| Build quality: | flawless |
| Micro contrast: | very good |
| Ergonomics: | good |
| Center sharpness (wide open): | very good |
| Edge sharpness (wide open): | fair |
| Pros | Cons |
| + Beautiful vintage color rendering | - Soft at the edges wide open |
| + Built like a tank | - May be hard for some beginners to master |
| + Sharp at center wide open |
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