MIR-1B 37mm F2.8
This lens very popular wide/mid-range lens, same as Mir-20 was also closely based on Zeiss Flektogon equivalent. It’s a favourite lens of many thanks to its incredible flares, if that is your thing (see 00:45 & 01:23 for a few examples of those flares). This lens also has one big downside: the closest focusing distance of just 0.70m making it somewhat unusable for capturing proper close-ups. If you want to learn a bit more about this lens, make sure to check out my review.
Specs:
Min Focusing Distance: 0.7m
Angle of View (FF): 60°
Focus Throw: Approx. 270°
Aperture Blades: 8
Aperture Range: F2.8 – F16
Weight (with mods): 311g
Helios 44 58mm F2
All-time favourite vintage lens: small, cheap, far from perfect, but incredible in so many ways. There are many versions of this lens with the 44-2 model being the most common. All versions though were based on the amazing Zeiss’s Biotar 58mm, which explains why Helios 58mm is so well regarded. It’s always the first lens I recommend to anyone wishing to try out vintage lenses. It pretty much has it all including the beautiful dreamy flares, very unique swirly bokeh and a great sharpness (providing you get lucky with your copy). Minimum focusing distance is 0.50m, so gets you pretty nice close-ups with this lens, making it very popular for mid/close portrait shots. (see 0:41 & 00:49 for a few examples)
Specs:
Min Focusing Distance: 0.5m
Angle of View (FF): 40°
Focus Throw: Approx. 270°
Aperture Blades: 8 (13 blade version exist and IronGlass can install a 16 blade version)
Aperture Range: F2.8 – F16
Weight (with mods): 319g
Jupiter-9 85mm F2
This lens competes the very popular Soviet Trio (37mm 58mm 85mmm). This one based on Zeiss Sonnar equivalent and shares most of the characteristics with the other 2 lenses it’s often used with. One of its coolest features is the 15 blade aperture, which keeps that bokeh nice and round at any F-stop. Even though at 0.8m its minimum focusing distance is not outstanding, it’s great for really tight “bohehlicios” shots (see 01:41 & 01:43). The only reason I don’t use it more is that I love my Helios 44 so much!
Specs:
Min Focusing Distance: 0.8m
Angle of View (FF): 28°
Focus Throw: Approx. 250°
Aperture Blades: 15
Aperture Range: F2 – F16
Weight (with mods): 474g
Tair-11A 135mm F2.8
This is the tightest lens in my set. Same as with Mir-10A I’m not sure if this lens has any direct relation to Zeiss lenses, but it’s a very impressive telephoto lens nevertheless, especially the updated A version, which had improved sharpness and better close focusing distance than the original Tair-11. The focus throw of approx. 300° is also particularly helpful with this lens helping you dial it in perfectly in a smooth and precise way. If you thought 15 aperture blades on Jupiter-9 was impressive, how about 20 on this beast? It’s safe to say, that bokeh is absolutely perfect. The “anamorfake” bokeh mod is also the most effective on this lens! (see 01:11, 01:49, 01:57).
Specs:
Min Focusing Distance: 1.2m
Angle of View (FF): 18°
Focus Throw: Approx. 300°
Aperture Blades: 20
Aperture Range: F2.8 – F22
Weight (with mods): 724g