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Specification

Source of data

• Manufacturer's technical data.

Manufacturer description #1

The photographic lens "Мир-24М" is an eight-element anastigmat with coated optical surfaces, intended for "Зенит-ЕМ" type SLR cameras with a frame format of 24x36mm.

A large field of view and high speed allow the lens to be used for shooting indoors from short distances, group, architectural and sports photography, for technical and scientific photography, for various shootings without preliminary fine focusing.

The lens has a "jumping" aperture mechanism that automatically closes to the selected value when photographing and opens again after the camera shutter is released.

Light transmission: no less than 0.80.

Resolving power, lines/mm: in the center of the field: 40; at the edges of the field: 21.

Manufacturer description #2

"МС Мир-24М" is a high-speed wide-angle interchangeable lens for "Зенит" type SLR cameras.

The lens has an automated pressure diaphragm controlled by the camera mechanism. It can also be used with other SLR cameras with a frame format of 24x36 mm, a М42х1 thread mount, a working distance of 45.50 mm, with or without an automatic device controlling the pressure diaphragm.

The lens elements are multi-coated (МС) to more effectively reduce reflections and flare when shooting against backlight.

The lens is recommended for shooting landscapes, architecture, interiors on black and white and color film, even in low light.

From the editor

The lens was produced by the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant (USSR) from 1976 to 1986. Initially, the lens was single-coated, but became multi-coated in 1980.

In 1986, the magazine "Советское Фото" No. 9 published an article criticizing the lens. The main complaint was about the build quality and the alignment of the optical elements. After the article was published, the lens acquired a bad reputation, and many photography enthusiasts still consider it optically insolvent. However, if you manage to find a quality copy, the lens will capture even the smallest details of the subject, the color rendition will be pleasing to the eye, the bokeh will have a calm character, and both the foreground and background will be smoothly blurred. According to the data given in the above article, the resolving power of the lens is 53/27 lines per mm (center/edges) already wide open!

The only significant disadvantage of the lens is its uselessness when photographing against the light. Reflections of light rays from the optical elements and the diaphragm blades greatly spoil the frame. And this problem is not caused by poor multi-layer coating, but by the optical design with large inter-element distances. Therefore, the overall contrast of the image is low when shooting in normal conditions, but this can be easily corrected in photo editors.

The maximum diameter and length are indicated for the single-coated version of the lens. The multi-coated version has a maximum diameter of 65mm and a length of 61mm.

Other wide-angle prime lenses in the Zenit M42 system

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