Optical Review Blog No. 61 – Auto Miranda 1:2.8 f=35mm

If there is one focal length that is useful in almost every camera system, I have found it to be 35mm; it offers something close to what we see as humans, though slightly narrower. The biggest problem is that some lenses are ridiculously expensive. And then there’s the thing, the Miranda 35mm f/2.8 is a lens that came to me at a wonderfully low price, the cost of shipping from the US, thanks to the amazing Mike Eckman, after he took possession of a massive collection of Miranda gear. And let’s say, this lens is the perfect match for the Sensorex with a waist-level finder as a general carry-around lens, more so than the ultra-wide 25mm or the standard 50mm. And it has performance to match.

Lens Specifications
Make: Miranda Camera K.K.
Model: Auto Miranda 1:2.8 f=35mm
Focal Length: 35mm
Focal Range: ∞ – 0.3m
Aperture: f/2.8 – f/16, 6 Blades
Structure: 6 Elements in 5 Groups

Build Quality
Like every other Miranda lens, the 35mm f/2.8 is solid. Great build quality, all-metal construction, and a beautiful, low-profile optic that fits well on the massive Sensorex body without seeming too small. That said, the lens itself is still easy to use, with a nice scalloped grip for the focusing helical, which is still smooth, and you can move quickly from infinity to 30 centimetres. That said, the aperture ring still lacks a good click for each stop, but that’s a common problem I have with all Miranda lenses. But honestly, it’s only a minor concern because the lens itself is so well-made that it doesn’t make much of a difference overall.

Image Quality
Like other Miranda lenses the image quality on the 35/2.8 is superb. In fact, I would rate this one pretty high in regards to optical quality and image quality. Now in my case I did mess up a bit with the test chart, my focusing was a bit off and I think I jostled the camera a little bit when taking the shot. There is a bit of distortion when focusing in close, which doesn’t surprise me but it is not too bad and can be easily fixed in post-processing. Where the lens shines is that it is sharp from wide open to fully stopped down. When shooting wide-open there is no vignetting and only a slight amount of fall-off on your corners. Once you’ve stopped down to f/4 that fall-off disappears. And then it remains sharp across the range and even stopped down there’s no real refraction. The out-of-focusing rendering is good, it’s clean and smooth but no interesting aspects of it. Making it a great lens to shoot wide-open when you want good subject separation without the rendering being a distraction. The lens does have a tendency to flare with off-axis light, so a simple lens hood is a good match, you can easily get a rubber hood or use something from a similar lens from another system for a metal screw-in hood. Just don’t get too crazy with the addition of a hood or you might introduce vignetting as the edges will creep into the field of view.

Applications
As I mentioned in the introduction, a 35mm is an excellent general-purpose everyday lens. And the Miranda 35/2.8 is no different; it’s the perfect mix, it is neither too narrow nor too wide. Given you a near match to what we see, with only a bit of our peripheral vision cut off. This is a great lens for travel, documentary, and some editorial work. If you’re one to get in close for street photography, the 35mm is a great choice, and its fast f/2.8 aperture lets you be at the right distance to achieve good subject separation from the background. And you can even get a bit stealthy when pairing it with a waist-level finder. While it might be a bit narrow for architectural work, it works well if you have enough space; it also does a good job with landscapes when you want a narrower field of view.

The Low Down
Like many Miranda lenses, these can be difficult to find on the used market. Unlike the more common 50mm f/1.8(9), the 35mm f/2.8 can be tricky to source. I was lucky that Mike got a pile of Miranda gear and had one. If you do find ones on the used market, they are priced between 80 and 100 dollars, which is a fair price for the optics. If you are running a Miranda system, then I highly recommend this excellent lens. I also recommend getting a waist-level finder, as it pairs nicely with this focal length. It’s a great addition to your Miranda system if you can find it.

Further Reading
Don’t just take my view on the Miranda 35/2.8, check out these other reviews.
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