MIR-1 37mm f2.8 Grand Prix Brussles 1958 Sample Footage

May 9

The MIR-1 37mm f/2.8 Grand Prix Brussels lens, first produced in the mid-1950s and continued until 1990, is renowned for its exceptional image quality and 10-blade aperture that produces a smooth bokeh when used at its widest aperture. Its M42 mount makes it easily compatible with modern mirrorless cameras. The lens was awarded the lens design prize at the Brussels Fair in Belgium in 1958, which explains the name on the lens barrel. In this video, we will examine some cinematic sample footage captured with this lens.

Upon reviewing the sample footage captured with the MIR-1 lens, I must admit that I am extremely pleased with the results. The lens possesses a wide and sharp image center, coupled with vintage lens characteristics. Notably, the lens, with its 70-year-old coatings, produces striking and beautiful lens flares, while exhibiting a loss of contrast when shooting towards a bright light source. This flaw, however, is something that I was thrilled to utilize while shooting with the lens. When shooting with the sun positioned behind the camera, the lens generates images with excellent contrast and color rendition.

Another impressive feature of this lens is its fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, combined with a 10-blade iris. This wide aperture enables the lens to perform admirably in low-light settings, and the 10-blade iris results in a soft, creamy out-of-focus background.

I’ll be making more test videos with this lens and eventually a full review videos once I feel I know enough about the behavior of this lens to give an informed review. Subscribe to the YouTube channel so you don’t miss it.

👍 Thanks to: Click Click Comrade for this info. "Your lens was made in 1972, as denoted by the first two digits of the serial number. The optics were calculated in 1955, which may be what you were referring to. Also, the lens itself didn't win the Grand Prix prize in 1958, the entire Soviet presentation won the Grand Prix prize. Neat fact, the Tair 11 was also included in the exhibition and also received recognition. Both lenses designed by the same guy. Cheers! "