Dioptrick
TalkEmount All-Pro
My Russian MIR has arrived, all the way from Latvia! 
I first became aware of this lens because of fotomachi's wonderful collection of Russian lenses. I was looking for another Russian optic to study but wanted a wider focal length (I have more than enough 50mm's
).
What intrigued me about this lens was the "Grand Prix Brussels 1958" markings. I had tried to source one earlier but they seem to cost more than the MIR-1 lenses without it. After more research, I have discovered that these markings do not necessarily mean they were made in 1958. It is just an award badge inscribed on the lens which was continued on consecutive production batches well into the late 60s possibly early 70s. The MIR-1 without the markings are exactly the same lens. The silver versions are more rare apparently and most mint examples I've seen are later releases commonly in black with M42 screw mounts. Seeing that Russia is so far away from where I live, I decided that if I was going to collect a MIR it might as well be one with the GrandPrix markings, but I wasn't prepared to pay extra especially if the cheaper unmarked versions are essentially the same lens. I went cold on the MIR and put my searching on hold.
While I was scrounging around for an Industar-69 28mm wide-angle pancake, I came across this particular MIR-1. I immediately recongnized the GrandPrix markings but I have never seen one inscribed in Russian (I'm assuming it's Russian). The condition also looks much older with an unusual M39 mount (so hopefully an earlier copy) but the main reason I got it is because of the unusual markings. Below is a photo of the lens after some patient cleaning time.
(Fotomachi, can you read this writing? I am curious so I'm hoping someone can help me with the translation. I am also curious why there is an "r." after 1958)
I first became aware of this lens because of fotomachi's wonderful collection of Russian lenses. I was looking for another Russian optic to study but wanted a wider focal length (I have more than enough 50mm's
What intrigued me about this lens was the "Grand Prix Brussels 1958" markings. I had tried to source one earlier but they seem to cost more than the MIR-1 lenses without it. After more research, I have discovered that these markings do not necessarily mean they were made in 1958. It is just an award badge inscribed on the lens which was continued on consecutive production batches well into the late 60s possibly early 70s. The MIR-1 without the markings are exactly the same lens. The silver versions are more rare apparently and most mint examples I've seen are later releases commonly in black with M42 screw mounts. Seeing that Russia is so far away from where I live, I decided that if I was going to collect a MIR it might as well be one with the GrandPrix markings, but I wasn't prepared to pay extra especially if the cheaper unmarked versions are essentially the same lens. I went cold on the MIR and put my searching on hold.
While I was scrounging around for an Industar-69 28mm wide-angle pancake, I came across this particular MIR-1. I immediately recongnized the GrandPrix markings but I have never seen one inscribed in Russian (I'm assuming it's Russian). The condition also looks much older with an unusual M39 mount (so hopefully an earlier copy) but the main reason I got it is because of the unusual markings. Below is a photo of the lens after some patient cleaning time.
NEX-5N
---
55mm
f/5.6
1/200s
ISO 100
(Fotomachi, can you read this writing? I am curious so I'm hoping someone can help me with the translation. I am also curious why there is an "r." after 1958)