How WIDE is TOO Wide? - The Soviet MIR 20MM F/3.5 MC

#MIR#VintageLens#20mm
In this video I take a look at a Soviet Vintage Wide Angle Lens - The Mir 20m 20MM F/3.5 MC. Also Ironglass & Vintage Lens For Video HELIOS GIVEAWAY WINNER announced.
Find the MIR Here : ebay.us/MjdHvY
Find the SMC Takumar 20mm F/4.5 Here: ebay.us/x3ocDN
Find the Carl Zeiss Jena Flektigon Here: ebay.us/DNCtf4
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BEST VINTAGE LENS ADAPTERS
• FOTODIOX M42 - E (Sony): amzn.to/2GmyREM
• FOTODIOX PRO M42-EOS (Canon): amzn.to/2I1yUTI
• FOTODIOX PRO M42 - F (Nikon): amzn.to/2DRT7IT
• FOTODIOX PRO M42-Micro 4/3: amzn.to/2pCuk7H
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Sony A7SII: geni.us/M42MFT
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ROV PRO Everyday Slider: geni.us/ROVPRO
Aperture 120DII: geni.us/Aputure120DII
Aperture Lightdome II: geni.us/LiteDome2
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Litra Pro: geni.us/LitraP
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0:00 - Introduction
0:19 - FRUSTRATING Unboxing Experience
1:18 - MIR Lens Talk
2:06 - Widest Soviet Rectilinear Lens
2:59 - STIFF Focus THROW!!!! AHHHH
3:15 - CLOSE Minimum Focus is GOLD
3:32 - Protruding ELEMENT
3:49 - Color & Contrast
4:14 - Corner to Corner Sharpness
4:48 - SMC Takumar 20mm F/4.5 vs Mir 20 F/3.5
6:22 - NOT an Easy Lens to use
7:07 - Final Thoughts Photo/Video Lens
7:43 - Future Plans for the Lens
8:52 - Ironglass & VLFV REHOUSED GIVEAWAY WINNER

Пікірлер: 204

  • @MarkHoltze
    @MarkHoltze3 жыл бұрын

    I'll need therapy after that unboxing....

  • @churchaudiolife

    @churchaudiolife

    3 жыл бұрын

    I like you punching the saran wrap!

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    That was sort of like therapy. Physical therapy 😂

  • @Barbiroujameleddine
    @Barbiroujameleddine3 жыл бұрын

    Always with something new for a vintage lens experience ....Very good job Mark Holtze

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks mate! Always!

  • @ohjajohh
    @ohjajohh3 жыл бұрын

    I love how much work you put in your videos! As always a pleasure to watch

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    It’s a love affair I think with these relics 😂 thanks mate!

  • @vaskoobscura_
    @vaskoobscura_2 жыл бұрын

    You got a great deal on that lens. I was looking on Ebay today and they're ranging between the $400 and $700 mark now. Vintage lenses are shooting up in price everywhere.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    2 жыл бұрын

    I couldn’t find any the day after for what I paid. Haven’t looked in awhile; but ya it’s nuts

  • @CoutoCameraCompany
    @CoutoCameraCompany3 жыл бұрын

    Way to go Andrew!! Great video as always Mark.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks mate! Yes ANDREW lucked out on that one, so many names.

  • @Stahlengelmusic
    @Stahlengelmusic3 жыл бұрын

    Great review. Love your vintage lens series.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks mate, I'm enjoying doing them that's for sure!

  • @alanbesedin
    @alanbesedin3 жыл бұрын

    Love it! One of my favorite Soviet lenses! Congratulations to Andrew also, hope he will enjoy this lens as much as me and you do :)

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    How was the focus on the copies you've used? I know it's hit and miss with some of these.

  • @DoFurther
    @DoFurther3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, comrade, for this overview.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Comrade, it was my pleasure

  • @graycolour
    @graycolour3 жыл бұрын

    Can’t wait to see it re-housed!

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    me either lol! :)

  • @MrBrentknoll
    @MrBrentknoll Жыл бұрын

    Haha. Excellent sir! Great video as always. Keep them coming.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    Жыл бұрын

  • @ryanbeer5262
    @ryanbeer52623 жыл бұрын

    Makes me appreciate those tiny Nikkor 20 3.5s even more.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Form factor is a big deal, I'm starting to really abide by that.

  • @SovietLensReviews
    @SovietLensReviews3 жыл бұрын

    Some of the wrappings those eBay sellers come up with are very creative! I've had 20 year old newspaper used as padding before

  • @dandobi
    @dandobi3 жыл бұрын

    damnnnnn, dude great video. love the review. keep it up

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Dan! Looking forward to warmer weather for more outdoor stuff. go!

  • @neilpiper9889
    @neilpiper98893 жыл бұрын

    I had a 20mm f4 Pentacon m42 lens which was great fun. Manual aperture

  • @andreasaltenkirch6288
    @andreasaltenkirch62883 жыл бұрын

    Once again a great video Mark 😁👍... The MIR20 is a great alternative to the 20mm flektogon. Especially when it comes to price. Personally, I got an olympus zuiko 21mm f3.5. Although it lacks the small focus distance, but it is light and compact.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    nice!

  • @120fps
    @120fps3 жыл бұрын

    It’s a beauty to look at, but maybe more of a sassy mistress to use, as you say especially before you get it rehoused. One of our m42 has a stiff focus too, so constantly unscrews itself!! Great video as always dude & congrats Andrew 🎉🍉

  • @JohnDoe-lg2rg
    @JohnDoe-lg2rg3 жыл бұрын

    nice review man

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks John!

  • @anador8934
    @anador89343 жыл бұрын

    Nice video Mark; this lens is hefty, that reminded me of some other lens that i recommend you reviewing, which is Tair 3a 300mm f4.5 - 1.2kg of pure Stalinium XD; Some people say because of it's weight it has built in Soviet image stabilizer XD....

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    you have peaked my curiosity lol

  • @GearFocus
    @GearFocus3 жыл бұрын

    Any suggestions on loosening a focus ring? We have a 24mm FD lens with a unusably stiff focus ring

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    I unfortunately have zero experience in this aspect...i've barely broken a screw to take these apart lol. I think you can grease them, I know Lee Zavits did his Contax Zeiss lenses himself and he just watched a tutorial on Tube. I think FD's might be different. Check this out - www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3962037

  • @michelangelotorres_filmmaker
    @michelangelotorres_filmmaker3 жыл бұрын

    very curious to see when you'll test the rehoused version. I heard about MIR lenses back in the days when the original BMPCC came out because there was the 11M, a 12,5mm specifically created for the 16mm sensors, often sold with Vega 7-1 (20mm/f2) and Tair-41M (50mm/f2). I think there are some kits still available on Ebay. Out of question, between an edit revision and another, I'm writing an article about vintage lenses-focused YT channels: can I mention yours?

  • @khalideid8463
    @khalideid84633 жыл бұрын

    Love ur videos and ur sense of humor and all the information:))) I have a question plz can u share with me the link that u bought the inception totem from 🙏🏽🙏🏽

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Forever spin in Toronto. www.ForeverSpin.com

  • @MrCochise71
    @MrCochise713 жыл бұрын

    I'd love to find vintage lenses for my canon 5ds... Great vid man.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    The M42 mounts are the best, although this one I hear might have infinity focus issues adapted to some DSLR's. I'm not 100% sure though.

  • @pascaldeshayes5459
    @pascaldeshayes54593 жыл бұрын

    Great stuff! Thank you so much. What about a Contax Zeiss 21mm review? (Or have I missed something?)

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Haven’t done it yet. I wanted to do a bigger look in that with a few others but we’re on another lock down so pushing it down a bit :)

  • @pascaldeshayes5459

    @pascaldeshayes5459

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze Cool! The $1700 question is : is it worth spending that much on a pretty specialized lens or not? I find my CZ 25mm already pretty wide (on s35), so I'm wondering what kind of distortion the 21 would produce. But if it has that famous CZ 3Dness...

  • @jean-marcschwartz2525
    @jean-marcschwartz25253 жыл бұрын

    I saw all your videos. Greaaat. 👍. By the way, any recommendations for a good (maybe the best) ND filter ? Cheers from France

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Simmod VND is my go to. It’s a VNd over ND so variable

  • @jean-marcschwartz2525

    @jean-marcschwartz2525

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze thanks for the quick answer 👍, freewheel just realese a new one, the mist edition ND variable, to compare in a future video?

  • @Boyerobert
    @Boyerobert3 жыл бұрын

    You got bucket list for F-Mount, keep,it nice and cheap ;-)

  • @simonsusername
    @simonsusername3 жыл бұрын

    Great... now i need to buy this...

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Get the Tak over this one lol. It’s great but it’s a tough kens to wrangle 😂

  • @simonsusername

    @simonsusername

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze damn you're fast! 🤣🤣 but nvm just got to the part with the m42 mount issue, i can already see myself dropping it every 10 min

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ya this lens was particularly bad but it depends on your copy. The Takumar is just so buttery. Never used a stiff focus Tak.

  • @Jason__________
    @Jason__________ Жыл бұрын

    That was the best best unboxing ever! hahaha

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    Жыл бұрын

    Utterly ridiculous 😆

  • @Dravde
    @Dravde3 жыл бұрын

    Nice video for a nice lens! A little note: all soviet lenses should be re-lubed, because they REALLY didnt bother to put good grease on those helicoids. Fresh molybdenum disulfide grease works wonders on those old lenses.

  • @garyking4032
    @garyking40323 жыл бұрын

    Hey Mark - thanks for the review, I've always wondered about the Mir wide. Regarding Ironglass - is that $400 off for all provided lenses? I've got a Mir 1B, Helios 44 and Tair 11A that'd make a nice set (an EF mount Helios 40 too but I think they prefer the Jupiter as donor glass).

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Not sure what all of them are, the Mir 20 and 28 are 400 off, I think the price might vary for the others. Might want to ask them for specifics. Fairly nee concept still

  • @garyking4032

    @garyking4032

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze Thanks mate, much appreciated

  • @IntrovertAmateur
    @IntrovertAmateur3 жыл бұрын

    oh man, imagine after all that hassle you find a rock instead of the lens 😆 ... but to be honet, I would have packed it the same way - just to be sure it arrives safe 😇 Amazing video as always Mark 🔥👍 Luckily this lens doesn't sound like I could use it for my current workflow, therefore enjoyed the video very much and my wallet also says thank you 😆 Btw ... fluffy toilet paper? Didn't heard that term before 😂

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Oh man that would be funny and tragic at the same time, the unoboxing video would have been 100% funnier though .... i should have setup a reaction cam as well, i really didn't expect it to be that challenging lol.

  • @denisrandomtech5822
    @denisrandomtech58223 жыл бұрын

    The footage out of this lens is really filmic. It seems that i need to buy another Mir lens :)

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's magic on a SUPER 35 sensor, I'll do a lot more video with it once it's re-housed. The focus on it currently is too stiff to use on anything but static shots.

  • @jalakanen
    @jalakanen3 жыл бұрын

    This was my favourite all around lens on 35mm camera.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    I can see why! :)

  • @ryanbennett2650
    @ryanbennett26503 жыл бұрын

    My favorite part of owning this lens is the pseudo metal plastic that the aperture and focus ring is made out of and that the focus ring isn't on straight.

  • @PawelChyrowski
    @PawelChyrowski3 жыл бұрын

    Great Mark! I mean the Great Mark :P

  • @daniel635biturbo
    @daniel635biturbo3 жыл бұрын

    Can you still hear me, or is it just room tone ? I recently bought a rectilinear Konica 24mm f2,8, and noticed a pretty strong field curvature. @4:35 it seems that the left edge is in focus, but pretty far away, am I on to something here ? (my Konica were similar)

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hmmm I think that’s a render error because I just checked original photo and it’s clean. Interesting. I didn’t catch this! Thanks for the Hawkeyes mate

  • @daniel635biturbo

    @daniel635biturbo

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze I were looking to find it 😊 On my Konica, if I focus at close range, lets say 30cm in the center of the image, the corners are pretty blurry (@2,8), to get the corners sharp I need to pull back the focus about 20mm. If I have a ruler in diagonal of the frame, and turn on focus peaking, it's VERY obvious. Red peaking in center of image, pulls back focus, and I can see two red markings get wider and divide into two the more I pull back focus. Pretty interesting to explore different lenses quirks and features !

  • @markbeadle6434
    @markbeadle64342 жыл бұрын

    Hope that re-housing went well. I’ve had the Arsenal made F mount one for a while, I ve used it twice on overcast days here in northeast England and it STILL flares. It’s getting it’s last chance saloon today. Otherwise it’s going to live on a body on my shelf haha

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    2 жыл бұрын

    It did mate. It’s like a brand new lens now. More how it handles, I wish I could have a photo and a cinema version of it, but alas my work is video centric.

  • @markbeadle6434

    @markbeadle6434

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze good news ! Makes plenty sense, they’re not cheap items for their ability. For a photographic lens your money is probably better invested elsewhere now or just continue with that takumar :)

  • @optimumfilms
    @optimumfilms3 жыл бұрын

    If there was only some way to get my hands on a OM 21mm f2. It's only $900 MORE than the Ziess lens. Could it possibly be worth it?

  • @digitalanalogue5432
    @digitalanalogue54322 жыл бұрын

    Hi Mark, thanks for the review. Out of curiosity, how would you rate this lens against the Nikkor 20mm f3.5 if you’ve gotten around to the comparison? Thanks

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    2 жыл бұрын

    Haven't tried the Nikkor unfortunately.

  • @digitalanalogue5432

    @digitalanalogue5432

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze will be remaining hopeful at a video drop on your side that compares the two 😁

  • @punkrachmaninoff
    @punkrachmaninoff3 жыл бұрын

    sure, you got the lens... but where do I find a scissor? Do you sell the scissor here, or do I have to go to another store for that?

  • @paulinap-k8409
    @paulinap-k84093 жыл бұрын

    That was some unboxing experience 🤣

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    One I never want to relive again 😂

  • @RevonnCadsawan
    @RevonnCadsawan3 жыл бұрын

    Wonder how was it on m43 GH5????

  • @fishwigy
    @fishwigy3 жыл бұрын

    Oh hi Mark! Do you have any short telephoto (like 85mm) that you can recommend in a m42 mount that can be easily found?

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Jupiter 9 85mm F2 is good

  • @fishwigy

    @fishwigy

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze yeah it's really nice. I hope I can get one of those at a good price. They have shot up

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Suoer Tak 105 F2.8 is a food option too. 85’s are generally pricy

  • @fishwigy

    @fishwigy

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze I have covered from 28 to 135 with my vintage lenses collection (and cameras) so far but I'm missing 35, 85 and something else. That 135 2.8 minolta celtic is supposed to be an economic line but it has the same optical design as the rokkor and its very good. I hope you can find it.

  • @angelfoto4795
    @angelfoto47953 жыл бұрын

    The stiffness could be just the need for new lubrication and the filters issue solved with step-ups I use that with mine to proteck the front element. I have the Mir 20N from Arsenal (1987) and the focus is pretty well balance and it has the chip for Nikon cameras. Be careful, this lens suffers from weird blue corner reflections sometimes and requires corrections.

  • @projectgoatse

    @projectgoatse

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah, this is likely just a case of dry helicoid grease. I have a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar that has the same issue.

  • @angelfoto4795

    @angelfoto4795

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@projectgoatse Same, CZJ lenses suffer a lot from this.

  • @puzoki
    @puzoki3 жыл бұрын

    Review the MC Zenitar 16mm f/2.8, please

  • @orfibous
    @orfibous5 ай бұрын

    About the filters. The lens was produced with rear side filters. I got a UV, a orange and a green-yellow set.

  • @richardweddle3408
    @richardweddle34083 жыл бұрын

    I see " dust" and "haze" and "fungus" itemized in the list of imperfections for vintage lenses auctioned on ebay. Should one buy a lens if it has dust or haze or fungus? isn't the image compromised?

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Small dust is fine and to be expected. Fungus avoid, haze avoid if you can.

  • @jamesonkillen8280
    @jamesonkillen82803 жыл бұрын

    Have you ever tried a Konica 15mm f2.8? I feel like you'd have a blast comparing it to the Takumar and the Mir

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    I haven’t! I might have to! Thanks for the suggestion mate!

  • @jamesonkillen8280

    @jamesonkillen8280

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze I really enjoy mine, it has some unique characteristics that I haven't seen on other lenses. It is pretty obscure, I couldn't find many for sale.

  • @kp-ti1xv
    @kp-ti1xv3 жыл бұрын

    I'm looking to buy a vintage wide angle lens. This seems like a nice one, but I'm leaning towards the Cari Zeiss Jena 20 f/2.8 MC. If anyone has experience with that lens I would appreciate to hear what you think about it

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    You can't go wrong with a Jena, those lenses had some serious standards.

  • @TruesideCz

    @TruesideCz

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great lens..it is a blueprint for this lens actually. :)

  • @patriziodalessandro1693
    @patriziodalessandro16933 жыл бұрын

    Hi Mark. Talking about filters for this lens, I could not understand if the lens hard case you received is the original one or not. Anyway I suggest you check if the cover of the case has a "secret" compartment which holds the three M28x0.75 filters originally sold with this lens: - UV (x1) - Yellow/Green (x2) - Orange (x2.8) and which you can mount by screwing them on the rear lens... If you were wondering what was the reason for the funny external thread on the rear lens, now you know.

  • @PabloDeBiasi

    @PabloDeBiasi

    Жыл бұрын

    UV must be always on since filters are part of the optical scheme, otherwise you have to adjust infinity focus, at least that's very easy to do. I broke off my green filter glass and glued a BETAFPV ND16 glass in its place to have and ND, but since it's not curved it doesn't focus properly at infinity

  • @patriziodalessandro1693

    @patriziodalessandro1693

    Жыл бұрын

    @@PabloDeBiasi You are correct in stating that interposing a piece of glass (in this case a filter) between the lens and the sensor will change the Flange Focal Distance (or even placing the filter inside the lens, as it usually happens with fast telephoto lenses). I would not worry about the curvature of the rear filter, but more about its thickness...) The funny thing is that the original manual of this lens simply indicates that three optonal filters are supplied with the lens, describing their effect and how to recalculate the exposure accordingly. The manual tells nothing about always having to screw a filter on the rear of the lens... Probably for a 20mm f/3,5 the change in the FFD is not so dramatic (I did not calculate the difference, but it is quite easy to do so) and depth of field will ensure focus, at least for sufficiently far away objects. Still it is not clear if the optical scheme of the lens was calculated to include the rear filter or not (that is what I believe, considering what is written in the manual). If you have strong problems with focus, may I ask what camera/adapter you are using? Do you check your focus on the sensor or do you use the lens' distance scale? For example I use a Sigma 14/1,8 and I am not so happy that infinity is not on a hard stop (especially for night astrophotography), so you learn to adapt... Anyway, you could always put a calibrated thickness spacer ring between the lens and the adapter (FFD increases, if the design was calculated with a filter on) or maybe buy a better adapter?

  • @PabloDeBiasi

    @PabloDeBiasi

    Жыл бұрын

    @@patriziodalessandro1693 i use an A7III with K&F pro adapter, but I added a 0.2mm dhim to get proper infinity focus with all my soviet lenses. No problems with the Mir 20 since its infinity focus can be easily adjusted

  • @DaveWatts_ejectamenta
    @DaveWatts_ejectamenta3 жыл бұрын

    From your test image, it seems as if the MIR is sharper than the Takumar, especially in the centre. I think the problem with these ultra-wides is the amount of detail brought into the picture by the wide field of view. When the objects are so small it is not possible to get enough detail on them (pixellated) and then the image looks a bit unsharp. Maybe a camera with a huge amount of pixels (eg. > 50MP) would be better in this regard, or even better a medium format camera. BTW I never had that problem with unscrewing because of stiff focusing, maybe not all of them are that bad, I expect a repairman would be able to re-lube the focus mechanism and make it more fluid.

  • @daniloarenas4033
    @daniloarenas40332 жыл бұрын

    Anybody knows what’s the size of lens cap please?

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    2 жыл бұрын

    I don't anymore unfortunately the lens has been modded and I don't have it in it' sold form any longer. Sorry mate. Hope you fo und your answer.

  • @johnmehalick
    @johnmehalick3 жыл бұрын

    Please post a few pictures with the 20 mm lens! Instagram, Facebook. I am loving the Asahi lens 28mm and 35mm for still pictures. Just bought a 50mm1.4 Super-Takumar. I have one Soviet lens. Trying not to go down that Soviet Lens rabbit hole!

  • @gerryhardman9060
    @gerryhardman9060 Жыл бұрын

    Hey Mark as usual I love your videos. Why not try some of the vintage Nikkors. The 20mm f4 or3.5 are small and sharp and the 3.5 is great for shooting into the sun. I have the 2.8 Ais and it has great bokeh and is really sharp as well. These lenses sell for $250 Canadian and down. They also take 52 or 62mm filters. As far as stiff focussing collars try using Nu-trol cleaner for electronics which is denatured alcohol with some mineral oil in it. I have used it on several lenses and it works great to loosen up helicoids with out getting on the glass inside. The alcohol loosens up the old grease and the evaporates leaving the mineral oil which is lighter behind. I just used it on a Konica lens last night and it’s never worked so smooth. I’m really looking forward to your Takumar/Zeiss shoot off. And thanks a lot, because of you I’ve been buying Takumars and yet I’ve always been an Nikon shooter. But since I acquired a mirror less camera, I can use any lens on this thing. So of course I now have a number of m 42s. I also just ordered a 35F 2 Takumar which is your fault as well. But I must admit they are a lot of fun to shoot with, no Nikon can compare with the smoothness of the focusing. Although Nikon was certainly the leader in Lens design, especially with fast lenses which I have many of. I’ve been using those dandelion chips on them and they work great. They give an old lens new life. They even work great with the FTZ adapter. Again as always I really enjoy your videos and you’re editing is impeccable, it’s obviously you do it well and have been for years. Thanks, Gerry

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    Жыл бұрын

    I have a 35 F2, but just not been super inspired to lens test lately. It will come soon enough though, fall is in the air so…always a good opportunity to get out and shoot.

  • @gerryhardman9060

    @gerryhardman9060

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze yes I hope to be in Toronto in the fall as well, probably October so I hope I can shoot some fall leaves with my new 35 F 2 Takumar. It’s quite sharp in the centre up close but it’s very yellow. So over the next few weeks I will expose it to some ultraviolet light to change that because right now it’s like literally having a yellow filter over the lens. I know I can correct it with white balance but I would rather have it clear. Thanks for the like to my comment.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes clear is good, mine is heavily compromised as well, I haven’t exposed it quite yet, likely this fall as well.

  • @tigerheaddude
    @tigerheaddude3 жыл бұрын

    Besides eBay, what other websites do you guys for vintage lenses?

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    eBay is it to be honest, GearFocus is another source, also local listings/online market places are good too. But EBAY I can search for exactly what I want and it's a global market so, i'll always find what i need.

  • @tigerheaddude

    @tigerheaddude

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze cool, good to know! Thanks!

  • @AirFuchs1
    @AirFuchs12 жыл бұрын

    Better get the Carl Zeiss Jena (GDR) Flektogon 20mm f4. Close to zero distortion, very smooth focus ring.

  • @LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS
    @LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS3 жыл бұрын

    Can ironglass rehouse any lens or are there only certain lenses they can take.

  • @alanbesedin

    @alanbesedin

    3 жыл бұрын

    For now just Soviet, but Canon FD is coming next

  • @LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS

    @LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@alanbesedin ahhhh darn. I have some vivitar lenses that I would love to get the same treatment.

  • @gitithadani
    @gitithadani3 жыл бұрын

    I got the export quality nikon f mount version in almost new condition and the focus is buttery smooth. Build is also better. There is lots of variance in these lenses and I always try to get the export version for nikon. The m42 version can be hit and miss. I had the flektagon f4 version for exakta mount and this is an optical improvement. It can give some very special cinematic textures but for normal UW architecture I prefer the 17-28 tamron.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the post mate! Curious about those F mount versions as I saw those were singled out. I wasn’t sure what the story is behind that.

  • @gitithadani

    @gitithadani

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze in ex soviet union there were low quality lenses made which could be bought w local rouble but export quality had to be bought with foreign currency or special rouble. So for only the elite. Those that they exported for nikon and pentax had quality control. Also Nikon was considered the leader in the film era so they had to compete with their lenses. The m42 mount was used by zenit and also cameras from earlier DDR or east germany. So quality control was less. Same is story with some east german lens - some excellent some just come apart. BTW Mir made a great 35mmf2 lens for nikon.

  • @lanolinlight
    @lanolinlight3 жыл бұрын

    haha I think I know that Russian ebay seller! Went through the exact same sealed box/mountain of wrapping recently for a Helios 44-2.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    at the very least it "protects the lens" but overkill like crazy!

  • @kkygeek
    @kkygeek3 жыл бұрын

    Nothing suave there indeed!

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Total fail that I managed to salvage lol comedy...truth and pain

  • @paulsalonikas3625
    @paulsalonikas36256 ай бұрын

    Hi, i own this lens for many years and thn problem with stiffnes is only at f3.5. Switching to f4 and focus ring becomes buttery smoth. The softness or stifness on the aperture ring is uneven. If the front element is extended then the lens cap is hard to take off because of the screw in the top of the barrel shade. But, i have learn to live with these. The worst of all is the extreme corners when shooting outdoors. They lose there contrast because of light that this massive front element collects. This is the most disappointing thing..

  • @ArchieRowe
    @ArchieRowe3 жыл бұрын

    That's was a dope vid! And yes my vote absolutely goes for packing in toilet paper. Covid has that stuff running off the shelves everywhere.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    I've got lots of it too lol, so happy to spare a few squares ;)

  • @stevenwalker7081
    @stevenwalker70813 жыл бұрын

    Infact - come to think of it; the composition needs to work from top to bottom; more than side to side; that will make sense when you see it. If I think most of the pictures I've enjoyed; its when the wide angle has given something running up and down in the picture. Over head and below. They kill the horizon anyway; that's all too far away. Plus; we evolved in the wide open spaces. So we are used to that. So its able to surprise us by giving looming verticals. Waterfalls pouring down infront of us. Towering light houses. It breaks up "the usual" flat, left to right, sort of pictures we are used to. Get in under the tree canopy; or right up close to the boat so it towers over. I think it works best where it can show the vertical of it; rather than the horizontal. If that makes sense . . .

  • @Rohambili
    @Rohambili Жыл бұрын

    6:42 Nope! Thats becouse the old grease.... Hispan just regreesed my "new" Pentacon 50/1.8 whic behaved like what you show in this video... :D Gets out from m42 adapter... When hispan regreesed started working fine... i mean realy smooth now... 👍

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    Жыл бұрын

    Ya old grease is the reason for sure, but made worse when shooting in the cold because of fluid dynamics. Re grease always fixed a stiff focus, but in the end it was being rehoused anyway so all of this is redundant for this lens. But ya old grease on old lenses is just an issue one must deal with. It’s workable, unlike balsam separation ;) ✊

  • @VIDDTHEDESIGNER
    @VIDDTHEDESIGNER2 жыл бұрын

    My lense is not stiff at all. smooth like butta !

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    2 жыл бұрын

    Definitely a way to grease them for sure! How are you enjoying your perfectly weighted glass? :)

  • @ZoeMaven
    @ZoeMaven3 жыл бұрын

    Have never laughed so much watching an unboxing.... I guess the seller loves this lens more than you do.... 😃

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    😂 it was painful, but that’s what made it interesting!

  • @invertthelab6532
    @invertthelab65323 жыл бұрын

    sometimes you just need scroll scroll and scroll through market price then you gonna find something that looks good in lower tag

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    2 жыл бұрын

    Patience is key.

  • @AndriusMaciunas
    @AndriusMaciunas2 жыл бұрын

    Relubricate and you will LOVE this lens!:)

  • @Alex_Foto_Video
    @Alex_Foto_Video3 жыл бұрын

    With all of this packaging, you don't need to practise with unboxing. You need to call exorcist 😂

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    😂 you’re right!!! The power of C compels you foul demon box

  • @five_star_images3019
    @five_star_images30193 жыл бұрын

    I have the mir1b.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thoughts?

  • @five_star_images3019

    @five_star_images3019

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze my copy is really sharp, great color rendition, and produce some beautiful bokeh. It’s wide enough for my needs. It’s a solid performer, it does flare a bit. But snag one off eBay. I don’t think you will regret it. I can’t remember how much I paid but it looked brand new.

  • @mikechudzinski6629
    @mikechudzinski66293 жыл бұрын

    Hmmm...another lens I have not heard about. I need more than 97 degrees FOV. Oly Zuiko 7 - 14mm is 114. Kinotpik 5.7mm is 120, Kinoptik 5mm is approx 132...I am going to contact you on Twitter, I found a gentleman in Berlin who produces 3D printed filter boxes for lenses that either do not have solutions for attaching filters (ND, CPL, IRcut) or the filter solutions for the lenses are dramatically expensive...

  • @myblueandme
    @myblueandme Жыл бұрын

    Is it radioactive ?

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    Жыл бұрын

    It is not no.

  • @nevermindykyr14
    @nevermindykyr143 жыл бұрын

    I have an older mir20. The focus ring is very smooth. The aperture is stiff but that’s it’s only flaw. I think you have a mediocre copy. It’s beautiful

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Condition may vary I guess! I still love it lol. The rehousing will fix the focus issue, I got it for a good price so didn’t expect the body to be mint. Smooth focus would help for sure!

  • @nevermindykyr14

    @nevermindykyr14

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze absolutely! I have several Soviet lenses, some of which I have a few copies of. They’re all in different conditions. With the mir20, I’ve heard more complaints of a stiff aperture. I personally love this lens and use it frequently along with a 28mm Soviet lens that has a similar image quality and character.

  • @reboot1337
    @reboot13373 жыл бұрын

    maybe do toilet paper giveaway and wrap that with lenses :p

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    lol! WhY NOT?

  • @reboot1337

    @reboot1337

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze i love your lens reviews

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@reboot1337 Thanks mate, happy to hear it! :) Thanks for watching!

  • @technol-bismol3778
    @technol-bismol37783 жыл бұрын

    You said Andrew and I lost it then you said John then I was sad😭

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    I’m sorry mate lol. I am, it’s so hard for me to just draw one name!

  • @tomislavmiletic_
    @tomislavmiletic_3 жыл бұрын

    If you shoot with lens as wide as this one is for prolonged period of time, shooting thru every other lens feels like looking thru sniper scope or Hubble telescope, take your pick. Happened to me many times. Despite that, I adore wide lenses...

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    It’s so true! Just immediately switched over to the Tair 11A 135 and it’s like Boom!! HELLO!l 😂

  • @legacy_mans
    @legacy_mans Жыл бұрын

    Thanks 400$ creasy

  • @jamesjuranke
    @jamesjuranke3 жыл бұрын

    Just a typical Soviet style lens.... ripping it off the camera mount when focusing. Will be interesting to see how it foes after the re housing.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    That’s just the problem with m42 mounts generally. No locking device, the stiff focus is a Soviet thing but most aged lenses could suffer from that as well. M42 was versatile but ya no locking caused issues for years

  • @kayvankeshavarz
    @kayvankeshavarz3 жыл бұрын

    I was hoping to hear my name 😭 😂

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    I"M SORRY! It was painful to draw just one, I wish I could give them all away...but what would I make videos with? lol

  • @kayvankeshavarz

    @kayvankeshavarz

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze you’re right! Next time. Keep making videos!

  • @stevenwalker7081
    @stevenwalker70813 жыл бұрын

    I don't know how it helps with video. But for stills; stop looking for "ordinary" subjects; trees and things. You have already figured out that close focus is vital to a wide angle. Now; go find a yellow boat, on a big sandy beach, under a blue sky. Stick the lens right up against the bow of the boat; and congratulations! - you have just invented colour! Wide angles are about HUGE lumps of colour, infront of some other huge lumps of colour; with a huge lump of colour overhead. It's all about big graphical lumps of colour. You gotta get close!

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hard with the colour pallet around these parts in the dead of winter. I’m also not a photographer, my medium is video and sequence of shots paired with other elements of narrative. Excellent points though! Spring should be fun.

  • @stevenwalker7081

    @stevenwalker7081

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze Yes; that's the thing I have discovered too. A photograph needs a subject. A video needs a story. But I love the 20mm view. The first one I ever had; I was photographing steam engines in their houses. I pushed the camera right back into the corner (there was no where else to stand.) When I got the pictures developed; I realised I had a picture of the other three corners and (some of) all four walls. I was hooked! That was 40 years ago. But you got to get in the water, climb over the rocks, and kneel in the mud. Wide angles are more like macro photography than landscapes. You gotta get close. Great videos! You carry on.

  • @roybixby6135
    @roybixby61353 жыл бұрын

    I done expect perfect optics but - More than half the soviet lenses i've bought have significant problems. Fog from oil, Stuck focus, fungus and badly scratched front elements. One lens arrived with all of the problems above. Solution - But Japanese...

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    User experience may vary for sure. Mine have been good personally. Just got the Tair 11A and it’s a work of industrial art it is. Very sharp, very easy to work with. But yes quality on Soviet lenses varies widely. I feel your pain. Japanese lenses you can’t go wrong. Germans aren’t half bad either ;)

  • @roybixby6135

    @roybixby6135

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze At least the Soviet lenses used to be cheap...

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@roybixby6135 So did FD L's lol...15 years ago ;)

  • @roybixby6135

    @roybixby6135

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze I bought most of my Nikkor Ai/Ais lenses when AFD lenses bacame the way to go...

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@roybixby6135 Nice! Those are keepers! I want to get a set of those to check out eventually.

  • @chriscoxdp
    @chriscoxdp3 жыл бұрын

    Wide angle vintages are nearly as expensive as samyang lenses which makes me upset as they're lucky dips imo. and samyang lenses are known quantities.

  • @RostykMakushak
    @RostykMakushak3 жыл бұрын

    1:53 Not to mention that Russians stole Space Shuttle design (I’m referring to 🛩 Energia-Buran unmanned space vehicle which flew only once 😂)

  • @JacobCarlson
    @JacobCarlson3 жыл бұрын

    It's not that you are bad at unboxing, but rather that the people you are buying from are horrible at packaging

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    😂 that lens came in 3 days though, from Russia. I ordered the 28 Mir 10A same time from a different vendor with more on shipping and it won’t get here until March 11th. Two months later...I’ll take the bad wrapping over horrible shipping times any day 😂

  • @silencenhikes6692
    @silencenhikes66923 жыл бұрын

    Curb your enthusiasm music fit well.

  • @zatoichiable
    @zatoichiable3 жыл бұрын

    like cabbage wrapping...

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    😆 I’ve never heard of that before but it fits so well, I know exactly what you mean. ✊

  • @TorontoBoris
    @TorontoBoris3 жыл бұрын

    You need to stop this.... I can't afford any more lenses... :(

  • @angli2794

    @angli2794

    3 жыл бұрын

    hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    This one is a bit tricky, so if you're on the fence....hold tight. If it were a stock I'd say "HOLD" if you could, (not a buy or a sell). The tak 20 is also a good option, might be easier to find as well.

  • @ingowalkerling5141
    @ingowalkerling51413 жыл бұрын

    All russian Lenses are packed this way. Russian people know why this should be done as it's done...

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    Last two that came from Russia were much more efficiently packed lol. They didn’t make for as funny of an unboxing experience ;)

  • @batworker
    @batworker3 жыл бұрын

    Bloody hell, the seller of that hadn’t grasped the concept of reducing waste plastics had they? 😬

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    clearly not...i've sectioned it off and will use it for my own packing...over time. At least keep it out of the landfills for a few more months.

  • @ArthurD

    @ArthurD

    3 жыл бұрын

    That "waste plastic" is a) Essential to protect the lens from any potential damage that could happen on its way to whatever country Mark sits in; b) Is literally nothing compared to the daily quantity of waste generated by the USA and China.

  • @amaddinthenow
    @amaddinthenow Жыл бұрын

    Larry always struggles to open a package.

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    Жыл бұрын

    I laughed so hard at that knife scene the first time I saw it because of how close it hits home. This unfolded in real time my thoughts were of this scene lol. I had to include it

  • @JPerry-jw9ik
    @JPerry-jw9ik3 жыл бұрын

    Why you do dis to me?

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm sorry! lol

  • @RaphaelIgrisianu
    @RaphaelIgrisianu2 жыл бұрын

    you seem to copy Peter McKinnon in a way :)

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    2 жыл бұрын

    Weird, I don’t even watch peter mckinnon. Maybe he copied me? ;)

  • @RaphaelIgrisianu

    @RaphaelIgrisianu

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze however, maybe just a coincidence Im thinking this

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    2 жыл бұрын

    Def a coincidence. It’s easier to be myself than copy someone else. Peters career is KZread, mine is narrative films and docs ;) I’m not selling anything on KZread

  • @RaphaelIgrisianu

    @RaphaelIgrisianu

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@MarkHoltze didnt mean to offend you

  • @AndyMullane
    @AndyMullane3 жыл бұрын

    That is an unconscionable amount of plastic wrapping

  • @hyperion050
    @hyperion0503 жыл бұрын

    sharpen your knife!

  • @MarkHoltze

    @MarkHoltze

    3 жыл бұрын

    It’s so sharp lol, I’ve used it like twice