The Mir-10A is one of the best examples of native Soviet wide-angle lens design. At 28mm and f/3.5, it is a versatile, sturdy lens that can be used on modern full-frame cameras with an adapter. Combine its solid sharpness with creative flares that it produces, the lens is a real gem in a catalogue of vintage wide-angles.
Originally conceived in the 1960s by the State Optical Institute of the USSR (GOI), the lens did not enter serial production until the 1980s. The Mir-10A has an interchangeable shank, which allows it to be swapped for other mounts such as the Kiev (Nikon) mount, if you have the correct adapter. The lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.5, which can stop down to f/22, a characteristic not common in many Soviet lenses. It also has a minimum focusing distance of 0.2 meters, enabling near macro shots, making it a versatile tool for various photography styles.
The Mir-10A is not only renowned for its operational features, but also for its solid build quality – there’s not many 28mm f/3.5 lenses bigger or heavier than this one! It weighs 520 grams and comes with a 67 millimeter filter thread at the front. It also includes a unique aperture preset ring and a precise focus ring. The lens is built by KMZ, the Krasnogorsk plant (now Zenit), known for its high-quality optical products.
The Mir-10A is beautifully sharp in the centre of the frame and can handle a wide range of looks in post-processing. The 6-bladed aperture of the lens creates unique ‘shuriken’ or ‘saw’ shaped bokeh when stopped down. It also creates cinematic flares which add to the aesthetic appeal of photos and video – some companies like Ironglass Adapters rehouse Mir-10A lenses for use in modern cinema cameras. The lens is also well-corrected for distortions such as chromatic aberration and fringing. The Mir-10A’s size is partially due to the face that the Soviets corrected for distortion in-lens – its distortion is so minute that it barely needs to be touched in post-production. The Mir-10A, with its versatile 28mm focal length and superior build quality, is recommended for anyone looking for an exceptional Soviet lens.
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