Mir-20 unable to focus

[ObsidianLycan]

Hi!
I picked up a Mir-20 and was very excited! Went to test it out on my Sony with my usual M42 adaptor, and it is unable to focus. The rear element does indeed move back and forward as i turn the focus, but the image is still a total blur. Double-checked on my Zenit E looking through the eyepiece, same thing (just thought best to try there also lol).

Set the lens to f16 and these are photos from 0.10m and infinity. When I just look through the lens normally, without a camera, it is all in focus (3rd photo from my camera phone).

I definitely feel I have missed something, and I am doing something wrong and maybe this lens isn't made for 35mm?

 

[Kino]

Hmmm. Can I ask where you bought it?

Someone might have cleaned the lens elements and flipped one in the wrong direction.

EDIT: Oh wait! This lens is like the 30mm ARSAT lens for a Kiev 88 medium format camera! It requires a filter on the back to get proper focus!

Soviet Lens Mir-20M 3,5/20 review - USSRs Phototechnics

fotoussr.com

"By the way, keep in mind that the light filter is part of the Mir-20M optical circuit. Some of the filters must be screwed on the back necessarily! You don’t need colored ones for the figure, so it must be ultraviolet.
If the filter is lost, the lens is not suitable for shooting.
In general, the filters are located in a special compartment in the hinged cover of the lens case. Many do not even know about the presence of such. Check it out."

 

[ObsidianLycan]

Hmmm. Can I ask where you bought it?

Someone might have cleaned the lens elements and flipped one in the wrong direction.

Hi! I bought it from ebay, so if that is the case perhaps I can return it. It was a good deal so I don't mind some light work to correct this.

 

[Kino]

See edited post above...

You might be able to locate a set of filters for the lens to make it useful, but that may prove to be difficult.

Might be best to contact the seller and ask if they have the filters or can obtain them; otherwise I would send it back.

 

[ObsidianLycan]

See edited post above...

Hi, that makes sense....you are certainly correct! I will reach out to the seller, and at the same time look for filters and weigh up my options. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[ObsidianLycan]

See edited post above...

You might be able to locate a set of filters for the lens to make it useful, but that may prove to be difficult.

Might be best to contact the seller and ask if they have the filters or can obtain them; otherwise I would send it back.

Thanks so much for your help! The seller got back to me, the rear element and the screw-threaded ring have been posted to me. The lens works perfectly now

 

[Kino]

Thanks so much for your help! The seller got back to me, the rear element and the screw-threaded ring have been posted to me. The lens works perfectly now

Whew! You got lucky! Glad to have helped!