Miranda 50mm f/1.4 Lens

Ten301 · Dec 16, 2014

Hi,

I was given a Miranda Sensorex and accessories from 1968 in nearly mint condition...it didn't even need new light seals! The strange thing is that the front element of the Auto Miranda 50mm f/1.4 rotates freely when screwing on the lens hood or filter. It doesn't seem to affect image quality at all, and all the gear was obviously pampered and cared for, so I'm wondering if this is normal and the way the lens was designed? It's the version of this lens that accepts 46mm filters. I can't find any information about it online.

Thanks!

frank · Dec 16, 2014

Would you be interested in some lenses and a parts body? The body's shutter doesn't always latch when advanced.

Paul Howell · Dec 16, 2014

I have the 50mm 1/4 in the EE and standard sensorex mount, seven elements in five groups, I have not used the 1.4 in a while but I don't recall that the front element was free to rotate. The lens is a good performer at 1.4, but not as sharp as the 1.8 at F8 or 11, which why I usually shoot with the 1.8 which is six elements in 4 groups. Overall Miranda lens are good performers, I like the 25mm 2.8, and the 200 3.5, the 105 is good but at least copy I have does not seem up the other lens. The one rare lens is the 180 3.5, I have never seen one on EBay.

Ten301 · Dec 16, 2014

Thanks for your reply. Mine is an earlier version of the Auto Miranda 50mm 1.4. It has 8 elements in 6 groups and accepts 46mm filters. I believe the later version accepted 52mm filters. It's an odd beast, but that rotating front element has me a bit confused. It really does seem to be designed that way, but I haven't a clue as to why.

AgX · Dec 16, 2014

But how come?
Even if the retaining ring, and thus the lens, got loose, and if the filter is touching the retaining ring, making the front element turn, by time either the filter is finally locked and the lens element still free, or the lens element arrested too.

Screwing out the filter again should then not make the lens element move much.

Ten301 · Dec 16, 2014

AgX said:
But how come?
Even if the retaining ring, and thus the lens, got loose, and if the filter is touching the retaining ring, making the front element turn, by time either the filter is finally locked and the lens element still free, or the lens element arrested too.

Screwing out the filter again should then not make the lens element move much.

I don't know. Perhaps it is broken? Maybe a filter got stuck and someone tried to remove it too aggressively. The retaining ring continues to rotate freely even with a filter tightened to it. The filter doesn't move, but the retaining ring freely rotates with or without a filter attached. It just seemed a bit odd as such good care had obviously been taken care of the equipment...it really is pristine. The Auto-Miranda 28mm and 135mm lenses are also in perfect condition, but the front element/retaining ring does not turn on either. Again, it doesn't seem to affect image quality on the 50mm 1.4, so I thought it may be by design.

frank · Dec 16, 2014

I wonder if that's to accommodate a rectangular lens hood.

Fast14riot · Dec 17, 2014

I like these old cameras. Reading this info is always fun for me, I should pick up some more glass for my Miranda F. Anyways, thanks for the info.

-X

jajong · Dec 21, 2014

Hi Ten301, there is a screw loose. If you have a close look at the filter ring with the lens extended to 0.43 m., you will find one little screw hole hopefully containing a little screw. This screw should keep the ring in place. It should fit into a slot in the underlying structure. Mine was a bit loose, but it is tight now. On my lens the slot is at the 7 o'clock position, when I face the front lens. Hope this helps.
By the way, it is a very fine lens; I have some images here; http://www.pbase.com/jajong/miranda

Cheers, Jan

Miranda 50mm f/1.4 Lens

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