EC Series: Lenses for the last Miranda SLRs

Compact, modern lenses for the last Mirandas

For their new, compact dx-3 in 1974, Miranda revamped the major lenses in the E series line. The 28mm, 35mm and 50mm lenses were significantly smaller than their predecessors. The focusing rings were rubberized, replacing the scalloped serration design which had started with the K series for the Miranda C in 1958.  The aperture rings were a soft chrome, black numerals and a black triangle setting for EE operation. All EC lenses are marked with red "EC" letters on the front escutcheon ring. 

Functionally the EC lenses are identical to the E series, and are interchangeable with them.

With the demise of the dx-3, two last Miranda SLRs were available for these EC lenses. The RE-II was essentially a Sensomat RE with the full aperture metering mechanism of the dx-3 added in. The EE-2 was a cosmetic upgrade to the Sensorex EE and offered the same shutter preferred automation. 

The same warning applies for EC lens as for the E lenses with the RE-II or dx-3 cameras. They do not have automatic exposure systems, and I have seen warnings in the handbooks for these cameras not to set the lenses to the triangle (auto) position. My experience with the metering systems for these cameras confirms this, the aperture reading cams are somewhat delicate and I would avoid stretching their range by setting the lens to the EE position.

The 25mm lens was discontinued, and the longest lens offered in EC was 200mm. Two new lenses were added; another 50mm macro lens (with matching 1:1 tube) and a solid, well designed 80-200 mm lens. This latter is fairly readily found secondhand and makes an excellent user lens for any automatic Miranda SLR.  We have seen a 300mm f4 EC advertised in a German catalogue, but no actual example of this lens has been sighted.

Soligor C/D lenses were also offered in EC mount for some years after the demise of Miranda SLR cameras, in various configurations. Some look identical to their Miranda branded counterparts, others do not, but these lenses offer good performance for the time (and are still very acceptable today) at reasonable prices. 

The table below lists the known Miranda EC lenses (technical data TBA):