"Miranda Camera 50mm Lenses"

Miranda 50mm Lenses Summary of which lens you expect to find on which camera A little while back, I did some reseach on the range of standard Miranda camera lenses, found over the range. It became very clear that Miranda had a problem with managing a clear path for backward compatibility, as the metering systems became more complex. Other makes, of course, had the same problem. Miranda had an initial advantage, with the dual mount and the provision of a very effective bayonet. However, the retaining of the external automatic diaphragm meant that the F, G, and Sensorex all kept the front mount to use those old lenses, and the external meter coupling lever found on the Automex-Sensorex series did not work especially well with the all-internal connections found in the Sensorex EE, EE-2, RE-II and dx-3. Because the bayonet mount is unchanged, usually a lens of any vintage will physically fit onto any other camera. Practical usage may be another story, and I have seen many a Miranda for sale at a show, with a lens attached that cannot work properly. This table provides basic recognition data for those looking at purchasing or mixing Mirandas and their lenses. Compatibility of exposure meter systems and how to use the later systems with the early lenses can be fiddly. Please email me if you have a particular camera/lens combination that does not seem to make sense. As you can see, I need more photographs for this page. Contributions (.jpg, about 30kb max) are welcomed. I am very happy to acknowledge authorship of pictures as per the example below.
Orion or Miranda T	ZUNOW 50/1.9 Chrome finish; preset	OFUNAR 50/1.9 Chrome finish; preset; very similar to ZUNOW lens
Orion or Miranda T	Soligor Miranda 50/1.9 Chrome finish; preset. The model T was also supplied with the later black enameled focus ring model shown for the ST.	Soligor Miranda 50/2.8 Chrome finish; preset; not sure of the first date of introduction.	.
Miranda TII	ARCO 50/2.4 Chrome finish; preset
. Miranda ST	Soligor Miranda 50/1.9 Chrome finish with black enameled finish to focusing ring; preset	(Note; I'm not sure if this lens commenced with this model or with the last of the T series)
Miranda S	Soligor Miranda 50/2.8 Chrome finish, black anodized paint to focusing ring; preset. There were several variants in construction.
Miranda A, AII Miranda B	Soligor Miranda 50/1.9 Chromed and aluminium finish overall serial number with Y prefix Pressure Automatic Diaphragm
.Miranda C	Soligor Miranda 50/1.9 Black enamel focus barrel & aperture ring; serial number with Y prefix Chrome focus scale Pressure Automatic Diaphragm	Soligor Miranda 50/1.9, compact lens Black anodized focus barrel; 6 digit serial number with K prefix Chrome focus scale Pressure Automatic Diaphragm
.Miranda D Miranda DR	Soligor Miranda 50/1.9, compact lens Black enamel focus barrel; 7 digit serial number with K prefix Chrome focus scale Pressure Automatic Diaphragm	Soligor Miranda 50/2.8 Chrome & black finish, black anodized paint to focussing ring; preset. Two slightly different versions. Standard on model D only.
.Automex I and II	Soligor Miranda 50/1.9, compact lens Bright chrome and black finish; black enamel focus barrel; internal diaphragm; external lever to connect to camera meter; M<=>A switch	(Note; these lenses with M-A switch were produced only for these early Automex models)
Automex III Sensorex	Soligor Miranda 50/1.9, compact lens Satin chrome and black finish, black finished focus barrel; internal diaphragm, external lever to connect to camera meter, stopdown lever	(Note; various name changes found for the same lens, e.g. "Auto Miranda". This lens is similar right through to the Sensorex II and compatible with all models in between.
Sensorex	AUTO MIRANDA 50/1.8 Satin chrome and black finish, black finished focus barrel; internal diaphragm, external lever to connect to camera meter, stopdown lever	AUTO MIRANDA 50/1.4 Satin chrome and black finish, black finished focus barrel; internal diaphragm, external lever to connect to camera meter, stopdown lever
Miranda F, G, Fv Sensomat	Soligor Miranda 50/1.9, compact lens Satin chrome and black finish, black finished focus barrel; internal diaphragm, stopdown lever (missing on some models)	(Note; various name changes found for the same lens, e.g. "AUTO MIRANDA". This lens is similar right through to the Sensomat RE and compatible with all models in between.
Sensomat RE Sensomat RS	AUTO MIRANDA 50/1.8 Satin chrome and black finish, black finished focus barrel; internal diaphragm, no stopdown lever AUTO MIRANDA 50/2.8 similar.	AUTO MIRANDA 50/1.4 Satin chrome and black finish, black finished focus barrel; internal diaphragm, no stopdown lever
Sensorex II	AUTO MIRANDA 50/1.8 Satin chrome and black finish, black finished focus barrel; internal diaphragm, external lever to connect to camera meter, stopdown lever, maximum aperture pin fitted	AUTO MIRANDA 50/1.4 Satin chrome and black finish, black finished focus barrel; internal diaphragm, external lever to connect to camera meter, stopdown lever, maximum aperture pin fitted	The f1.8 lens looks very similar to the Sensorex lens above. The f1.4 is different in the aperture ring style.
.Sensorex EE	AUTO MIRANDA E 50/1.8 f1.8 - f16 plus setting for shutter automatic models Metal focus ring, overall black finish Internal automatic diaphragm, aperture coupling, and maximum aperture pin	AUTO MIRANDA E 50/1.4 (similar to f1.8 lens)
Miranda EE-2, Miranda RE-II, Miranda dx-3	AUTO MIRANDA EC 50/1.8 f1.8 - f16 plus setting for shutter automatic models Rubber focus ring, overall black finish Internal automatic diaphragm, aperture coupling, and maximum aperture pin	AUTO MIRANDA EC 50/1.4 (similar to f1.8 lens)	photo courtesy dugwerks@aol.com
Miranda TM Soligor TM Pallas TM	AUTO MIRANDA TM AUTO SOLIGOR TM PALLAS AUTO TM 50/1.8 in M42 mount	AUTO MIRANDA TM 50/2.8

Oddballs:

Kowa Prominar 50/1.9 for early model C. Supplied under a separate contract to Miranda. Not common. Detailed cosmetic characteristics appear identical to the first of the Soligor marked "K" prefix lenses with a six figure serial number only.

photo courtesy dugwerks@aol.com

50_19_prom_side.jpg (30965 bytes)

Soligor 50/1.8 Preset lens. This was offered as an optional faster lens for the Model D by Mayfair Photographic in the UK about 1960. I haven't seen it advertised anywhere else. Fixed M44 mount, appears uncoated design.