Today Lomography announced their new 20mm f/5.6 RUSSAR+ ART lens for L39 and M mounts. This lens is a rebirth of the legendary 1958 Russar MR-2, the mother of all modern non-SLR super wide-angle lenses. The lens is designed by Lomography and manufactured in Russia by Zenit. The Russar+ is compatible with all L39/M mount analogue and digital cameras. The lens is made from brass and is chrome-plated.
You can now pre-order the RUSSAR+ for $649.00 at lomography.com. Additional information after the break.
Video presentation:
Technical specifications:
- Focal length: 20mm
- Aperture: f/5.6 – f/22
- Minimum image circle: 44mm
- Field of view: 94 degree
- Flange distance: 27.8mm (M mount)
- M mount frame line triggering: 28mm
- Closest focusing distance: 0.5m
- Filter thread requirement: 49mm
- Distortion: ~ 0.09 percent
Analogue sample images:
Digital sample images:
Press release:
A rebirth of the legendary 1958 Russar MR-2 – The mother of all modern non-SLR super-wide-angle lenses.
Celebrating a ground-breaking optical design: The New Russar+ is a rebirth of the Russar MR-2 lens, which was masterminded by and named after M. M. Rusinov, the father of all modern super-wide-angle lens design. Due to its fantastic optics, near-perfect distortion control and illumination, the Russar+ offers stronger technical performance than comparable lenses on the market.
Real Russian Character from a Wide-angle Wonder: The Russar+ has high-quality Russian optics for sharp photos full of warm, vibrant colors, vignettes and bursting with unique character. With a 20mm focal length, the Russar+ is perfect for street photography, architectural shots and landscapes.
Updated Features & Compatibility Galore: With its modified lens tube construction and multicoated finish, the Russar+ is compatible with all L39/M mount analogue cameras and digital mirrorless cameras and tons of other cameras using adapter mounts! Crafted from brass and chrome-plated, it has near-perfect distortion control, great illumination and a beautiful, compact lens design.
Designed by Lomography and manufactured in Russia by Zenit, the Russar+ (L39/M mount) is a brand new super-wide-angle lens and a pioneering update on the 1958 Russar MR-2. The original Russar MR-2 was a truly groundbreaking super-wide-angle lens; it was the masterpiece of and named after Mikhail Mikhailovich Rusinov, once the Chief Optical Engineer at Zenit, who devised its fantastic optical scheme. This innovative and revolutionary optical system allowed for brighter wide-angle photos by utilizing aberrational vignetting in the corners for more illumination across the whole image. It was patented in 1946 and laid the foundations from which super-wide-angle lenses have since been designed.
The New Russar+ celebrates this pioneering tradition of the original Russar MR-2 and also incorporates significant design improvements. Years of high quality optical engineering experience at Zenit and the innovative design updates from Lomography have resulted in a lens which is a wonderful hybrid of old and new. The original Russar was made out of aluminum whereas the New Russar+ is handcrafted out of brass; this makes the Russar+ more rigid and durable. This glorious reinvented lens has a brilliant, compact design and is also multicoated to reduce flare and surface reflection. Plus the Russar+ has a modified lens tube construction to make it compatible with a whole host of different digital and analogue cameras.
The New Russar+ is the perfect wide angle lens for sharp shots bursting with the unique quality that only a lens manufactured using the finest Russian optics can bring. This is the special character of Russian optics which Lomographers first discovered when they started shooting with the legendary LC-A over 20 years ago! Each Russar+ Lens is produced using handcraftsmanship, love and wonderful Russian glass.
With its ultra-wide 20mm focal length, the Russar+ allows you to capture the beauty of the world from stunning perspectives; it’s perfect for street shooting, landscapes and architectural photos, as well as those up-close-and-personal portrait shots. Take it to your favorite mountain escape, a bustling city street, an idyllic and isolated beach or with a gang of friends in a cramped car – wherever you journey to with the Russar+ by your side, it’s certain you’ll shoot photos that are sweeping, majestic and filled with a truly authentic and unique personality!
Part of the special optical character of the Russar+ comes from its manual functionality. Shooting with the New Russar+ lens is an intimate and creative experience which encourages the photographer to enjoy every moment; from turning the focusing wheel and manually setting your aperture, to the instant you click down on the camera shutter, the entire process of photography becomes more magical and special.
Pre-orders for this wonderful new Art lens are on a first come first serve basis; it is currently planned that pre-ordered lenses will be delivered in July 2014.
