Miranda lenses

Pekka Buttler (March 2026)

Introduction

In searching for sources on Miranda lenses (and cameras), I’ve noticed that a lot of the data to be found online is incomplete, often incorrect and repeated ad nauseam. Hence, it felt like a worthwhile contribution to put together a compendium of Miranda lenses.

This compendium focuses on lenses for Miranda cameras that had ‘Miranda’ in the name (it does not cover post-1976 Cosina lenses sold by UK photo retailer Dixon’s under the Miranda brand (see more about that episode here) nor lenses by other manufacturers for the Miranda mount (unless the lens’ name contains ‘Miranda’).

P.S. Miranda was a camera manufacturer and not a lens manufacturer. Lenses branded as “Miranda” were not manufactured by Miranda, but were sourced from other manufacturers and branded ‘Miranda’. Most often these lenses were sourced from Miranda’s long-time partner (and later: owner) Soligor (Allied Impex Corporation). Hence, the actual manufacturer of “Miranda” lenses is often impossible to discern with certainty.

Miranda lens generations

To clarify the compendium below, I’ve grouped Miranda lenses into the following families:

M/P
Manual and preset lenses. The earliest lenses for the Miranda system were introduced as early as 1955 and either were fully manual lenses or preset lenses. Even later Miranda kept offering some preset lenses.

PAD
PAD stands for “Pressure-Activated Diaphragm”. These were lenses that had “pods” that rested above the Miranda camera’s front-facing shutter button. To take a picture you would press a button at the front of the pod, this would stop down the lens before (in turn) pressing the shutter button.

MEX-REX
In 1960 Miranda introduced the Miranda Automex. This camera offered two state of the art features: Auto Aperture and Aperture communication (for metering purposes).
• Auto aperture: The Automex had a lever (within the mount) that would stop down a compatible lens for the shot and allow the aperture back up again after the shot.
• Aperture communication: The Automex camera (and compatible lenses) had an external aperture communication arm that would allow the lens to tell the body the selected aperture.
The 1960 Automex was followed by versions II and III and was replaced in 1966 by the Sensorex (which used the same lenses). The Sensorex was followed by the Sensorex-C and Sensorex II.
These lenses are often referred to as “For Sensorex” lenses.

F-G-MAT
The 1963 Miranda F was intended as the more affordable alternative to the Automex line and while it used the same method for facilitating Auto aperture as the MEX-REX series of lenses it did not make use of the MEX-REX lenses’ ability to communicate aperture information. Hence, Miranda gradually started offering a separate series of lenses for the Miranda F and its successors: the FM, Fv, G and the Sensomat series.
These lenses are often referred to as “For Sensomat” lenses.

E
In 1972 Miranda introduced the Auto Sensorex EE camera that did introduced a new method for the lens to communicate the selected aperture to the camera, using a second lever inside the mount. Miranda called these lenses the “E” lenses, hence so do we.

EC¹
In 1974 Miranda decided to redesign its lens lineup, aiming for overall more compact lenses. In terms of abilities EC lenses are E lenses.

DUAL
In tandem with the introduction of EC lenses, Miranda also discontinued the MEX-REX and F-G-MAT lineup of lenses (that had been left in the lineup for compatibility) and instead introduced a lineup of lenses referred to as the “Auto Dual” lenses. Some of these lenses were earlier Miranda “E” lenses whereas other lenses were from Soligor’s lens arsenal. All of these lenses could be ordered in accordance to F-G-MAT spec and most could also be ordered fitted with an external aperture coupling arm (for compatibility with the MEX-REX -line).

Generation	Years	Auto-aperture	Aperture communication	For cameras	Compatible cameras	Notes
M/P	1955–64	None	None	T, T-II, A, B, ST, S, C, D, DR	All but Sensomat TM2	3
PAD	1957–64	With PAD	None	T, T-II, A, B, ST, S, C, D, DR	All with front shutter button4	5
MEX-REX	1960-72(74)	Lever in mount	External aperture coupling arm	Automex, Automex II, Automex III, Sensorex, Sensorex-C, Sensorex II	All with stop-down lever in mount6	7
F-G-MAT	1963-72(74)	Lever in mount	None	F, FM, Fv, FvT, G, GT, Sensomat, Sensomat RE, Sensomat RS,	All with stop-down lever in mount	8
E	1972-74(76)	Lever in mount	Lever in mount	Auto Sensorex EE, dx-3, RE-II, EE-2	All with stop-down lever in mount	9
EC	1974-76	Lever in mount	Lever in mount	Auto Sensorex EE, dx-3, RE-II, EE-2	All with stop-down lever in mount
DUAL	1974-76	Lever in mount	None, or external aperture coupling arm	As MEX-REX (with external arm) or as F-G-MAT (when no external arm)	See above.	10

Miranda lens compendium

All data based on Miranda documentation (except underlined numbers are based on measured samples)

17–27 mm

Mainline spec	Years	Generation	Recipe	MFD	Filter	Length	Diameter	Weight	Notes
17 mm f/4	1974–76	DUAL	11e / 10g	0,3 m	72mm	89 mm	unknown	450 g	11
21 mm f/3.8	1974–76	DUAL	9e / 8g	0,25 m	72mm	57 mm	unknown	285 g	12
25 mm f/2.813	1970–1974	MEX-REX	8e / 7g	0,25m	52mm	57 mm	59 mm	274 g	[data sheet]
25 mm f/2.8	1970–1974	F-G-MAT	8e / 7g	0,25 m	52mm	60mm	59 mm	300 g
25 mm f/2.8	1972–1976	E	8e / 7g	0,25 m	52mm	60 mm	59 mm	300 g
25 mm f/2.8	1974–76	DUAL	8e / 7g	0,25 m	52mm	57 mm	unknown	300 g

28 mm

Mainline spec	Years	Generation	Recipe	MFD	Filter	Length	Diameter	Weight	Notes
28 mm f/2.8	1960–63	unknown	8e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	14
28 mm f/2.8	1963–74	F-G-MAT	8e / 6g	0,25 m	46 mm	58 mm	59 mm	230 g
28 mm f/2.8	1963–74	MEX-REX	8e / 6g	0,25 m	46 mm	60 mm	59 mm	232 g
28 mm f/2.8	1972–74	E	8e / 6g	0,25 m	52 mm	54 mm	59 mm	273 g
28 mm f/2.8	1974–76	EC	7e / 7g	0,25 m	49 mm	40 mm	60 mm	205 g	[data sheet]
28 mm f/2.8	1974–76	Dual	8e / 6g	0,25 m	52 mm	53 mm	59 mm	219 g	[data sheet]

35 mm

Mainline spec	Years	Generation	Recipe	MFD	Filter	Length	Diameter	Weight	Notes
35 mm f/3.5	1960–64	M/P	6e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	15
35 mm f/2.8	1960–64	unknown	7e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	16
35 mm f/2.8	1963–74	F-G-MAT	6e / 5g	0,3 m	46 mm	48 mm	58 mm	198 g
35 mm f/2.8	1966–74	MEX-REX	6e /5g	0,3 m	46 mm	48 mm	59 mm	222 g
35 mm f/2.8	1972–74	E	6e /5g	0,3 m	52 mm	49 mm	58 mm	222 g
35 mm f/2.8	1974–76	EC	6e /6g	0,3 m	49 mm	40 mm	60 mm	192 g	[data sheet]
35 mm f/2.8	1974–76	DUAL	6e /5g	0,3 m	52 mm	65 mm	unknown	222 g

50 mm

Mainline spec	Years	Generation	Recipe	MFD	Filter	Length	Diameter	Weight	Notes
50 mm f/2.8	1955–63	M/P	5e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	17
50 mm f/1.9	1959–60	PAD	unknown	0,45 m	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	18
50 mm f/1.9	unknown	PAD	6e / 4g	0,45 m	46 mm	unknown	unknown	unknown	19
50 mm f/1.9	1960–63	MEX-REX	6e / 4g	0,43 m	46 mm	42 mm	58 mm	unknown	Soligor Miranda 20
50 mm f/1.9	1964–70	MEX-REX	6e / 4g	0,43 m	46 mm	42 mm	58 mm	unknown
50 mm f/1.9	1963–68	F-G-MAT	6e / 4g	0,43 m	46 mm	42 mm	58 mm	193 g	[data sheet]
50 mm f/1.8	1970–74	MEX-REX	6e / 4g	0,43 m	46 mm	47 mm	59 mm	235 g	21
50 mm f/1.8	1968–74	F-G-MAT	6e / 4g	0,43 m	46 mm	42 mm	59 mm	203 g	[data sheet]
50 mm f/1.8	1972–74	E	6e / 4g	0,43 m	52 mm	47 mm	59 mm	235 g
50 mm f/1.8	1974–76	EC	6e / 4g	0,43 m	49 mm	43 mm	60 mm	218 g	[data sheet]
50 mm f/1.8	1974–76	DUAL	6e / 4g	0,43 m	52 mm	51 mm	unknown	226 g
50 mm f/1.4	1966–72	MEX-REX	8e / 6g	0,43 m	46 mm	unknown22	unknown	unknown
50 mm f/1.4	1968–74	F-G-MAT	8e / 6g	0,43 m	46 mm	51 mm	60 mm	301 g	[data sheet]
50 mm f/1.4	1972–74	MEX-REX	7e / 5g	0,43 m	52 mm	55 mm	63 mm	345 g	23
50 mm f/1.4	1972–74	E	7e / 5g	0,43 m	52 mm	55 mm	63 mm	345 g
50 mm f/1.4	1974–76	EC	7e / 5g	0,43 m	49 mm	45 mm	61 mm	278 g	[data sheet]
50 mm f/1.4	1974–76	DUAL	7e / 5g	0,43 m	52 mm	55 mm	63 mm	345 g

Please note: Especially in the early days of the Miranda system a lot of interesting (and often rare) lenses were offered that did not feature the name ‘Miranda’, including:
• Arco 50 mm f/2.4 (44 mm thread mount, preset lens)
• Zunow 50 mm f/1.9 (44 mm thread mount, preset lens)
• Ofunar 50 mm f/1.9 (44 mm thread mount, preset lens)

58–85 mm

Mainline spec	Years	Generation	Recipe	MFD	Filter	Length	Diameter	Weight	Notes
58 mm f/2	1957	PAD	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown
58 mm f/1.5	1960	PAD	7e / 5g	0,45 m	unknown	unknown	unknown	417 g	Soligor Miranda24
85 mm f/1.8	1960	MEX-REX	6 e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	25

105 mm

Mainline spec	Years	Generation	Recipe	MFD	Filter	Length	Diameter	Weight	Notes
105 mm f/2.8	1956	M/P	4 e / 4g	1,07 m	unknown	unknown	unknown	450 g	Orion / Miranda Supreme26
105 mm f/2.8	1960–68	Unknown	5 e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	27
105 mm f/2.8	1963–66	MEX-REX	6e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	28
105 mm f/2.8	1966–74	MEX-REX	5e / 5g	1,2 m	46 mm	69 mm	59 mm	340 g
105 mm f/2.8	1968–74	F-G-MAT	5e / 5g	1,2 m	46 mm	69 mm	59 mm	335 g
105 mm f/2.8	1972–74	E	5e / 5g	1,2 m	52 mm	69 mm	59 mm	340 g
105 mm f/2.8	1974–76	EC	5e / 5g	1,2 m	49 mm	64 mm	unknown	315 g
105 mm f/2.8	1974–76	DUAL	5e / 5g	1,2 m	52 mm	69 mm	unknown	340 g

135 mm

Mainline spec	Years	Generation	Recipe	MFD	Filter	Length	Diameter	Weight	Notes
135 mm f/3.5	1959	M/P	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	29
135 mm f/3.5	1960–64	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	30
135 mm f/3.5	1960–64	M/P	5 e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	31
135 mm f/3.5	1960–64	unknown	6 e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	32
135 mm f/3.5	1963–68	F-G-MAT	4e / 3g	1,5 m	46 mm	95 mm	58 mm	411 g
135 mm f/3.5	1968–1972	F-G-MAT	4e / 3g	1,5 m	46 mm	94 mm	60 mm	410 g
135 mm f/3.5	1966–74	MEX-REX	4e / 3g	1,5 m	46 mm	96 mm	60 mm	435 g
135 mm f/3.5	1972–76	E	4e / 3g	1,5 m	52 mm	95 mm	60 mm	435 g
135 mm f/3.5	1974–76	DUAL	4e / 3g	1,5 m	52 mm	95 mm	unknown	400 g
135 mm f/2.8	1960–64	unknown	6e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	33
135 mm f/2.8	1960–64	M/P	5e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	34
135 mm f/2.8	1963–68	F-G-MAT	5e / 5g	1,7 m	55 mm	95 mm	63 mm	492 g
135 mm f/2.8	1968–74	F-G-MAT	5e / 5g	1,7 m	55 mm	94 mm	67 mm	480 g
135 mm f/2.8	1960–66	MEX-REX	6e	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	35
135 mm f/2.8	1966–74	MEX-REX	5e / 5g	1,5 m	55 mm	95 mm	65 mm	500 g
135 mm f/2.8	1972–74	E	5e / 5g	1,5 m	58 mm	95 mm	65 mm	500 g
135 mm f/2.8	1974–76	EC	5e / 4g	1,5 m	55 mm	85 mm	62 mm	356 g	[data sheet]
135 mm f/2.8	1974–76	DUAL	5e / 5g	1,5 m	55 mm	95 mm	unknown	500 g

180–200 mm

Mainline spec	Years	Generation	Recipe	MFD	Filter	Length	Diameter	Weight	Notes
180 mm f/3.5	1972–76	MEX-REX	4e / 4g	2,3 m	58 mm	143 mm	69 mm	728 g
180 mm f/3.5	1972–76	E	4e / 4g	2,3 m	58 mm	143 mm	69 mm	728 g
180 mm f/3.5	1974–76	DUAL	4e / 4g	2,3 m	58 mm	143 mm	69 mm	728 g	36
200 mm f/3.5	1970–74	F-G-MAT	6e / 5g	3 m	67 mm	158 mm	75 mm	770 g
200 mm f/3.5	1972–74	MEX-REX	6e / 5g	3 m	62 mm	150 mm	70 mm	760 g
200 mm f/3.5	1972–74	E	6e / 5g	3 m	62 mm	150 mm	70 mm	760 g
200 mm f/3.5	1974–76	EC	6e / 5g	2,5 m	62 mm	117 mm	unknown	650 g
200 mm f/3.5	1974–76	DUAL(MEX-REX)	5e/ 4g	3 m	62 mm	121 mm	unknown	620 g
200 mm f/3.5	1974–76	DUAL(F-G-MAT)	5e/ 4g	3 m	62 mm	159 mm	unknown	770 g

over 200 mm

Mainline spec	Years	Generation	Recipe	MFD	Filter	Length	Diameter	Weight	Notes
250 mm f/4.5	1960–64	M/P	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	37
300 mm f/5.6	1974–76	DUAL	5e / 3g	6 m	62 mm	168 mm	unknown	860 g	38
400 mm f/5.5	1960–64	M/P	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	unknown	39

Zooms

Mainline spec	Years	Generation	Recipe	MFD	Filter	Length	Diameter	Weight	Notes
80–200 mm f/3.5	1974–76	EC	12e / 8g	2 m	62 mm	183 mm	unknown	910 g	40
90–230 mm f/4.5	1974–76	DUAL	11e / 7g	2,5 m	58 mm	210 mm	unknown	960 g	41

Macro lenses

Mainline spec	Years	Generation	Recipe	MFD	Filter	Length	Diameter	Weight	Notes
52 mm f/2.8 Macron	1972–1976	MEX-REX	6e / 4g	0,2 m	58 mm	61 mm	64 mm	260 g
52 mm f/2.8 Macron	1972–74	E	6e / 4g	0,2 m	58 mm	61 mm	64 mm	260 g
55 mm f/3.5 Macron	1974–76	EC	4e / 3g	0,25 m	49 mm	51 mm	unknown	220 g
55 mm f/3.5 Macro	1974–76	DUAL	4e / 3g	6 cm42	58 mm	63 mm	unknown	400 g	43
135 mm f/3.5 for bellows	1974–76	DUAL	4e / 3g	N/A	49 mm	57 mm	unknown	170 g	44

Footnotes

1. Besides these compact lenses marked with a red EC on their name ring, there are also some rare examples of these same lenses (mid-70s), compact design with rubber focus rings, but not marked with red EC, but with green ED. These lenses also lack the second (aperture communication) lever in the mount but instead have the external communication arm (as in MEX-REX lenses). As a result they have the same compatibility as MEX-REX lenses in general. ↩︎
2. The Sensomat TM was based on the Sensomat RE, but used an M42 lens mount. ↩︎
3. Final mention of manual and preset lenses is in the manual of the 1964 Automex III. ↩︎
4. Compatible with all Miranda cameras except: Sensomat RS, Sensomat TM, Autorex EE, EE-2 and RE-II ↩︎
5. It seems that (unlike e.g. Exakta), typically only standard primes were offered with the Miranda PAD. Final mention of PAD lenses is in the manual of the 1964 Automex III. ↩︎
6. All Miranda cameras except: T, T-II, A, B, ST, S, C, D, DR ↩︎
7. MEX-REX lenses were replaced by the E-lenses in 1972 but remained available (for compatibility) until introduction of the Dual lenses in 1974. ↩︎
8. F-G-MAT lenses were replaced by the E-lenses in 1972 but remained available (for compatibility) until introduction of the Dual lenses in 1974. ↩︎
9. Some E-lenses were not made in EC -versions and remained available until bankrupcy. ↩︎
10. Dual lenses were only available through licensed dealers and are likely quite rare. ↩︎
11. This lens was originally manufactured by Norita Kogaku and was subsequently also sold as the Miranda 17/4 and the Ricoh Rikenon 17/4. This lens was not available with external aperture coupling arm for Automex&Sensorex ↩︎
12. This lens was also sold as the Soligor 21/3.8 and the serial number there indicates that the original manufacturer was Tokina. This lens was not available with external aperture coupling arm for Automex&Sensorex ↩︎
13. The precise origins for the Miranda 25/2.8 designs is unclear. Soligor did at one time offer a 25/2.8 lens, but that was a preset lens with considerably different optical recipe. ↩︎
14. Mentioned as a ‘fully automatic’ 8 element 28/2.8 in the 1960 Automex manual. Might be a ‘Soligor-Miranda’ lens ↩︎
15. Mentioned as a preset 6 element lens in many manuals between 1960 and 1964. Might be a ‘Soligor-Miranda’ lens. ↩︎
16. Mentioned as a ‘fully automatic’ 7 element 35/2.8 in many manuals between 1960 and 1964. Might be a ‘Soligor-Miranda’ lens. ↩︎
17. Preset 5 element 50/2.8 lens. Many were sold as ‘Soligor-Miranda’ lenses. 44 mm thread (not bayonet) ↩︎
18. Sold already with the Miranda B. All-silver design ↩︎
19. Mentioned in the Manuals for the Miranda C and D. silver and black design. Some samples sold as “Miranda” others as “Kowa Prominar-Miranda”. ↩︎
20. Mentioned in the Automex (I-II) manuals explicitly as a Soligor Miranda lens. ↩︎
21. It is possible that the 50/1.8 for the Automex/Sensorex family would have been introduced in 1966 with the Sensorex or in 1968 after the same lens was available for the (lower-end) Sensomat. However the first documented mention of the 50/1.8 for Sensorex is in the manual of the 1970 Sensorex-C. ↩︎
22. Measurements likely very similar as parallel version for F, G and Sensomat below. ↩︎
23. Seems that this lens (mentioned first in the manual for the 1972 Sensorex II) was a precursor of the E-series lenses to come. ↩︎
24. Mentioned without details in the 1960 Automex Manual. Details mentioned here sourced from here ↩︎
25. Mentioned in the 1960 Automex Manual. One source mentions two years of production. Clearly very rare. ↩︎
26. Available both as a bellows lens and with focusing helicoid. ↩︎
27. Mentioned in several manuals during 1960–64 as “General Purpose Telephoto 5 element construction” ↩︎
28. 1963 Automex II manual mentions a 105/2.8 6 element Automex lens. ↩︎
29. Mentioned in 1959 Miranda C manual as “Soligor Miranda Telephoto lens” ↩︎
30. Mentioned in several early 1960s manuals as “short barrel telephoto” (with no other details). Might indicate lens that lacks focusing helicoid and should be used with bellows. ↩︎
31. Mentioned in several early 1960s manuals as “Preset 5 element true telephoto” (with no other details) ↩︎
32. Mentioned in several early 1960s manuals as “Telephoto automatic 6 element true telephoto” (with no other details) ↩︎
33. Mentioned in several early 1960s manuals as “Telephoto Automatic 6 element true telephoto” (with no other details) ↩︎
34. Mentioned in several early 1960s manuals as “Preset 5 element telephoto” (with no other details) ↩︎
35. Mentioned in several early 1960s manuals as “135 mm f:2.8 High Speed True Telephoto 6-element construction” (with no other details) ↩︎
36. Not available with external aperture coupling arm for Automex&Sensorex ↩︎
37. Mentioned in several early 1960s manuals as “Telephoto Preset with tripod socket at center of gravity”(with no other details). ↩︎
38. Soligor sold this same lens as the Soligor 300/5.6. The serial number reveals that the original manufacturer was Tokina. ↩︎
39. Mentioned in several early 1960s manuals as “Preset in delux case with orienting tripod socket at center of gravity and filter slot and holder with deluxe leather case” ↩︎
40. Soligor used to sell a lens with the same specs (and same general design) in the early 70s. Those serial numbers indicate that Sun Optical was the original manufacturer. ↩︎
41. Soligor sold this same lens under its own brand and there the serial number would indicate that the lens was manufactured by Tokina. ↩︎
42. Indicates working distance. ↩︎
43. Not available with external aperture coupling arm for Automex&Sensorex ↩︎
44. For use with bellows. Lacks focusing helicoid. ↩︎