Lens test: IronGlass MKI Soviet Rehoused Set

The IronGlass MKI Soviet Rehoused lens set offers a blend of vintage character and modern usability. Our set includes the 20mm, 37mm, 58mm, and 85mm lenses, each built around the original Soviet glass but re-engineered in a cine-style MKI housing by the team at IronGlass. Their is a big reason, the same optical designs have been used on major productions such as Dune: Part Two and Batman (shot by Greig Fraser, ASC, ACS), highlighting the timeless appeal of this classic glass.

Design and Build

The MKI housing was the first-generation design by IronGlass. It features 0.8 pitch gears on both focus and iris rings and a 270-degree focus throw with hard stops. The lenses share a 95mm front diameter and a 92mm filter thread, allowing for use with standard accessories. We strongly advise using matte boxes mounted on rods only, as clip-on matte boxes can stress the MKI housing. The order of the aperture and focus rings differs from the newer MKII design, which is worth noting when setting up follow focus systems.

Optical Characteristics

Each focal length carries its own personality. The lenses were not designed as a perfectly uniform set but as a collection of expressive tools, each contributing a different visual quality.

- 20mm (Mir-20M): Strong central sharpness with softer corners and noticeable vignetting
- 37mm (Mir-1B): Warm rendering with gentle flare and smooth falloff
- 58mm (Helios 44-2): Signature swirly bokeh, moderate center sharpness, and pronounced flare in direct light
- 85mm (Jupiter-9): Smooth mid-contrast, warm skin tones, and rounded bokeh from the 15-blade aperture

The varying sharpness, flare, and chromatic aberration across lenses contributes to their analog charm. The 20mm and 37mm exhibit minor chromatic aberration in high-contrast edges, while longer focal lengths control fringing better.

Flaring

These lenses are prone to flare, especially in backlit or high-contrast conditions. The 20mm and 58mm show the most pronounced bloom, while the 37mm and 85mm produce softer flares that enhance the vintage aesthetic. Matteboxes (on rodes!) with flags and careful framing can help control flare when needed.

Final thoughts

The IronGlass MKI Soviet Rehoused set is ideal for filmmakers who value character over clinical precision. Their tactile images, subtle inconsistencies, and vintage aesthetic make them compelling for narrative, music video, or commercial projects that benefit from texture and warmth.

The full set is available for testing in our prep space.