LOMO x ZENIT NEW RUSSAR+ 20mm F5.6
A review of using the NEW RUSSAR+ 20mm f/5.6 (LOMO / Lomography version) and Original RUSSAR MR-2 with a Film and digital camera.
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Table of contents
Gallery
ギャラリー
The following cameras were used to take the example photos. Some of the example photos use the old RUSSAR MR-2 lens.
- HASSELBLAD X2D-100C（NEW RUSSAR+）
- LEICA M-P typ240（NEW RUSSAR+）
- Panasonic DMC-GM5（NEW RUSSAR+）
- LIECA M8（RUSSAR MR-2）
- HEXAR RF +FUJIFILM FORTIA50（RUSSAR MR-2）
Review
1．Overview
The LOMO x ZENIT NEW RUSSAR+ 20mm F5.6 is a reproduction of the Russian lens RUSSAR MR-2, released in 1958, commissioned by LOMO (Lomography) to the Russian company ZENIT in 2014.
The main specifications are as follows, and details are listed in the table.
- Maximum aperture: 5.6
- Lens construction: 6 elements in 4 groups
- Aperture blades: 7
- Minimum focusing distance: 0.5m
- Leica M rangefinder camera rangefinder not linked
- Hood: None
- Lens color variations: Silver
The Russar MR-2 20mm F5.6, imported from Russia and sold commercially outside the LOMO brand, is available in black and silver, and many of these lenses show signs of aging and wear. This lens appears to have had its barrel redesigned, and has a beautiful, lustrous silver color.
2．Usability
The appeal of the LOMO x ZENIT NEW RUSSAR+ 20mm F5.6 is its symmetrical lens construction, resulting in minimal distortion.
This lens is not linked to the rangefinder of Leica rangefinder cameras, so it must be used by eye. It can also be used with the electronic viewfinder of mirrorless cameras.
Also, when shooting with a digital camera, depending on the camera’s sensor, significant color casts can occur. This is particularly noticeable in blue skies and dimly lit scenes. This phenomenon is not noticeable in monochrome, so it can be avoided by shooting with a monochrome sensor or by processing the image in monochrome after shooting.
I would like to attach a filter to protect the powerful convex lens, but the disadvantage is that the aperture does not move when a filter is attached.
Unfortunately, the minimum shooting distance is 0.5m, the same as the previous version, but if you have a mirrorless camera, you can avoid this by using a mount adapter with an auxiliary helicoid.
When used with M4/3 (Micro Four Thirds) or APS-C sensors with small sensor sizes, the periphery is cropped, so the color cast problem is eliminated. Since the lens is compact, when attached to a small camera body, it looks like an old compact camera, which is very good as a snapshot camera.
The gallery shows the results of shooting with Micro Four Thirds and HASSELBALD X2D.
The HASSELBALD X2D, which has a large sensor size, does not have a sufficient image circle like the HOLOGON 16mm, but does not produce color cast. This is probably thanks to the new sensor. It’s a happy event that will increase the frequency of use of the lens.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the LOMO x ZENIT NEW RUSSAR+ 20mm F5.6 is a compact wide-angle lens with a lens length of 23mm.
Its strengths lie in minimal subject distortion due to its symmetrical lens construction. Its weaknesses include noticeable vignetting in captured images and, with digital cameras, a color cast along with the vignetting.
Specifications, considerations, etc.
A common drawback of symmetrical rangefinder lenses is vignetting with film cameras, and vignetting and color cast with digital cameras. Lenses with similar drawbacks include the CONTAX G HOLOGON 16mm, CONTAX G BIOGON 21mm, and LEICA Super Angulon M 21mm.
| Item | Value | note |
| focal length(mm) | 19.3 | |
| Maximum aperture | 5.6 | |
| Minimum aperture | 22 | |
| Lens configuration | 4groups 6elements | |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.5 | Not linked to camera rangefinder |
| Lens length(mm) | 23 | |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 53 | |
| Filter diameter(mm) | 49 | Aperture cannot be operated when filter is attached |
| Weight(g) | 112 | Lens + L-M mount adapter |
Reference links
Affiliate links
- Amazon Affiliate Link/ Keyword=Leica Lens
- Amazon Affiliate Link/ Keyword=Leica books
- Amazon Affiliate Link / Keyword=lomography lens
Update history
- 2025.9.8
- 2024.05.05
- 2023.01.05
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