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robjmitchell · 10-31-2014, 05:48 PM

I'm planning on purchasing the 50-135 followed probably by the 16-50 for shooting weddings.
Just wondering if anyone has received a copy in a ricoh branded box since it would possibly indicate a new production run with the upgraded SDM motor.
If they are all still in pentax/hoya boxes then I would be tempted to wait a bit longer an see if a HD 16-50 comes out, more so for the improvement you might see on flare/CA.
Better yet a pentax FF and 24-70/2.8.

Not worried about the increased cost either.

Adam · 10-31-2014, 05:51 PM

FWIW I don't think Ricoh has changed any of the box designs for older lenses.

robjmitchell · 10-31-2014, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by Adam

FWIW I don't think Ricoh has changed any of the box designs for older lenses.

I'm tipping they're sensible and are not going to bother reprinting if they have an existing stockpile of boxes. However Just in time manufacturing (which the Japanese are all over) would mean you match the printed boxes to the production run of lenses. Therefor I would expect Ricoh labelling on any new production runs. If tooling up your production line is more costly than storage then you make big batches, so we may be working through pre ricoh stock especially on the lower volume items. The 560 was the first HD lens was it not?

rrstuff · 10-31-2014, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by robjmitchell

I'm tipping they're sensible and are not going to bother reprinting if they have an existing stockpile of boxes. However Just in time manufacturing (which the Japanese are all over) would mean you match the printed boxes to the production run of lenses. Therefor I would expect Ricoh labelling on any new production runs. If tooling up your production line is more costly than storage then you make big batches, so we may be working through pre ricoh stock especially on the lower volume items. The 560 was the first HD lens was it not?

You can infer this information from a serial number and then return it if it is too early number. Wouldn't that be a more reliable way to assess when the lens was produced?

ultraviolet · 10-31-2014, 06:54 PM

It's not a lens but my Pentax O-ME53 came in this box

robjmitchell · 10-31-2014, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by rrstuff

You can infer this information from a serial number and then return it if it is too early number. Wouldn't that be a more reliable way to assess when the lens was produced?

Yes, but it wont help me speculate on future production of a HD replacement

VisualDarkness · 10-31-2014, 07:56 PM

Oh no, still the ugly grey boxes, brutally ugly.

DeadJohn · 10-31-2014, 09:50 PM

Originally posted by rrstuff

You can infer this information from a serial number and then return it if it is too early number. Wouldn't that be a more reliable way to assess when the lens was produced?

Serial numbers have been discussed before. My recollection is they seem to be partially randomized rather than sequential, but I haven't seen conclusive proof either way.

Rudy · 11-01-2014, 02:44 AM

1 year ago i purchased the 16-50 and the 300. the boxes were black, pentax on red. only difference was that the 16-50 had its manual printed by hoya and the 300 printed by Ricoh. since then my 16-50 had an accident and since it was in service the SDM was replaced anyway so i know it has the latest motor now. This year i bought the FA 100 macro WR from Japan and it came in still black box, Pentax in blue and white but now below Pentax it reads "a Ricoh company".

robjmitchell · 11-01-2014, 04:18 PM

Thanks for you replies folks! I shall purchase the 50-135 and see what box it comes in myself

10-31-2014, 05:48 PM	#1
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	*Anyone received a DA 16-50 or 50-135 in a Ricoh box.** I'm planning on purchasing the 50-135 followed probably by the 16-50 for shooting weddings. Just wondering if anyone has received a copy in a ricoh branded box since it would possibly indicate a new production run with the upgraded SDM motor. If they are all still in pentax/hoya boxes then I would be tempted to wait a bit longer an see if a HD 16-50 comes out, more so for the improvement you might see on flare/CA. Better yet a pentax FF and 24-70/2.8. Not worried about the increased cost either.

10-31-2014, 05:51 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	FWIW I don't think Ricoh has changed any of the box designs for older lenses. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

10-31-2014, 06:54 PM	#5
ultraviolet Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 687	It's not a lens but my Pentax O-ME53 came in this box Last edited by ultraviolet; 03-26-2017 at 09:15 PM.

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10-31-2014, 06:05 PM	#3
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam FWIW I don't think Ricoh has changed any of the box designs for older lenses. I'm tipping they're sensible and are not going to bother reprinting if they have an existing stockpile of boxes. However Just in time manufacturing (which the Japanese are all over) would mean you match the printed boxes to the production run of lenses. Therefor I would expect Ricoh labelling on any new production runs. If tooling up your production line is more costly than storage then you make big batches, so we may be working through pre ricoh stock especially on the lower volume items. The 560 was the first HD lens was it not?

10-31-2014, 06:48 PM	#4
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	Originally posted by robjmitchell I'm tipping they're sensible and are not going to bother reprinting if they have an existing stockpile of boxes. However Just in time manufacturing (which the Japanese are all over) would mean you match the printed boxes to the production run of lenses. Therefor I would expect Ricoh labelling on any new production runs. If tooling up your production line is more costly than storage then you make big batches, so we may be working through pre ricoh stock especially on the lower volume items. The 560 was the first HD lens was it not? You can infer this information from a serial number and then return it if it is too early number. Wouldn't that be a more reliable way to assess when the lens was produced?

10-31-2014, 07:37 PM	#6
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776 Original Poster	Originally posted by rrstuff You can infer this information from a serial number and then return it if it is too early number. Wouldn't that be a more reliable way to assess when the lens was produced? Yes, but it wont help me speculate on future production of a HD replacement

10-31-2014, 07:56 PM	#7
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Oh no, still the ugly grey boxes, brutally ugly.

10-31-2014, 09:50 PM	#8
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Originally posted by rrstuff You can infer this information from a serial number and then return it if it is too early number. Wouldn't that be a more reliable way to assess when the lens was produced? Serial numbers have been discussed before. My recollection is they seem to be partially randomized rather than sequential, but I haven't seen conclusive proof either way.

11-01-2014, 02:44 AM	#9
Rudy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 109	1 year ago i purchased the 16-50 and the 300. the boxes were black, pentax on red. only difference was that the 16-50 had its manual printed by hoya and the 300 printed by Ricoh. since then my 16-50 had an accident and since it was in service the SDM was replaced anyway so i know it has the latest motor now. This year i bought the FA 100 macro WR from Japan and it came in still black box, Pentax in blue and white but now below Pentax it reads "a Ricoh company".

11-01-2014, 04:18 PM	#10
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776 Original Poster	Thanks for you replies folks! I shall purchase the 50-135 and see what box it comes in myself

Anyone received a DA* 16-50 or 50-135 in a Ricoh box.

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