Lens Serial Numbers

kalison · 06-21-2010, 12:30 AM

Is there a method to decode Pentax lens serial numbers? I did a search but never really came up with anything.

I know with my Canon lenses you could find out which factory location is was built at, as well as the month and year it was made.

Blue · 06-21-2010, 12:42 PM

They can be used 'roughly' with the Takumar lenses in conjunction with part # when present on A-M switches in addition to a few other features to distinguish estimates for the year of manufacture and determine the models of some lenses. Pentax didn't have that many factories so that part isn't as big of an issue. However, we are lucky if we can get it to year much less Month and day.

glasbak · 06-21-2010, 01:26 PM

I tried to make sense of their number by collecting them.
All I can say is that it looks that they decide to make a batch of a certain lens, and take a range unused numbers for these.
For instance, the M50/1.7 I see roughly 3 ranges :
25*..29*
32*..34*
72*..80*
Every higher numbered range, the finish is cheaper.

kalison · 06-25-2010, 02:03 PM

Interesting. Kind of a bummer. I always thought it was neat to know the "born on" date of your equipment.

06-21-2010, 12:30 AM	#1
kalison Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Utah Posts: 376	Lens Serial Numbers Is there a method to decode Pentax lens serial numbers? I did a search but never really came up with anything. I know with my Canon lenses you could find out which factory location is was built at, as well as the month and year it was made.

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06-21-2010, 12:42 PM	#2
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	They can be used 'roughly' with the Takumar lenses in conjunction with part # when present on A-M switches in addition to a few other features to distinguish estimates for the year of manufacture and determine the models of some lenses. Pentax didn't have that many factories so that part isn't as big of an issue. However, we are lucky if we can get it to year much less Month and day.

06-21-2010, 01:26 PM	#3
glasbak Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Netherlands Posts: 369	I tried to make sense of their number by collecting them. All I can say is that it looks that they decide to make a batch of a certain lens, and take a range unused numbers for these. For instance, the M50/1.7 I see roughly 3 ranges : 25..29 32..34 72..80 Every higher numbered range, the finish is cheaper.

06-25-2010, 02:03 PM	#4
kalison Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Utah Posts: 376 Original Poster	Interesting. Kind of a bummer. I always thought it was neat to know the "born on" date of your equipment.