lens manufacture date

Jool · 01-01-2013, 04:04 PM

I read a post that the motor failure issues were corrected for the Pentax 50-135 for lenses manufactured in 2012. I bought my lens in March of 2012 but it may have been sitting around at Amazon for a while. How can I find out the manufacture date of my lens? I can't find anything on this forum or Pentax Imaging. The post said 2012 but does anyone know when the redesign to correct the problem was actually put into practice (month,year)?

**jatrax** · 01-01-2013, 04:39 PM

I believe this is the quote that started the assumption that SDM issues have been corrected. It is from an interview at Photokina 2012.

Quote:

Q: Has this SDM quality control issue been resolved?

A: Yes. The components used in the 16-50mm and 50-135mm lenses have been redesiged, and all lenses produced in 2012 or later should no longer fail.

More Pentax news at: Pentax Engineer on SDM Failure and Pentax DC - Pentax Camera News & Rumors - PentaxForums.com

I'm not sure there is a way to tell when a particular lens was manufactured. You could check the lens serial number database: SMC Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com but I am not sure whether that will guarantee anything since you have no idea how long it was on the shelf.

MPrince · 01-01-2013, 04:52 PM

I read somewhere once (don't remember where) that Pentax serial numbers do not correlate to manufacture dates, but I don't know if that is true or not.

Adam · 01-01-2013, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by MPrince

I read somewhere once (don't remember where) that Pentax serial numbers do not correlate to manufacture dates, but I don't know if that is true or not.

Unfortunately you can't generalize the serial number trend for most items, but the serial database should give you a good idea of when your lens was made.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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01-01-2013, 04:04 PM	#1
Jool Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 119	lens manufacture date I read a post that the motor failure issues were corrected for the Pentax 50-135 for lenses manufactured in 2012. I bought my lens in March of 2012 but it may have been sitting around at Amazon for a while. How can I find out the manufacture date of my lens? I can't find anything on this forum or Pentax Imaging. The post said 2012 but does anyone know when the redesign to correct the problem was actually put into practice (month,year)?

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01-01-2013, 04:39 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I believe this is the quote that started the assumption that SDM issues have been corrected. It is from an interview at Photokina 2012. Quote: Q: Has this SDM quality control issue been resolved? A: Yes. The components used in the 16-50mm and 50-135mm lenses have been redesiged, and all lenses produced in 2012 or later should no longer fail. More Pentax news at: Pentax Engineer on SDM Failure and Pentax DC - Pentax Camera News & Rumors - PentaxForums.com I'm not sure there is a way to tell when a particular lens was manufactured. You could check the lens serial number database: SMC Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com but I am not sure whether that will guarantee anything since you have no idea how long it was on the shelf.

01-01-2013, 04:52 PM	#3
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	I read somewhere once (don't remember where) that Pentax serial numbers do not correlate to manufacture dates, but I don't know if that is true or not.

01-01-2013, 06:59 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by MPrince I read somewhere once (don't remember where) that Pentax serial numbers do not correlate to manufacture dates, but I don't know if that is true or not. Unfortunately you can't generalize the serial number trend for most items, but the serial database should give you a good idea of when your lens was made. 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: