Pentax-M SMC F/1.4 different versions?

jcphoto · 09-08-2014, 09:30 PM

Hi all,

I tried googling my question and came back with nothing.

I'm using a Pentax-M SMC f/1.4 lens and bought another for $30 (Along with another k1000) and this new one has "Lens made in Japan" stamped on the barrel.

Are there 2 versions of these lens? or is one of mine a copy?

Would anyone know anything about this?

Thanks,
J.

Attached Images

**sergysergy** · 09-09-2014, 12:03 AM

Some lenses are known for having different models / versions, but I do not think that's the case for the M 50 14:

SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.4 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

I do not know what you mean by "copy", but I would consider both of them original pentax lenses

kh1234567890 · 09-09-2014, 01:28 AM

Mine, serial 2206698, also has the 'LENS MADE IN JAPAN' stamping.

jcphoto · 09-09-2014, 02:02 AM

Hmm maybe the earlier production runs were made in Japan, then outsourced elsewhere? I guess I will never know since most of these lenses are bought second hand? Thanks for all the input!

Anthen · 09-09-2014, 02:10 AM

A quick image search yielded nothing too. Just a guess, but it may be that one was made for exports or something?

Jean Poitiers · 09-09-2014, 02:23 AM

My lens/copy is without the "MIJ" stamp and serial n° 667675 ... acquired in France.

Adam · 09-09-2014, 02:35 AM

Originally posted by jcphoto

Hmm maybe the earlier production runs were made in Japan, then outsourced elsewhere? I guess I will never know since most of these lenses are bought second hand? Thanks for all the input!

I believe all M 50mm F1.4's were made in Japan. However, for cheaper lenses like the 50mm F2, they did decide to eventually outsource them, so there are two versions.

Adam
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kh1234567890 · 09-09-2014, 04:02 AM

Looking at the serials in the database, they seem to fall into two groups, starting with either 2 or 6/7. Do all the 2's have the MIJ stamp ?

Cabessius · 09-09-2014, 06:23 AM

Mine is 2423584 and "LENS MADE IN JAPAN" is there.

**baro-nite** · 09-09-2014, 07:44 AM

2410977, stamped LENS MADE IN JAPAN.

A later A-series lens of mine is simply stamped JAPAN.

Jean Poitiers · 09-09-2014, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by baro-nite

2410977, stamped LENS MADE IN JAPAN.

A later A-series lens of mine is simply stamped JAPAN.

My A 50/1.4 is also raised stamped "JAPAN" in an indented rectangle at about 6 o'clock when mounted in "A" position ... opposite, that is.

Kozlok · 09-09-2014, 10:24 AM

My guess is some lawyer got the customs guys to agree that marking just the the front of the lens was sufficient. They then eliminated the rolling machine to reduce cost.

**monochrome** · 09-09-2014, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by Kozlok

My guess is some lawyer got the customs guys to agree that marking just the the front of the lens was sufficient. They then eliminated the rolling machine to reduce cost.

Or since that part might be interchangeable with the outsourced M50/2 Adam mentions above they just quite rolling it.

utak · 09-10-2014, 04:34 AM

My M50/1.4 is 6776802 and doesn't have the text. It seems real enough.

09-08-2014, 09:30 PM	#1
jcphoto Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: United States Photos: Gallery Posts: 35	Pentax-M SMC F/1.4 different versions? Hi all, I tried googling my question and came back with nothing. I'm using a Pentax-M SMC f/1.4 lens and bought another for $30 (Along with another k1000) and this new one has "Lens made in Japan" stamped on the barrel. Are there 2 versions of these lens? or is one of mine a copy? Would anyone know anything about this? Thanks, J. Attached Images

09-09-2014, 02:23 AM	#6
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	My lens/copy is without the "MIJ" stamp and serial n° 667675 ... acquired in France. Last edited by Jean Poitiers; 09-09-2014 at 02:38 AM.

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09-09-2014, 12:03 AM	#2
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,168	Some lenses are known for having different models / versions, but I do not think that's the case for the M 50 14: SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.4 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database I do not know what you mean by "copy", but I would consider both of them original pentax lenses

09-09-2014, 01:28 AM	#3
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Mine, serial 2206698, also has the 'LENS MADE IN JAPAN' stamping.

09-09-2014, 02:02 AM	#4
jcphoto Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: United States Photos: Gallery Posts: 35 Original Poster	Hmm maybe the earlier production runs were made in Japan, then outsourced elsewhere? I guess I will never know since most of these lenses are bought second hand? Thanks for all the input!

09-09-2014, 02:10 AM	#5
Anthen Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 79	A quick image search yielded nothing too. Just a guess, but it may be that one was made for exports or something?

09-09-2014, 02:35 AM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Originally posted by jcphoto Hmm maybe the earlier production runs were made in Japan, then outsourced elsewhere? I guess I will never know since most of these lenses are bought second hand? Thanks for all the input! I believe all M 50mm F1.4's were made in Japan. However, for cheaper lenses like the 50mm F2, they did decide to eventually outsource them, so there are two versions. 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:

09-09-2014, 04:02 AM	#8
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Looking at the serials in the database, they seem to fall into two groups, starting with either 2 or 6/7. Do all the 2's have the MIJ stamp ?

09-09-2014, 06:23 AM	#9
Cabessius Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Ibiza, Spain Posts: 471	Mine is 2423584 and "LENS MADE IN JAPAN" is there.

09-09-2014, 07:44 AM	#10
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	2410977, stamped LENS MADE IN JAPAN. A later A-series lens of mine is simply stamped JAPAN.

09-09-2014, 07:57 AM	#11
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Originally posted by baro-nite 2410977, stamped LENS MADE IN JAPAN. A later A-series lens of mine is simply stamped JAPAN. My A 50/1.4 is also raised stamped "JAPAN" in an indented rectangle at about 6 o'clock when mounted in "A" position ... opposite, that is.

09-09-2014, 10:24 AM	#12
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	My guess is some lawyer got the customs guys to agree that marking just the the front of the lens was sufficient. They then eliminated the rolling machine to reduce cost.

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09-09-2014, 11:44 AM	#13
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Kozlok My guess is some lawyer got the customs guys to agree that marking just the the front of the lens was sufficient. They then eliminated the rolling machine to reduce cost. Or since that part might be interchangeable with the outsourced M50/2 Adam mentions above they just quite rolling it.

09-10-2014, 04:34 AM	#14
utak Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 928	My M50/1.4 is 6776802 and doesn't have the text. It seems real enough.