Unusual inscription on Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4

impossibro · 10-01-2017, 06:29 PM - **1 Like**

Hey guys, I just received a Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 from eBay and noticed that where the lens would say "Lens Made in Japan", instead it says "SAMPLE". Would anyone here know why this may be the case with this lens? I've attached some photos so hopefully those give you a better idea. I couldn't find another case similar to this using the forum search.

Cheers!

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

alamo5000 · 10-01-2017, 08:32 PM - **1 Like**

My guess would be that the lens was a sample of some sort at one point in time.

Not a Number · 10-01-2017, 10:43 PM

Probably a store demo copy or some such not to be sold.

Wild Mark · 10-01-2017, 11:25 PM

nice - a collectors piece

impossibro · 10-02-2017, 12:51 AM

Wow, that's pretty interesting. I haven't had a chance to test the optics yet but I'm hoping they'd be pretty good too.

MarkJerling · 10-02-2017, 02:17 AM

Originally posted by impossibro

Hey guys, I just received a Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 from eBay and noticed that where the lens would say "Lens Made in Japan", instead it says "SAMPLE". Would anyone here know why this may be the case with this lens? I've attached some photos so hopefully those give you a better idea. I couldn't find another case similar to this using the forum search.

Cheers!

I have heard of such a thing, but have never seen one. It's a rarity! Factory sample not meant for resale I believe. What a nice catch!

victormeldrew · 10-02-2017, 02:43 AM

Oh no! That means it has been used by a doctor for holding...ahem...fluids.

35mmfilmfan · 10-02-2017, 03:53 AM

Originally posted by victormeldrew

Oh no! That means it has been used by a doctor for holding...ahem...fluids.

Nonsense ! You use a whiskey bottle for that. Just don't leave it on the bus .. .. ..

Wasp · 10-02-2017, 05:08 AM

Build in some sort of pre-production run? Intended for use at photo shows only? Or perhaps it was on display in the factory reception area? Pulled from the production line for exhaustive tests? Or a prototype? It would certainly be interesting to know what the story is. Perhaps the serial number can help trace the birth of this curiosity.

It seems to me like this bad boy was never supposed to leave the factory. Nice find!

PS: The Serial Number Database lists two entries starting with 678.

**gofour3** · 10-02-2017, 09:28 AM

Nice find! I've seen pictures of a similar lens before, they may have been used in a camera trade show back in the 1970's.

Phil.

ScooterMaxi Jim · 10-02-2017, 11:15 AM

Back in my camera shop gear selling days around 1980, Pentax (and the other major brands) often provided deeply discounted bodies and lenses sold directly to the retail representatives - for obvious reasons.

Of course, Pentax didn't want to see a black market emerge from these sales, so the inscriptions were the logical move. I went with an LX and m50 f/1.4. I'm sure the SAMPLE inscriptions were also intended to ensure that the sales representatives didn't cycle through stock (mostly a matter discouraging unopened boxes becoming samples). Those reps were displaying and packing up at least once a day.

My biggest issue came with the LX (a body that never got me feeling wowed despite the many pro options available) which had the deeply set inscription right below the shutter cock lever, and due to the softer metal caused some indentation surrounding the heavy scribe. Seeing that I was surprised that it didn't impede the shutter advance. Sure enough, within about four months, the shutter advance mechanism failed - repaired under warranty.

The lens inscription looks much nicer than how the body came out:
http://www.jamesrobins.com/Photo-tests-/M50mm/n-J9JMHR/i-xFMD7rC/A

Wild Mark · 11-21-2018, 02:33 AM - **3 Likes**

I just got lucky and picked up one just like the OPs. Serial is 7129208

10-02-2017, 05:08 AM	#9
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	Build in some sort of pre-production run? Intended for use at photo shows only? Or perhaps it was on display in the factory reception area? Pulled from the production line for exhaustive tests? Or a prototype? It would certainly be interesting to know what the story is. Perhaps the serial number can help trace the birth of this curiosity. It seems to me like this bad boy was never supposed to leave the factory. Nice find! PS: The Serial Number Database lists two entries starting with 678. Last edited by Wasp; 10-02-2017 at 05:15 AM.

10-02-2017, 11:15 AM	#11
ScooterMaxi Jim Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,520	Back in my camera shop gear selling days around 1980, Pentax (and the other major brands) often provided deeply discounted bodies and lenses sold directly to the retail representatives - for obvious reasons. Of course, Pentax didn't want to see a black market emerge from these sales, so the inscriptions were the logical move. I went with an LX and m50 f/1.4. I'm sure the SAMPLE inscriptions were also intended to ensure that the sales representatives didn't cycle through stock (mostly a matter discouraging unopened boxes becoming samples). Those reps were displaying and packing up at least once a day. My biggest issue came with the LX (a body that never got me feeling wowed despite the many pro options available) which had the deeply set inscription right below the shutter cock lever, and due to the softer metal caused some indentation surrounding the heavy scribe. Seeing that I was surprised that it didn't impede the shutter advance. Sure enough, within about four months, the shutter advance mechanism failed - repaired under warranty. The lens inscription looks much nicer than how the body came out: http://www.jamesrobins.com/Photo-tests-/M50mm/n-J9JMHR/i-xFMD7rC/A Last edited by ScooterMaxi Jim; 10-02-2017 at 11:41 AM. Reason: Adding image link

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10-01-2017, 08:32 PM - 1 Like	#2
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	My guess would be that the lens was a sample of some sort at one point in time.

10-01-2017, 10:43 PM	#3
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Probably a store demo copy or some such not to be sold.

10-01-2017, 11:25 PM	#4
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	nice - a collectors piece

10-02-2017, 12:51 AM	#5
impossibro Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 66 Original Poster	Wow, that's pretty interesting. I haven't had a chance to test the optics yet but I'm hoping they'd be pretty good too.

10-02-2017, 02:17 AM	#6
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Originally posted by impossibro Hey guys, I just received a Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 from eBay and noticed that where the lens would say "Lens Made in Japan", instead it says "SAMPLE". Would anyone here know why this may be the case with this lens? I've attached some photos so hopefully those give you a better idea. I couldn't find another case similar to this using the forum search. Cheers! I have heard of such a thing, but have never seen one. It's a rarity! Factory sample not meant for resale I believe. What a nice catch!

10-02-2017, 02:43 AM	#7
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Oh no! That means it has been used by a doctor for holding...ahem...fluids.

10-02-2017, 03:53 AM	#8
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,329	Originally posted by victormeldrew Oh no! That means it has been used by a doctor for holding...ahem...fluids. Nonsense ! You use a whiskey bottle for that. Just don't leave it on the bus .. .. ..

10-02-2017, 09:28 AM	#10
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Nice find! I've seen pictures of a similar lens before, they may have been used in a camera trade show back in the 1970's. Phil.

11-21-2018, 02:33 AM - 3 Likes	#12
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	I just got lucky and picked up one just like the OPs. Serial is 7129208