Counterfeit Lens on Ebay?

180pilot · 05-07-2018, 10:41 AM

This just does not look right, no serial # or "made in Japan"? Nor does the size of the lens look correct for a 1:2?

edom31 · 05-07-2018, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by 180pilot

made in Japan

Are all true Pentax lenses made in Japan?

I have a M 50mm f2 that is made in Taiwan...

**paulh** · 05-07-2018, 10:47 AM - **2 Likes**

Looks like a plain-Jane A50/2 to me. It's a decent, but not high-value lens, so it's unlikely anyone would bother making a fake.

**pepperberry farm** · 05-07-2018, 10:49 AM

is there a link to the auction?

stevebrot · 05-07-2018, 11:00 AM

I can't say much from the photo, though there is little reason to expect that anyone would fake a Pentax-A 50mm f/2.0.

Steve

jab2980 · 05-07-2018, 11:13 AM

The serial number is along the bottom, but being blocked by the filter threads due to the angle the photo was taken at. There is nothing to compare the size of the lens to other than the rear cap, but everything looks proportionate. Zero reason to think it's a counterfeit.

Ole · 05-07-2018, 11:15 AM

Looks genuine to me. You can't see the serial number because It is engraved opposite to the "Pentax-A" engraving and thus hidden by the filter ring.

180pilot · 05-07-2018, 11:28 AM

Thanks,

My error, missed one dot, thought is was being advertised as a f1.2..( red face )....

pschlute · 05-07-2018, 11:31 AM

The lens has it's writing on the outside of the filter threads (unlike the M and K series). The angle is why you cannot see the rest which will only be the serial number.

I agree with the others. If anyone were to fake a lens, using the 50mm 1:2 would be stupid.

---------- Post added 05-07-18 at 07:35 PM ----------

Originally posted by 180pilot

Thanks,

My error, missed one dot, thought is was being advertised as a f1.2..( red face )....

Fear not. I made the same mistake myself once.

The 1.2 has a much larger focus ring grip, and a LOT more glass.

**jlstrawman** · 05-07-2018, 11:48 AM

I kind of doubt anyone would waste the time to counterfeit a $30 lens.

stevebrot · 05-07-2018, 02:01 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by 180pilot

Thanks,

My error, missed one dot, thought is was being advertised as a f1.2..( red face )....

Not the first...not the first...

Steve

Not a Number · 05-07-2018, 02:07 PM

On my Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.7 "Japan" is embossed on the aperture ring 180° from the "A" setting marking.

**catfishjohn** · 05-07-2018, 02:47 PM

Too many times I have seen f2 lens listed as f1.2 on ebay. Its buyer beware as I think it happens all too often to always be an honest mistake. About two weeks ago I did a search on ebay for Pentax 50mm f1.2. There were thirty eight lens listed, of the thirty eight there were in fact three f2. I was able to identify these three from the pictures on the listing. They were listed as f1.2 everywhere in the listing except the photos. I contacted the sellers about the errors and got mixed results, some made corrections. Some did not. A seller not familar with lenses could make this mistake, but I think a lot is outright fraud.

Not a Number · 05-07-2018, 02:50 PM

You have to look closely at the listing is it listed as 1.2 or 1:2 (one point two vs one semi-colon 2) the later is correct for a f/2.0 lens.

**gofour3** · 05-08-2018, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

though there is little reason to expect that anyone would fake a Pentax-A 50mm f/2.0.

Yep it's like counterfeiting an $1.00 bill!

Phil.

05-07-2018, 10:41 AM	#1
180pilot New Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: California Posts: 17	Counterfeit Lens on Ebay? This just does not look right, no serial # or "made in Japan"? Nor does the size of the lens look correct for a 1:2?

05-07-2018, 11:31 AM	#9
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	The lens has it's writing on the outside of the filter threads (unlike the M and K series). The angle is why you cannot see the rest which will only be the serial number. I agree with the others. If anyone were to fake a lens, using the 50mm 1:2 would be stupid. ---------- Post added 05-07-18 at 07:35 PM ---------- Originally posted by 180pilot Thanks, My error, missed one dot, thought is was being advertised as a f1.2..( red face ).... Fear not. I made the same mistake myself once. The 1.2 has a much larger focus ring grip, and a LOT more glass. Last edited by pschlute; 05-07-2018 at 11:37 AM.

05-07-2018, 02:47 PM	#13
catfishjohn Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Arkansas Posts: 137	f 1.2 vs f2 Too many times I have seen f2 lens listed as f1.2 on ebay. Its buyer beware as I think it happens all too often to always be an honest mistake. About two weeks ago I did a search on ebay for Pentax 50mm f1.2. There were thirty eight lens listed, of the thirty eight there were in fact three f2. I was able to identify these three from the pictures on the listing. They were listed as f1.2 everywhere in the listing except the photos. I contacted the sellers about the errors and got mixed results, some made corrections. Some did not. A seller not familar with lenses could make this mistake, but I think a lot is outright fraud.

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05-07-2018, 10:44 AM	#2
edom31 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Garden City, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,349	Originally posted by 180pilot made in Japan Are all true Pentax lenses made in Japan? I have a M 50mm f2 that is made in Taiwan...

05-07-2018, 10:47 AM - 2 Likes	#3
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,269	Looks like a plain-Jane A50/2 to me. It's a decent, but not high-value lens, so it's unlikely anyone would bother making a fake.

05-07-2018, 10:49 AM	#4
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	is there a link to the auction?

05-07-2018, 11:00 AM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I can't say much from the photo, though there is little reason to expect that anyone would fake a Pentax-A 50mm f/2.0. Steve

05-07-2018, 11:13 AM	#6
jab2980 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 578	The serial number is along the bottom, but being blocked by the filter threads due to the angle the photo was taken at. There is nothing to compare the size of the lens to other than the rear cap, but everything looks proportionate. Zero reason to think it's a counterfeit.

05-07-2018, 11:15 AM	#7
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	Looks genuine to me. You can't see the serial number because It is engraved opposite to the "Pentax-A" engraving and thus hidden by the filter ring.

05-07-2018, 11:28 AM	#8
180pilot New Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: California Posts: 17 Original Poster	Thanks, My error, missed one dot, thought is was being advertised as a f1.2..( red face )....

05-07-2018, 11:48 AM	#10
jlstrawman Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Midwest US Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,058	I kind of doubt anyone would waste the time to counterfeit a $30 lens.

05-07-2018, 02:01 PM - 2 Likes	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by 180pilot Thanks, My error, missed one dot, thought is was being advertised as a f1.2..( red face ).... Not the first...not the first... Steve

05-07-2018, 02:07 PM	#12
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	On my Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.7 "Japan" is embossed on the aperture ring 180° from the "A" setting marking.

05-07-2018, 02:50 PM	#14
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	You have to look closely at the listing is it listed as 1.2 or 1:2 (one point two vs one semi-colon 2) the later is correct for a f/2.0 lens.

05-08-2018, 07:26 AM	#15
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by stevebrot though there is little reason to expect that anyone would fake a Pentax-A 50mm f/2.0. Yep it's like counterfeiting an $1.00 bill! Phil.