Super Takamur serial numbers

sparkygroover · 08-31-2018, 12:00 PM

Hi I`m new here so hope the is the right place to post. I have a Pentax Super-Takumur 55mm F2 Lens. How do I date the year of manufacture? Serial no is: 2904576.... I`m guessing the last 2 digits might date it to 1976? Thanks in advance.

**MossyRocks** · 08-31-2018, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by sparkygroover

I`m guessing the last 2 digits might date it to 1976?

Nope. The last Super Takumar 55mm f/2 was made in '73 and the SMC version was discontinued in '75. I'm not sure of a good way to get the year but someone might be able to point you to a serial number database.

**fwwidall** · 08-31-2018, 12:28 PM - **1 Like**

Hi. According to the very informative Takumar Field Guide there were five versions of the Super Takumar 55mm F2, which were produced from 1962 through to 1974.

If you look under the 'Auto/Man' switch there should be a 5 digit product number which will identify the specific model (e.g.37103)

Your serial number falls in the 'Mid Model II' range so it appears to have been made between 1967 & 1971.

Early Model I Produced 1962 to October 1963. Serial Numbers 561xxx - 862xxx. AOCo Product No. 345-3.
Late Model I Produced October 1963 to 1965. Serial Numbers 839xxx - 1756xxx. AOCo Product No. 345-6.
Early Model II Produced 1965 to 1966. Serial Numbers 1763xxx - 2308xxx. AOCo Product No. 37102.
Mid Model II Produced 1967 to 1971. Serial Numbers 2188xxx - 4706xxx. AOCo Product No. 37103.
Late Model II Produced 1971 to 1974. Serial Numbers 4719xxx - 6556xxx. AOCo Product No. 37107.

Hope that helps.

Fred.

**jatrax** · 08-31-2018, 12:28 PM - **1 Like**

As far as I know serial numbers are generated in some fashion known only to Pentax. I've never seen any logical explanation that allowed dating by the numbers. In some cases members have submitted serial numbers and date of purchase for various lenses and some data can be extracted from that. But trying to get anything from the number itself is unlikely.

**monochrome** · 08-31-2018, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

As far as I know serial numbers are generated in some fashion known only to Pentax. I've never seen any logical explanation that allowed dating by the numbers. In some cases members have submitted serial numbers and date of purchase for various lenses and some data can be extracted from that. But trying to get anything from the number itself is unlikely.

I find it interesting that Pentax has reportedly produced 24,000,000 lenses, yet serial numbers only extend to 7 digits. And that’s just Lenses. What about cameras? 7 digits.

.:

**MossyRocks** · 08-31-2018, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

yet serial numbers only extend to 7 digits. And that’s just Lenses. What about cameras? 7 digits.

Maybe that is the trick to get them to come out with new models. Get them to exhaust the serial number pool.

sparkygroover · 08-31-2018, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by fwwidall

Hi. According to the very informative Takumar Field Guide there were five versions of the Super Takumar 55mm F2, which were produced from 1962 through to 1974.

If you look under the 'Auto/Man' switch there should be a 5 digit product number which will identify the specific model (e.g.37103)

Your serial number falls in the 'Mid Model II' range so it appears to have been made between 1967 & 1971.

Early Model I Produced 1962 to October 1963. Serial Numbers 561xxx - 862xxx. AOCo Product No. 345-3.
Late Model I Produced October 1963 to 1965. Serial Numbers 839xxx - 1756xxx. AOCo Product No. 345-6.
Early Model II Produced 1965 to 1966. Serial Numbers 1763xxx - 2308xxx. AOCo Product No. 37102.
Mid Model II Produced 1967 to 1971. Serial Numbers 2188xxx - 4706xxx. AOCo Product No. 37103.
Late Model II Produced 1971 to 1974. Serial Numbers 4719xxx - 6556xxx. AOCo Product No. 37107.

Hope that helps.

Fred.

Wow many thanks.

**Cerebum** · 08-31-2018, 03:42 PM

I have a tak 135 that was made somewhere between 1957 & 1961, a similar vintage 35mm and one from 66. I haven't checked my 55mm yet! A job for tomorrow

it is so cool when you realise your lens is 60 years old

**clickclick** · 08-31-2018, 07:06 PM

Have you checked out the lens review/database part of this site? Lots of good informaiton on the different lenses. May not be down to the serial number level, but basic model history and optical designs are given for each lens.

Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

timw4mail · 08-31-2018, 08:26 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

I find it interesting that Pentax has reportedly produced 24,000,000 lenses, yet serial numbers only extend to 7 digits. And that’s just Lenses. What about cameras? 7 digits.

.:

I assume they aren't consistent with how they number across lens designs, then.

leekil · 08-31-2018, 09:36 PM

I wouldn't think they would need to use unique serial numbers across all their equipment. You can repeat a serial number on two different models of lens, camera, etc., since you would normally say "24mm/3.5, serial number xxxxxxx".

**monochrome** · 09-01-2018, 01:45 AM

Originally posted by timw4mail

I assume they aren't consistent with how they number across lens designs, then.

I’ve read some commentary over the years about Pentax serial numbers. Places on the web, Little corner pages of old websites that no longer exist. Old PDML posts from people who probably knew but they’re dead of just quit.

There doesn’t seem to be a rational ordering of serial numbers and no one seems to have found records. Supposition is Pentax just used any old block of unused numbers large enough to accommodate the number of pieces in a production batch. It would make some sense they wouldn’t be too concerned about reusing numbers in different series.

K50/xx 9999999
M50/xx 9999999
A50/xx 9999999

I wonder, though, whether any series had more than 1,000,000 pieces?

08-31-2018, 12:00 PM	#1
sparkygroover New Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2	Super Takamur serial numbers Hi I`m new here so hope the is the right place to post. I have a Pentax Super-Takumur 55mm F2 Lens. How do I date the year of manufacture? Serial no is: 2904576.... I`m guessing the last 2 digits might date it to 1976? Thanks in advance.

08-31-2018, 12:25 PM	#2
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by sparkygroover I`m guessing the last 2 digits might date it to 1976? Nope. The last Super Takumar 55mm f/2 was made in '73 and the SMC version was discontinued in '75. I'm not sure of a good way to get the year but someone might be able to point you to a serial number database. Last edited by MossyRocks; 08-31-2018 at 12:27 PM. Reason: incomplete answer.

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08-31-2018, 12:28 PM - 1 Like	#3
fwwidall Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 276	Hi. According to the very informative Takumar Field Guide there were five versions of the Super Takumar 55mm F2, which were produced from 1962 through to 1974. If you look under the 'Auto/Man' switch there should be a 5 digit product number which will identify the specific model (e.g.37103) Your serial number falls in the 'Mid Model II' range so it appears to have been made between 1967 & 1971. Early Model I Produced 1962 to October 1963. Serial Numbers 561xxx - 862xxx. AOCo Product No. 345-3. Late Model I Produced October 1963 to 1965. Serial Numbers 839xxx - 1756xxx. AOCo Product No. 345-6. Early Model II Produced 1965 to 1966. Serial Numbers 1763xxx - 2308xxx. AOCo Product No. 37102. Mid Model II Produced 1967 to 1971. Serial Numbers 2188xxx - 4706xxx. AOCo Product No. 37103. Late Model II Produced 1971 to 1974. Serial Numbers 4719xxx - 6556xxx. AOCo Product No. 37107. Hope that helps. Fred.

08-31-2018, 12:28 PM - 1 Like	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	As far as I know serial numbers are generated in some fashion known only to Pentax. I've never seen any logical explanation that allowed dating by the numbers. In some cases members have submitted serial numbers and date of purchase for various lenses and some data can be extracted from that. But trying to get anything from the number itself is unlikely.

08-31-2018, 12:45 PM	#5
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by jatrax As far as I know serial numbers are generated in some fashion known only to Pentax. I've never seen any logical explanation that allowed dating by the numbers. In some cases members have submitted serial numbers and date of purchase for various lenses and some data can be extracted from that. But trying to get anything from the number itself is unlikely. I find it interesting that Pentax has reportedly produced 24,000,000 lenses, yet serial numbers only extend to 7 digits. And that’s just Lenses. What about cameras? 7 digits. .:

08-31-2018, 12:56 PM	#6
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by monochrome yet serial numbers only extend to 7 digits. And that’s just Lenses. What about cameras? 7 digits. Maybe that is the trick to get them to come out with new models. Get them to exhaust the serial number pool.

08-31-2018, 01:18 PM	#7
sparkygroover New Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Originally posted by fwwidall Hi. According to the very informative Takumar Field Guide there were five versions of the Super Takumar 55mm F2, which were produced from 1962 through to 1974. If you look under the 'Auto/Man' switch there should be a 5 digit product number which will identify the specific model (e.g.37103) Your serial number falls in the 'Mid Model II' range so it appears to have been made between 1967 & 1971. Early Model I Produced 1962 to October 1963. Serial Numbers 561xxx - 862xxx. AOCo Product No. 345-3. Late Model I Produced October 1963 to 1965. Serial Numbers 839xxx - 1756xxx. AOCo Product No. 345-6. Early Model II Produced 1965 to 1966. Serial Numbers 1763xxx - 2308xxx. AOCo Product No. 37102. Mid Model II Produced 1967 to 1971. Serial Numbers 2188xxx - 4706xxx. AOCo Product No. 37103. Late Model II Produced 1971 to 1974. Serial Numbers 4719xxx - 6556xxx. AOCo Product No. 37107. Hope that helps. Fred. Wow many thanks.

08-31-2018, 03:42 PM	#8
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	I have a tak 135 that was made somewhere between 1957 & 1961, a similar vintage 35mm and one from 66. I haven't checked my 55mm yet! A job for tomorrow it is so cool when you realise your lens is 60 years old

08-31-2018, 07:06 PM	#9
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Have you checked out the lens review/database part of this site? Lots of good informaiton on the different lenses. May not be down to the serial number level, but basic model history and optical designs are given for each lens. Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

08-31-2018, 08:26 PM	#10
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	Originally posted by monochrome I find it interesting that Pentax has reportedly produced 24,000,000 lenses, yet serial numbers only extend to 7 digits. And that’s just Lenses. What about cameras? 7 digits. .: I assume they aren't consistent with how they number across lens designs, then.

08-31-2018, 09:36 PM	#11
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	I wouldn't think they would need to use unique serial numbers across all their equipment. You can repeat a serial number on two different models of lens, camera, etc., since you would normally say "24mm/3.5, serial number xxxxxxx".

09-01-2018, 01:45 AM	#12
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by timw4mail I assume they aren't consistent with how they number across lens designs, then. I’ve read some commentary over the years about Pentax serial numbers. Places on the web, Little corner pages of old websites that no longer exist. Old PDML posts from people who probably knew but they’re dead of just quit. There doesn’t seem to be a rational ordering of serial numbers and no one seems to have found records. Supposition is Pentax just used any old block of unused numbers large enough to accommodate the number of pieces in a production batch. It would make some sense they wouldn’t be too concerned about reusing numbers in different series. K50/xx 9999999 M50/xx 9999999 A50/xx 9999999 I wonder, though, whether any series had more than 1,000,000 pieces?