Question of Lens colour.

Doug James · 11-03-2020, 02:45 PM

What is the difference between the SMS lens that are silver and the ones that are black ?

**jlstrawman** · 11-03-2020, 02:47 PM

Do you mean SMC?

Adam · 11-03-2020, 02:50 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Doug James

What is the difference between the SMS lens that are silver and the ones that are black ?

As you've concisely stated, the difference is purely cosmetic. Some silver lenses are special editions (for example, the A 50mm F1.2 Special bundled with the LX2000, a late production run of the SMC DA 21, 40, and 70mm limiteds, and the recent D FA*'s), while most others are not (SMC FA limiteds, HD DA limiteds, all FA* lenses).

shyrsio · 11-03-2020, 02:51 PM - **3 Likes**

The difference is the feeling they give you! XD

**pschlute** · 11-03-2020, 03:03 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by shyrsio

The difference is the feeling they give you! XD

We all like a bit of bling

Doug James · 11-03-2020, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by jlstrawman

Do you mean SMC?

Yep! You got it. Thanks

---------- Post added 11-03-20 at 05:29 PM ----------

Originally posted by Adam

As you've concisely stated, the difference is purely cosmetic. Some silver lenses are special editions (for example, the A 50mm F1.2 Special bundled with the LX2000, a late production run of the SMC DA 21, 40, and 70mm limiteds, and the recent D FA*'s), while most others are not (SMC FA limiteds, HD DA limiteds, all FA* lenses).

Thank you Adam, that does help.

Doug

**DWS1** · 11-03-2020, 06:26 PM - **2 Likes**

Back when I started most everything was silver. We all wanted the black "pro" editions.

**UncleVanya** · 11-03-2020, 06:29 PM - **1 Like**

There were also silver and black lenses made during the film era. The FA* lenses were only offered in silver. But some plain FA were offered in silver and black.

Michail_P · 11-08-2020, 01:46 AM - **1 Like**

So these rumors about different built quality are nonsense? It’s a common thing for other brands too.

**UncleVanya** · 11-08-2020, 07:17 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by mixalis_kalymnos1611

So these rumors about different built quality are nonsense? It’s a common thing for other brands too.

The "*" and limited lenses seem to have higher build quality. And the older F* and FA* were different colors than a lot of their other lenses, but color alone isn't sufficient, there were some really cheap lenses using silver color, many of these were also offered in black.

**pentaxus** · 11-08-2020, 05:16 PM - **1 Like**

Some people like to have a contrasting silver lens on a black camera and other want a black one. If you think it looks cool you may take better pictures (or not).

**UncleVanya** · 11-08-2020, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by pentaxus

Some people like to have a contrasting silver lens on a black camera and other want a black one. If you think it looks cool you may take better pictures (or not).

Exactly. I have a silver 20-40 and fa 31 and FA* 300. Most of my lenses are black.

**photogem** · 11-11-2020, 02:01 AM

There is a huge difference between the silver of a "Limited lens": Anodised aluminium
and silver coated lenses made of plastic, such as the FA lenses (I don't know about the FA* lenses, never had one of those)

I once saw a K3 silver. The silver coating had quite a few scratches which one could see very well.

I once had a used K200D silver (damaged, got it for the Japan solenoid): Silver coating was very scratched.

In general I thing the black versions of Pentax bodies last better and the same goes for the black versions of FA-lenses.
But not so for the aluminium limited lenses (I have a FA43 ltd and a DA35macro ltd in silver... both well used but still exc. condition).

Wasp · 11-11-2020, 03:11 AM

Originally posted by jlstrawman

Do you mean SMC?

Automatic correction strikes again!

11-03-2020, 02:45 PM	#1
Doug James Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Manitoba Posts: 27	Question of Lens colour. What is the difference between the SMS lens that are silver and the ones that are black ?

11-03-2020, 02:50 PM - 1 Like	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 49,777	Originally posted by Doug James What is the difference between the SMS lens that are silver and the ones that are black ? As you've concisely stated, the difference is purely cosmetic. Some silver lenses are special editions (for example, the A 50mm F1.2 Special bundled with the LX2000, a late production run of the SMC DA 21, 40, and 70mm limiteds, and the recent D FA's), while most others are not (SMC FA limiteds, HD DA limiteds, all FA lenses). 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, 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:

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11-03-2020, 02:47 PM	#2
jlstrawman Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Midwest US Photos: Gallery Posts: 908	Do you mean SMC?

11-03-2020, 02:51 PM - 3 Likes	#4
shyrsio Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Tirana Posts: 339	The difference is the feeling they give you! XD

11-03-2020, 03:03 PM - 2 Likes	#5
pschlute Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,549	Originally posted by shyrsio The difference is the feeling they give you! XD We all like a bit of bling

11-03-2020, 03:58 PM	#6
Doug James Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Manitoba Posts: 27 Original Poster	Originally posted by jlstrawman Do you mean SMC? Yep! You got it. Thanks ---------- Post added 11-03-20 at 05:29 PM ---------- Originally posted by Adam As you've concisely stated, the difference is purely cosmetic. Some silver lenses are special editions (for example, the A 50mm F1.2 Special bundled with the LX2000, a late production run of the SMC DA 21, 40, and 70mm limiteds, and the recent D FA's), while most others are not (SMC FA limiteds, HD DA limiteds, all FA lenses). Thank you Adam, that does help. Doug

11-03-2020, 06:26 PM - 2 Likes	#7
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 577	Back when I started most everything was silver. We all wanted the black "pro" editions.

11-03-2020, 06:29 PM - 1 Like	#8
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,028	There were also silver and black lenses made during the film era. The FA* lenses were only offered in silver. But some plain FA were offered in silver and black.

11-08-2020, 01:46 AM - 1 Like	#9
Michail_P Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 936	So these rumors about different built quality are nonsense? It’s a common thing for other brands too.

11-08-2020, 07:17 AM - 1 Like	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,028	Originally posted by mixalis_kalymnos1611 So these rumors about different built quality are nonsense? It’s a common thing for other brands too. The "" and limited lenses seem to have higher build quality. And the older F and FA* were different colors than a lot of their other lenses, but color alone isn't sufficient, there were some really cheap lenses using silver color, many of these were also offered in black.

11-08-2020, 05:16 PM - 1 Like	#11
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 886	Some people like to have a contrasting silver lens on a black camera and other want a black one. If you think it looks cool you may take better pictures (or not).

11-08-2020, 05:49 PM	#12
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,028	Originally posted by pentaxus Some people like to have a contrasting silver lens on a black camera and other want a black one. If you think it looks cool you may take better pictures (or not). Exactly. I have a silver 20-40 and fa 31 and FA* 300. Most of my lenses are black.

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11-11-2020, 02:01 AM	#13
photogem Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 1,258	There is a huge difference between the silver of a "Limited lens": Anodised aluminium and silver coated lenses made of plastic, such as the FA lenses (I don't know about the FA* lenses, never had one of those) I once saw a K3 silver. The silver coating had quite a few scratches which one could see very well. I once had a used K200D silver (damaged, got it for the Japan solenoid): Silver coating was very scratched. In general I thing the black versions of Pentax bodies last better and the same goes for the black versions of FA-lenses. But not so for the aluminium limited lenses (I have a FA43 ltd and a DA35macro ltd in silver... both well used but still exc. condition).

11-11-2020, 03:11 AM	#14
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,299	Originally posted by jlstrawman Do you mean SMC? Automatic correction strikes again!