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Re: [OM] Zuiko 1.8 50mm lenses

Subject: Re: [OM] Zuiko 1.8 50mm lenses
From: "deebel" <deebel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2011 08:37:23 +0100
Thanks Mike, Moose, Chris, AG, Chuck,

I seem to have representatives from all 5 camps ranging from 219482 to
5881263. Incidentally the most recent "high" numbers all came attached to
OM10 bodies in thrift shops at pretty nominal cost.

Feel a spreadsheet coming on...

Thanks

Dave


-----Original Message-----
From: Moose [mailto:olymoose@xxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: 01 September 2011 19:40
To: Olympus Camera Discussion
Subject: Re: [OM] Zuiko 1.8 50mm lenses

On 8/31/2011 4:56 PM, Chris Crawford wrote:
> The very last version is said to be the best.

Agreed, if conventional sharpness, contrast and lack of distortion are the
criteria. There will inevitably be those who 
will find that earlier versions 'draw' in a way they prefer. Look for a
serial number over 5,500,000. My 5,8xx,xxx is 
clearly a latest type.

> I have 3 of them and can
> attest that they are very sharp, even wide open. That version has "made in
> japan" writte on the front ring around the front element. Written just as
I
> wrote it, in lowercase, made in japan (not just japan)

This is incorrect. Look at your three lenses. "Japan" is capitalized, as one
would expect, "made in Japan", correctly 
abbreviated as "miJ"

On 8/31/2011 6:07 PM, Chuck Norcutt wrote:
> Sorry, this is the post I should have put here.  Also from John on
> October 2, 2000.  A bit more info
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> According to my parts lists, there are 5 different 1.8s.  The last three
> types (type 3,4 and 5) have plastic diaphragm rings&  focus rings.  If
> you look closely, you can see the  parting lines left by the molds.
> These 3 all have the 2 piece lens mount (compare to oldest SC type and
> you'll know what I mean by 2 piece).  Type 3 and 4 differ only in that
> there are 2 different  part numbers for the lens element group next to
> the rear element, other lens elements in type 3&  4 are interchangeable.
>    The other difference in type 3&  4 is that one name ring says MC, the
> other doesn't.
>
> Type 3&  4 started the practice of incorporating the front element,  and
> L2 into a sealed unit with the filter ring ((ZD3041).
> Type 5 has the same rear element as type 3&  4, but a totally different
> front group (w/filter ring) (ZJ1669).
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes I've taken over the years suggest that Types 1 & 2 have a front ring
designation "F. ZUIKO" and are single coated. 
My first was a Type 1, and is a pretty mediocre lens.

Type 3 front ring says "ZUIKO MC" and, like all later types, are
multi-coated.

I'm less certain about Type 4, but believe it to be the first version with
"made in Japan" on the front ring and the 
serial number on the side of the mount. This agrees with John's post above.

As Ken mentions, but without useful differentiation, starting with the Type
3, "MC", age led to sticky aperture blades 
in the majority of lenses. I've encountered one snappy aperture MC lens.
Whether it had been repaired, I don't know. Of 
four Type 4 miJs I've had, all in the 3,500,000 to 3,700,000 serial number
range, three were snappy and one just a 
little slow.

It's generally accepted that the slow aperture blades are due to the
focusing helical grease used at the time breaking 
down with age, heat, use, etc. and the lighter fraction migrating onto the
aperture blades. It's fairly easy to clean 
the blades, but they have a tendency to slow down again after a while. I
suspect only a complete overhaul with new 
grease is a long term solution, and simply not economically sensible.

It appears that by Type 5, which has certainly appeared by serial no.
5,800,000, but probably earlier, the aperture 
problem has disappeared and the optical formula is superior.

> But as Chris said the easiest way to recognize it is the "made in japan"
> on the name ring in front.  Often referred to here as the MIJ lens.

As above, "Japan" is capitalized.

Pedantism in the pursuit of accuracy is no crime, but may be really
annoying.

A. P. Moose
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