Serial numbers may have been allocated in batches to the factories. It is
likely that they were then used randomly within the batch. On the
production line the assembler probably just grabbed a decor ring from a
bin. I also suspect that the different factories switched over between
designs at different times. Olympus rarely made any "noise" about changes
in specification.
This is all speculation, I have no concrete knowledge, but the Olympus
approach seems to have been continuous improvement while keeping model
numbers and marketing info the same. The "n" versions of OM1/2 were
introduced when there was a change in function and compatibility, rather
than internal operation.
Chris.
On Sun, 10 Sep 2023, 23:16 usher99--- via olympus, <
olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Reputedly Type 5 lenses are optically superior. They all seem to have
> been
> > made in the same factory and precision and QC may well have been better.
> > You cannot, however assume a Type 5 is better than any other; My best and
> > worst samples of the 50mm f1.8 are both Type 5.Thanks for the
> comprehensive answer, Chris! All that rings true but a couple of
> surprising observations. I was not aware of that much copy variability for
> the MIJ versions and would have thought the serial numbers would be a good
> indicator for the most part unless the lens had been disassembled. I have
> not seen any mention on this list of large sample variability on the high
> sn 50/1.4 Zuikos. Certainly the Z 21 f2's had much sample variability in
> sharpness at wider apertures as documented by Mike Hatem. At least Nathan
> obtained his from Bill Barber, IIRC, so should have a nice MIJ copy. I may
> have to go look at my Z 50/1.8, Z 50/2 macro, Z 50/1.4 and Z. 50/3.5 macro
> just to give them some attention.
> Nifty fifty fan, Mike
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