I believe the only foolproof way to identify an MIJ from photographs is the
two notches on the rear lens retaining ring.
On Mon, 11 Sep 2023, 18:32 Chris Weir, <chris.a.weir@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> John, you will have seen far more of these than me. Is it possible that
> Type 3 are all 3 million, Type 4, 4 million and Type 5, 5 million? I don't
> think I have ever seen a 4 million serial number, but I haven't knowingly
> seen a Type 4.
>
> Chris.
>
> On Mon, 11 Sep 2023, 17:50 John Hermanson, <jhermanson21@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> I have found that some "Made in Japan" samples are actually the previous
>> MC version. As if the factory ran out of MC name rings and substituted
>> the
>> newer MIJ rings before switching over to the MIJ design. Comparing the
>> insides and front lens assy confirms this. A REAL MIJ 50 1.8 will be over
>> serial number 5 mill.
>>
>> On Sun, Sep 10, 2023 at 6:16 PM 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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>> >
>>
>> --
>> John Hermanson
>> Camtech Photo Services, Inc.
>> 21 South Lane
>> Huntington, NY 11743-4714
>> www.zuiko.com : | : jhermanson21@xxxxxxxxx
>> --
>> _________________________________________________________________
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>>
>>
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