Mamiya-Sekor SX 50mm 2.0 Lens

[Ten301]

Hello,

I just bought this lens but I am curious about something. I’m hoping someone may be able to shed some light on this ‘mystery’.

All Mamiya-Sekor SX 50mm f2.0 lenses I have seen have white lettering on the ‘beauty ring’. This is the only one I’ve seen with red lettering. Would anyone know the reason for this? I understand in the scheme of things this is certainly not a big deal, but it just seems like an oddity in this series that must signify something?

Thank you.

 

[MattKing]

Felt pen employed before you got it?
Said with tongue in cheek, but I've seen stranger things.

 

[beemermark]

Mamiya ran out of white ink? Not tongue in check. In another lifetime (like 50 years ago) companies I worked for would run out of the normal paint supply and not being able to get a quick replacement would go with an available paint. Not a real big deal. Usually the salesmen would tell the customer it was an improvement.

 

[Ten301]

Felt pen employed before you got it?
Said with tongue in cheek, but I've seen stranger things.

You know, you could be on to something there…haha. That actually never crossed my mind. I don’t yet have the lens in my possession (just recently purchased it on an auction site) but I will inspect it closer on delivery. In any event, it won’t affect the functionality, and I could probably always remove it with a little isopropyl alcohol if it is marker.

 

[Ten301]

Mamiya ran out of white ink? Not tongue in check. In another lifetime (like 50 years ago) companies I worked for would run out of the normal paint supply and not being able to get a quick replacement would go with an available paint. Not a real big deal. Usually the salesmen would tell the customer it was an improvement.

I may actually like it!

 

[koraks]

Felt pen employed before you got it?

Yup. To make it go faster. Red = go faster!

 

[Ten301]

UPDATE: The lens arrived and I’ve had a chance to inspect it closely. It really does appear that it came from the factory with the red lettering on the ring. It doesn’t look like anyone filled it in with a red marker.

So, the mini-mystery of why this lens has red lettering when all other Mamiya-Sekor SX 50mm f2.0 copies I have seen have white continues…

 

[John Wiegerink]

Those were actually made for export to Red China until the then new tariffs went into effect.