My "New" Lens got here today!

[mopar_guy]

Just arrived: Zuiko 35mm 1:2 silvernose serial #106332. This one has a low serial number and is in really nice shape. It came with the hard case and the metal lens hood. I have wanted to buy one of these for ages but I have always told myself "NO".

Does anyone know how to date these lenses based on the serial numbers? I want to get out this afternoon and try this out.

I'm beginning to think that I have a problem. In the last month I have gotten:
OM-4T with 50mm 1:1.4 Zuiko
OM-4T
and last night from eBay Motor Drive 2 with M. Control Pack 2 and Grip Strap.

Dave

 

[Ken N]

Yes, Dave. You have a problem. But what a wonderful problem it is.

You usually can't determine exactly when a lens is made by the serial number, but one that low indicates that it is firmly in the earliest runs. I'm not absolutely sure, but I'm thinking that the lowest one started at 106000. The Blacknosed version pretty much starts at 120000. There are outliers in the sampling data that was gathered a few years ago, but we came across no samples at that time below 106000.

 

[mopar_guy]

Ten years ago the 35mm 1:2 lenses usually sold for $170, but now nobody makes prime lenses anymore and all of the d*****l guys can get adapters to mount the manual focus Zuikos on their cameras. I think that this trend has pushed the values of the OM Zuikos up. Some of the the better/rarer lenses go for silly prices nowadays.