>>>The last and best of the approx 8 versions of the Zuiko 1.8.
Only Five, actually----see below from John and Moose:
Moose isn't around to correct this so here goes.
Esoterica are us, Mike
Also from John on
> October 2, 2000. A bit more info
>
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> 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).
>
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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 alittle 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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