A Word about Russian Serial Numbers

[Pancolart]

Thank's Marc. May i ask how come you're so into Russian optics? And if you can write your top 5 golden oldies lenses.

[themoleman342]

First and foremost I am a social and intellectual historian of the Soviet era, specifically the interwar period. Because I've always had an interest in the region and decided to invest a little money into a photography hobby (which has subsequently turned into an addiction), I decided to go with East German and Soviet optics. The price/quality ratio is truthfully what kept me buying, but I do prefer the characteristics I get from these over many of the Japanese lenses that I do have. I rarely buy lenses 'coldly' (without knowing their full background), so usually if someone asks about one that I do have (in this case the mir-1) I know a bit about it.
A top lens list is a toughie for me but I'll tell you what I end up bringing on outings:
Mir 10A 3.5/28
Mir 24m 2/35
Zenitar-M 1.7/50
Helios 44 2/58 (perhaps -2, but I'm liking the original more and more)
Jupiter 9 2/85
Tair 11A 2.8/135
I know that is one more than you asked but one has to have a full range of focal lengths, no? Keep in mind I still exclusively use film. The list may change slightly in the next several weeks, since I am expecting a Helios 40-2, wooo! I also have some favorites like the m39 mir-1 or industar 22, that are wonderful, but restrictive since I can't get infinity. So these I use in special circumstances when I know the upcoming conditions.

I really need to get to updating my "equipment" set on flickr which as of now, does not even reflect 1/5th of my collection.

~Marc
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I've been doing a lot of abstract photography lately, extremely abstract. No camera, no lens, no film, I just think about it.

~adaptation of a joke told by the American comedian Steven Wright.

[JWH]

I am also very interested in the histories and stories behind lenses and I happen to have one interesting piece ( posted before ).





So the 000x says it may have been a prototype, is it known what the 0009141 might mean? I've heard something about production dates but I can't think of a date that has 9141 in it . I'm eager to find out what this might be because as a Prototype I wouldn't go with a serialnumber like that!
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Canon 450D
AF: Canon 10-22 USM - Canon 18-55 IS - Canon 70-300 IS USM
MF: Zenitar MC M-2,8/16 - SMC Takumar 50/1.4 - Helios 44M-2 2/58 SN000x - Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 2/58 - Helios 44-3 MC 2/58 - Porst MC 135/1.8 - Jupiter 6-2 180/2.8 Silver - Panomar 12/8 Fish-Eye - Carl Zeiss Planar 50/1.7