A Word about Russian Serial Numbers

[themoleman342]

After reading through a great deal of the previous posts I noticed that there was a little discussion over the serial numbers of Russian lenses that start with 0, 00, or 000. As part of the yahoo zenit camera group we've come around to this topic more than once. I didn't know if anyone knew what they really meant so these were our findings. Alain Berry, a French ZCG group member gave these insights (translated by Martin Luerkens - another ZCG member):

000xxxxxx factory test (study) models (prototypes etc) mod?les d'études
d'usine (prototypes etc..)
00xxxxxx preseries models reserved for members of the communist party
and "VIPs" (reservés aux membres du parti communist et haut
responsables en pré-série)
0xxxxxx reserved for factory syndicat leaders (réservés aux
responsables syndicaux d'usines)

They are in fact all pre-production models. They are generally considered higher quality optics due to the fact that there is stricter quality control (which is disputed among Russian gear), they are produced in lower numbers with greater care, and they are not presented to the general public. A great many members, with multiple copies of the helios 44-2, have invariably found the best to be the one with the 0xxxxx serial number. Whether there is really any difference between which pre-production model is the better has yet to be tested.

I always look for the lenses with pre-production serial numbers because there’s that chance that they might be better than those of mass-production lines.

Anyways I hope this was of some value
~Marc
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35mm: zenit B + zenit 122 + praktica FX + sears (ricoh) TLS - chinon 2.8/28mm, mir 10A 3.5/28, pentacon 3.5/30, mir-1 2.8/37, mamiya/sekor 1.4/50, simlar 1.5/50 (ltm m39 - macro work), tessar 2.8/50, domiplan 2.8/50, industar 50-2 3.5/50, takumar 2/55, sears 1.4/55, helios 44-2 2/58, hanimex macro zoom 3.5/28-80, tair 11A 2.8/135, jupiter 21m 4/200

Med Format: Ikoflex II - triotar 3.5/75

Large Format: 4x5 Custom Pinhole - Wide Angle 75mm

[Orio]

Thanks Marc. This is an EXCELLENTLY INFORMATIVE contribution!!!!!

I have myself a few Russians beginning with zero numbers and in fact I was wondering how could that be possible for a lens bearing the writing "Made in USSR" to have a serial number implying a build in the year 2000!
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ХОРИОС-61 ( ώρεος ) : Lens sana in corpore sano
www.timelessphotography.eu
www.oriofoto.net

Read list of equipment HERE

[Maxim]

Thank you, Marc - that's interesting! I didn't know about this fact before I have a Russian portrait lens, Tair-11A with 004548 serial number... look at the photo:


Thanks once again,
Hubert
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Regards,
Hubert
E-300 + ZD 14-42 + Tessar 5cm/3.5 + Mamiya 55/1.4 + Primoplan V 58/1.9 + Biotar 5.8cm/2 + MC Helios 44M-6 58/2 + Trioplan 100/2.8 + Trioplan V 100/2.8 + "Olympia" Sonnar 180/2.8 + Telemegor 400/5.5
www.galeria.kw.pl

[LucisPictor]

Wow, this is a very nice lens that you have, Hubert!
The Tair-11A is said to be great and then this is a VIP-version.
Take good care!

Thanks for the info, Marc
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There are two kinds of people in the world: those who divide the world into two kinds of people, and those who don’t.
"Schnäppchenjäger" | "KAPCTEH" | "Karusutenu" | "Carsten" | T-shirt?
Cams in use: EOS 40D, EOS 350D, EOS 50e, EOS 500, Spotmatic SPII, EXA I & 1c, Zenit EM; Oly 35RC,Minolta Hi-Matic E & F, Ricoh 500RF, Yashica Electro 35 GS, FED-3b and some others...
Lenses in use: Asahi Pentax: 2.8/28;3.5/35;1.4/50;1.7/50;2.8/105;3.5/135;28-80 | Canon (AF):1.8/50;17-85;75-300 | Former GDR: CZJ Flek 4/20; Pentacon 3.5/30; Pentaflex 1.8/50; CZJ 2.8/50; CZJ 4/135; Pentacon 4/200 | Fujinon: 43-75 | Hanimex: 3.5/23; 4/100;80-200 | Hoya: 25-42;80-205 | Leica: Elmarit-R 2.8/35 | Mamiya: 1.8/55 | Minolta: 1.7/50 | Nikkor: 2.8/24;2/35;2/50;1.2/55;1.8/85;3.5/135 | West German: Ludwig 2.9/50; Meyer 2.8/100; Will 4.5/105; Schneider 3.5/135;Enna 3.5/135; Zeiss 4/135;Isco 4/135; Enna 4.5/240 | Olympus: 3.5/28;1.4/50;3.5/135 | Rikenon: 1.7/50;35-70 | Rollei/Voigtländer: 1.4/55;1.8/50 | Russian: Peleng3.5/8; Zenitar2.8/16; MIR2.8/37; Volna2.8/50; Industar2.8/50; Industar3.5/50; Industar3.5/5cm; Helios2/50; Helios2/58; MIR38 3.5/65; Volna2.8/80; Jupiter2/85; Kaleinar2.8/100;Tair2.8/135; Jupiter3.5/135; Jupiter4/135; Telear3.5/200; Jupiter4/200; Tair4.5/300;RF: Jupiter2.8/35;Industar2.8/53 | Sigma: 28-85;28-105(AF);17-70(AF) | Soligor: 28-105;35-200;70-220 | Tamron: 2.5/24;2.5/135;60-300;70-210 | Tokina: 28-105;80-200;12-24(AF);70-210(AF) | Vivitar: 3.5/17;2/24;2/28;2.5/28;2.8/28 | Yashica: 2/5cm | Other Japanese: Cosina3.8/20; Albinar2.8/28; Porst1.8/35; Beroflex 8/500; Spiratone28-200; Maginon70-210
Green are the lenses I shoot the most.
More? http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=65

[Maxim]

LucisPictor - this Tair is in good hands, I use it with respect and care I have also an original leather case (looks like the Thermos flask) and set of filters. I am interested when my copy was produced...
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Regards,
Hubert
E-300 + ZD 14-42 + Tessar 5cm/3.5 + Mamiya 55/1.4 + Primoplan V 58/1.9 + Biotar 5.8cm/2 + MC Helios 44M-6 58/2 + Trioplan 100/2.8 + Trioplan V 100/2.8 + "Olympia" Sonnar 180/2.8 + Telemegor 400/5.5
www.galeria.kw.pl

[Orio]

Funny, my Tair11A also begins with a double zero (004891).

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ХОРИОС-61 ( ώρεος ) : Lens sana in corpore sano
www.timelessphotography.eu
www.oriofoto.net

Read list of equipment HERE