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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.
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How many versions of the Pentacon auto 1.8/50 are there?
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I am curious after receiving my 2nd Pentacon auto 1.8/50 lens...do we know how many different versions are out there?
My latest version has the little Pentacon symbol on the front name plate as well as the Pentacon name,no MC coating and the mount end has the zebra look of my Helios.The blades are a lot more fancier and it has a funny little plastic push button to close the aperture(I assume its an A/M or preset button). I will post some images tomorrow.
It needs a clean as the blades are slow and the inside front glass looks oily / hazy.


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There are 3: yours is the first, a rebranded Meyer Oreston. The next models had multi-coating (yours is single coated)
Also: the next models have an auto/manual switch.


Generations of the Pentacon by TrueLoveOne, on Flickr


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Does the Pentacon Electric MC 1.8/50 count as a different version? If so, there are at least 4 versions.


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skida wrote:
Does the Pentacon Electric MC 1.8/50 count as a different version? If so, there are at least 4 versions.


I think yes and this lens labelled to another vendors also like Revuenon and I remember for another strange one, but not come into my mind.


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There is also MC version with thin focus ring - 3 rows of knurls instead of 5.


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I'm pretty sure there are single coated versions with all black finish (no light aperture ring)


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That's all true. I have them all. But the differences are merely cosmetical. Optics are the same since they got the multi-coating.


Pentacon 1.8/50 electric by TrueLoveOne, on Flickr


Rebranded lenses 1 by TrueLoveOne, on Flickr

And indeed, there's one "first version" completely black, and one with the single "zebra" striped ring.
There is a Meyer Oreston that looks exactly like the OP's Pentacon, just with different nametag.

And this is the original, the Meyer Oreston:

Meyer Optik Oreston by TrueLoveOne, on Flickr


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Attila wrote:
skida wrote:
Does the Pentacon Electric MC 1.8/50 count as a different version? If so, there are at least 4 versions.


I think yes and this lens labelled to another vendors also like Revuenon and I remember for another strange one, but not come into my mind.


Pentaflex maybe.


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Yes, indeed and probably one more with interesting colored label, but I am not sure.


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I would not mind if you took the time and posted the different cosmetic variations of this lens here.
#1

#2

#3

#4 Back view of the blades

#5 front view of the blades


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This is the other version note the serial number for this lens is on the side.... 7828422
#1

#2

#3

#4 Front view of blades

#5 mount view of blades


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German Democratic Republic fully written on label, wow that is odd variant! It must have been a patriotic year Smile.


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I love a good pentacon. I've had all three, love em all the same (can't determine any difference you see :p). They are big, quick, just like em. I too haven't seen that name plate with it spelt out... Oh ebaaaaaay :p