Dating FSU lenses

O

oscroft

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Is it true that you can date an FSU lens by the first two digits in its serial number? Looking at my lenses it seems plausible...

Old silver I-26 = 63
Old silver J-9 = 61
New black J-12 = 87
New I-61/LD = 94

The only one it doesn't work on is my Fed 50/3.5 = 12
 
is it the first two or the last two? i heard about this too, but i'm still confused due to different "facts".
 
You can date the products of KMZ, Arsenal and Lytkarino by first two digits. You can't do that with FED products, which used some sort of sequential numeration not based on year.
 
You can date the products of KMZ, Arsenal and Lytkarino by first two digits. You can't do that with FED products, which used some sort of sequential numeration not based on year
Click to expand...
Excellent, thanks very much
 
Yep, from what I've read/heard, FEDs are tough. I don't know of any online info that shares serial #s with years produced. Too bad this info isn't available. Possibly someone like Jay or Oleg might have a clue... just don't know. But I'll be watching this thread in hopes of good news.
 
a99% of consumer soviet photo equipment manufactured after 1961 or so is using the first two digits method(Some started earlier like my 1958 zorki and 1959 jupiter 8).
Earlier stuff is different.
Stuff starting with two zeroes are sometimes preproduction runs(I have one of those).
 
Last edited:
Michael I. said:
a99% of consumer soviet photo equipment manufactured after 1961 or so is using the first two digits method(Some started earlier like my 1958 zorki and 1959 jupiter 8).
Earlier stuff is different.
Stuff starting with two zeroes are sometimes preproduction runs(I have one of those).
Click to expand...

I have a few started with 3 zeros. They must be pre-series lenses.:p One of them is a rare Jupiter-6 180/2.8.:D
 
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