My 31mm is 0018583 My 43mm is 0015504 My 77mm is 0004718
All are black. I was thinking that 001=black, 000=silver, and then the 77mm ruined that theory.
I ordered all from Japan in the Spring of 2003.
My next idea is that no more than 9,999 were made of any of the three lenses. They did call it a Limited series. Some numbers start with 000, some with 001, and it just depends on whether the numbering miester saw a portent in the shape of the clouds that morning.
Stan
On Aug 11, 2004, at 8:53 PM, Joseph Tainter wrote:
is here on the desk next to me. Did I get FA 77 number 5344, or is it model 0005 and I got number 344? How many of these did they make?
My FA 31, bought spring 2002, has number 0019057.
This FA 77 was made in Japan. The manual was printed in 2003, and mentions the *ist D and the FAJ lenses. So there was a production run some time last year. I am guessing that it was a short production run in early 2003, since they have become so hard to get.
Will the FA 77 continue to be available, or is it discontinued in all but name? What about other high-quality FA and FA* lenses? I don't know the answer. Consider several facts, though: Pentax is rumored to have stopped all lens assembly in Japan. The lens assembly operation in Vietnam is unable to meet demand for the DA lenses. Now Pentax has announced a whole new line of "digital" lenses, presumably to be assembled in Vietnam.
My conclusion: If there is an FA lens that you think you want, just get it (if you can). Don't take a chance.
Now I'm off to play with my new puppy.
Joe
