My two Limited lenses are as follows:
77 silver # 0002812 purchased new in Aug. 2001
31 silver # 0018948 purchased new in Jul. 2002
Slowly catching up,
Cesar
Panama City, Florida
-----Original Message-----
From: Joseph Tainter [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 9:53 PM
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
