M-SYSTEM 55mm F1.2 (Lots of photos)
Found so many photos tonight, actually a few more discovered so I decide to write up this post.
My favourite lens among the Zuiko lineup.
M-SYSTEM vs OM-SYSTEM.
If you are a Zuikoholic, you should know that prior to the release of the OM-1, there was a period which Olympus sold a camera under the name of M-1. The story was that Leica also had their camera system named under this M- pattern so they sued/asked Olympus to rename their cameras. Olympus agreed and renamed it to the more commonly known OM-1 but some M-1s and M-SYSTEM lenses were manufactured and sold. This is the story which you might have heard of or read on some other sites like Mark Dapoz's M-1 information website. I picked up pretty much all of my knowledge on the M-SYSTEM stuffs from Mark's site but sadly I can't reach him and that's why I am starting my own blog.
So for the M-SYSTEM lens groups, there are 9 lenses.
28mm F3.5
35mm F2.8
50mm F1.4
50mm F1.8
55mm F1.2
100mm F2.8
135mm F3.5
200mm F4
75-150mm F4
These lenses are actually all less common compared to the mass produced OM-SYSTEM lenses.
Among these, the 55mm F1.2 and the 75-150mm F4 are probably the rarest of all, with the zoom lens even rarer than the prime. I have been collecting for a few years but I haven't seen an M-SYSTEM 75-150mm F4 for sale so far.
That said though, the M-SYSTEM 55mm F1.2 is equally rare.
Over the years, I managed to locate photos of it and until last year and early this year, I managed to get myself two copies.
And within the Zuiko lens line up, I am simply addicted to the 55mm F1.2. It has fish scale bokeh and is soft at F1.2, to many it's just a cheap lens but I just like the lens with an unknown reason. I quite like the feel of it in the hands, the colour it produces and of course the bokeh. Also how it matches with the M-1. When paired up, it's probably the best looking SLR of all time. MAYBE that's why the old brochures of M-1/OM-1, they have the 55mm F1.2 mounted.
I have gathered some photos of the M-SYSTEM lens and have done some research on the lens.
Now, let's talk about the 55mm F1.2 in detail.
Commonly, people say there are two versions of the lens, the SILVERNOSE and the BLACKNOSE.
In fact, the SILVERNOSE can be further split into M-SYSTEM and OM-SYSTEM silvernose. So I always consider that there are three versions.
My research so far, serials from 100xxx to 135xxx belong to the SILVERNOSE version, while 139xxx onwards they become BLACKNOSE. The interval between 135xxx to 137xxx is something that I still need to figure out.
People say the BLACKNOSE gives better IQ but I see not much difference.
My concern is about the M-SYSTEM to OM-SYSTEM switch.
From my research so far, 100xxx to 1017xx should be the M-SYSTEM version.
I have got a misengraved "M-SYSTE" 55mm F1.2, so over the years I always want to find out whether it is an M-SYSTEM with a missing M at the back OR an OM-SYSTEM with an O and and M missing at the two ends.
I have written a long story, let's look at some photos.
Seriously, the coming three photos are very exciting to me, with two consecutive serials and one not far apart.
The earliest serial I have spotted so far. 100021
Then surprisingly I found tonight...100022
Then 100025 on the M-1 brochure
After that a 100057
Followed by a record of 100177 on Mark's site.
Then a 100181 I found
Then I spotted a 100352
After this is a 100373. This is pretty interesting, it's documented on Mark's site as well as a sale post I spotted some time ago
So this must be a real deal.
Next of course, my long-awaited purchase 100377. It's a very lucky encounter!
After this, I saw online a 100493
Followed by a... probably 100539 if I read correctly
Then a 100584 on Mark's site.
After this, I haven't got any photos for the range of 1006xx to 1011xx so far. Yet I am sure there must be some floating around the market.
The next one I spotted is a 101241
Then a 101279 documented on Mark's site.
Next, is my precious misengraved "M-SYSTE" 55mm F1.2 101315. I always think it's the rarest of the rare.
I have been wondering why this would happen and as mentioned above, I have no idea where this lens fits in, should it be the M-SYSTEM range or the OM-SYSTEM range.
Yet, after spotting the next copy, the 101547, I think I have got the answer. Mine should be in the M-SYSTEM batch. I still don't understand why attention detailed Japanese could let the misengraved lens into the market. However, Nikon also has the Nocf Nikkor which is sky-priced so anything could happen. For the misengraved lens, I could only locate one piece of information about that. The purchase is just another unbelievable encounter.
So to what serial does this M-SYSTEM batch end? I still have no idea.
The highest number serial I can find is the 101753
I can't clearly remember if I spotted one in 102xxx range but I am pretty sure that when it gets to 103xxx it becomes the OM-SYSTEM version.
According to Mark's M-1 information site, there's approximately 1200 units of this lens. I would say the number is pretty accurate, with OM probably dropping certain serials within the range and some prototypes of the lens, I guess 1200-1500 units of this version would be a decent estimate.
This lens actually has no difference to the other Silvernose 55mm F1.2, it's probably only me who is so addicted to such thing. However, it's a wonderful feeling to a Zuikoholic like me to locate these relatively rarer versions.
If you happen to have a copy of these M-SYSTEM version 55mm F1.2, do let me know. I am always interested in documenting it or if you are willing to part with it, I might be able to expand my collection.
That's a very long read, hope you find it informative.
Cheers!