In my last article I introduced the Olympus Zuiko 85mm and compared its properties to my other two 85mm lenses. In my next article I will describe the optical formulas employed by Olympus.
In this post I'll explore a mystery that haunts this lens. Various writers claim that there are from two to four different variants. They don't agree on the particulars beyond the important fact that there were two different optical designs. Early lenses used 6 elements in 4 groups while later lenses used 5 elements in 4 groups. Photographers enjoy the original for its classic soft portraiture and claim the latter has superior sharpness and aberration correction.
My goal is to sort out the confusion. Further information or corrections are welcome!
Possible variants of the OM 85mm
What are the possible variations? I will describe these using the exact markings found on the front inner ring.
V1
Olympus OM-SYSTEM F.Zuiko AUTO-T 1:2 f=85mm
This first design, released in 1972, is well documented and is not in question. This is referred to as the "silver nose" after the chrome rim. I guess that makes all other variants "black nose"... but no-one calls them that. The glass is single-coated.
Note that the first letter of the Zuiko designation tells you how many elements were used in the design. Thus F.Zuiko means six elements, F being the sixth letter of the alphabet. Subsequent iterations of the OM line removed this designation.
V0
Olympus OM-SYSTEM F.Zuiko AUTO-T 1:2 f=85mm
Olympus OM-SYSTEM F.Zuiko MC AUTO-T 1:2 f=85mm
The same lens as V1 with a black nose. I am numbering these variants with a zero since (spoiler!) there appears to be no physical evidence that they exist. The "MC" designation indicates multi-coating.
V2
Olympus OM-SYSTEM Zuiko AUTO-T 1:2 f=85mm
The same name as V1 but with the "Z." missing. Perhaps released in 1979. Likely multicoated though it has no "MC" label.
V3
Olympus OM-SYSTEM Zuiko MC AUTO-T 1:2 f=85mm
Perhaps also released in 1979 or maybe the MC designation was added at some later date. Might be identical to V2 except for this label.
V4
Olympus OM-SYSTEM Zuiko AUTO-T 85mm 1:2
Here the MC designation is dropped but the multi-coating has been improved to a newer “NMC” coating, whatever that stands for! Note the labelling "85mm 1:2" that is different from all prior versions. This is the one I own.
Different sources claim that different variants exist. These will now be outlined.
Olypedia is a crowd-sourced encyclopedia developed by the members of the German Olympus forum and Reinhard Wagner. This source claims that there are no extant copies of V0, even though other lenses in the OM line do have such a variant. I take this claim as definitive. They provide photos of serials 106xxx and 113xxx for V1.
Olypedia also claim V3, illustrated with serial numbers 200xxx and 209xxx. But this last example has the wrong inscription and so belongs elsewhere.
V4 is claimed as the first 5/4 variant, illustrated with serials 208xx, 212xxx, and 216xxx, alongside a 201xxx that is obviously in the wrong category (wrong inscription again).
If we put the images into the correct categories, we have V3 spanning serials 200xxx to 201xxx while V4 spans 208xx to 216xxx.
The Olympus OM Blog (author: Matthew) credits Konrad Beck for serial number information while claiming the following variants, without being explicit concerning markings. V1 with serials 100xxx to 115xxx. V3 with serials 200xxx to 204xxx. V4 with serials 204xxx to 210xxx and above. These do not contradict the previous serial information.
This source also claims a V0 with MC marking and serials 116xxx to 130xxx in 5/4 design. I will assume an error here, and that this is instead the V2, since no other variant could exist in this serial number gap.
LENS DB (author: Evgenii Artemov) is a reputed site that compiles information from manufacturer publications. This source lists V1 and V0 together as the original 1972 release in 6/4 design and V3 and V4 together as the 1979 release in 5/4 design. An image of V3 has serial 203xxx.
Actual variants of the OM 85mm?
So, there are contradictions and confusions. Nonetheless, the most logical summation follows.
V1. Olympus OM-SYSTEM F.Zuiko AUTO-T 1:2 f=85mm
1972, "silver nose", 6/4 design, single-coated, 100xxx to 115xxx
V2. Olympus OM-SYSTEM Zuiko AUTO-T 1:2 f=85mm
1979, multi-coated despite lack of MC, 6/4 or possibly 5/4 design, 116xxx to 130xxx
V3. Olympus OM-SYSTEM Zuiko MC AUTO-T 1:2 f=85mm
after 1979, multi-coated with MC, 5/4 design, 200xxx to 201xxx
V4. Olympus OM-SYSTEM Zuiko AUTO-T 85mm 1:2
after 1979, NMC coating, 5/4 design, 208xx to 216xxx
If the large gap in serial numbers indicates a redesign, then V2 is more likely the 6/4 design. Maybe. We could get confirmation if anyone has disassembled that specific variant, or from a lens service manual.
Some photographs
Yes, I will eventually post photos I've taken with this lens. But in the meantime...
The famed portrait photographer Jane Bown (1925–2014) was known for her black-and-white work for The Observer. She almost exclusively shot the Olympus 85mm at 1/60 and f/2.8 using natural light. View that claim and her portfolio.
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