Mamiya Sekor 55mm f/1.4 M42 Lens: Damaged Filter Ring and Versions
Originally posted on Instagram. Notes from the repair bench, kept here as a searchable archive. View the original on Instagram
Servicing a 55mm f/1.4 Mamiya Sekor M42 thread mount lens. As you can see in the first photo, the filter threads have been damaged beyond repair by what was most likely someone taking a tool (pliers?) and “straightening” the threads. I had to remove the filter ring to do repairs to the focus mechanism. Although I hate to use destructive measures, in this case I did need to cut out the damage in order to remove the name ring and filter ring. Of course, I only do this if I have new replacement parts available which I did. The new filter ring is seen to the right of the lens in the first photo.
Speaking of Mamiya 55mm f/1.4 lenses in M42 mount, I have seen four variations. In the third photo: lower left is original chrome, upper left is black with silver on front edge of filter ring, upper right is all black and lower right is the last model with silver on the front edge of the filter ring. All versions have a seven element lens design with the last version having a slightly different rear lens group and different coatings (there is a purple coating seen in the lens). All are excellent lenses.
