Pentax
image by wolf4max (Image rights) |
Pentax is a Japanese lens and camera maker, founded in 1919. Currently owned by Ricoh Corp.
Contents
History
The company that would become Pentax was founded in 1919 as Asahi Kogaku Kogyo G.K. (?????㈾). It was originally an optical company, beginning by making glasses under the Aoco brand (presumably the acronym of Asahi Optical Company), and made its first Aoco projection lens in 1923.[1] It began to produce camera lenses in the early 1930s, under the impulsion of the CEO Kajiwara Kumao (????) and his closest collaborator Matsumoto Saburo (????).[2] These lenses were not marked as made by Asahi, and were produced lenses for various camera models made by other makers. From 1933, the company produced Optor and meniscus achromat lenses designed at Rokuoh-sha for Konishiroku models. From the mid-1930s to the end of World War II, the company was also the main supplier of Molta, then Chiyoda Kogaku Seiko (predecessors of Minolta), whose cameras were equipped with Coronar and Promar lenses.[3]
The company changed status in 1938, becoming Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K. (?????㈱) or Asahi Optical Co. based in Tokyo.[4]
The first camera produced by Asahi was the Asahiflex, that was also the first Japanese 35mm SLR, made as a prototype in 1951 and released in 1952. One of the models of the Asahiflex series, the Asahiflex IIb, was the first 35mm SLR to have an instant-return mirror, thus solving the problem of mirror blackout which had plagued SLRs up to that time (early SLRs left the mirror in its "up" position until the camera was wound for the next shot, blacking out the viewfinder).
A series of lenses bearing the name Takumar in honor of Kajiwara Takuma , brother of the founder, were developed for the Asahiflex, which used the 37mm screw mount (1952). Takumar was carried over to the 35mm M42x1 mount and 6x7 cameras and went through a series of iterations as build quality and coatings were developed with names such as Super-Takumar, Super-Multi-Coated Takumar, and SMC Takumar until 1975.
SLRs Pentax 67 and Pentax MX image by Colton Allen (Image rights) |
Pentax was originally the name of another 35mm SLR camera model, introduced in 1957 and successor of the Asahiflex. The name is derived from the shape of the prism used in SLR cameras (pentaprism), and the ending deliberately looks like the Zeiss Ikon Contax. In fact, the name Pentax was a property of Zeiss Ikon (West) until they sold it to Asahi Optical Co., maybe strategically because ZI's East-German concurrent had relabeled its Contax S SLRs to Pentacon.
Early Pentax cameras were sold stamped with the name "Tower" for Sears Roebuck &Co. And many others have the name "Heiland" as it was the importer and distributor in the USA, later acquired by "Honeywell", until the partnership ended in 1976. These cameras were exactly the same as the ones stamped with the Asahi name. Pentax was at the time one of the big Japanese camera manufacturers, given their success with 35mmSLR cameras such as the Asahi Flex, The Pentax and the Spotmatic line. In 1969, Pentax introduced a complete camera systems for rollfilm, which looks live an overgrown SLR, caller Pentax 67. Later it introduced its tiny and popular Pentax Auto 110 for type 110 film cassettes.
Asahi Optical Co adopted the M42x1 lens mount in 1957, for the successful Asahi Pentax (AP) camera and continued using it in the successful S/H line, and in the Spotmatics. By 1975 Pentax tried to take the lead with a new lens bayonet, which overcame the limitations of the screw mount, and maintained the same flange/film distance as the M42 screw mount, thus making it easier for lens makers to offer lenses for both mounts. In fact K-mount should have been an open bayonet standard, and a handful of other renowned camera makers also used it, among those Pentax's K-mount: Zenit, Topcon, Chinon, Cosina,Ricoh, Samsung. But most important: The mount was further developed and still in use for Pentax's digital SLRs and even for one of its CSCs.
The company kept the name Asahi Optical Co. until it became Pentax Corporation (??????㈱) in 2002. After successful prototyping since 2000 the company launched its first DSLR in 2003, with Pentax K mount. A merger with the Hoya Corporation was completed on October 1, 2007. The new name is Hoya Pentax HD Corporation (HOYA??????HD㈱).[5] In summer 2011 Hoya announced that it will sell the imaging branch of Pentax to Ricoh[6] while it will keep the medical branch of Pentax for itself.
Auto 110 Pentax' smallest SLR image by Vagn Sloth-Madsen (Image rights) |
In July, 2011 Ricoh announced its intentions to purchase the Pentax photographic-equipment business from Hoya (who, however, will retain some Pentax-branded medical product lines, etc)[7]. In August of 2013, the name of the company has been changed to Ricoh Imaging. The Ricoh branding are to be used on compact cameras while Pentax branded products will be on DSLR, interchangeable lens compact cameras and binoculars.
Digital
SLR
- Pentax MZ-D (2000) prototype, never released
- Pentax *ist D (2003)
- Pentax *ist DS (2004)
- Pentax *ist DL (2005) also sold by Samsung as GX-1L
- Pentax *ist DS2 (2005) also sold by Samsung as GX-1S
- Pentax *ist DL2 (2006)
- Pentax K100D (2006)
- Pentax K110D (2006)
- Pentax K10D (2006) also sold by Samsung as Samsung GX-10
- Pentax AP 50th Anniv (2007) concept, never released [8]
*ist image by F ??? (Image rights) |
- Pentax K100D Super (2007)
- Pentax K20D (2008) also sold by Samsung as Samsung GX-20
- Pentax K200D (2008)
- Pentax K-m (2008) also sold as Pentax K2000D in North America
- Pentax K-7 (2009)
- Pentax K-x (2009)
- Pentax K-5 (2010)
- Pentax K-r (2010)
- Pentax K-30 (2012)
- Pentax K-5 II and K-5IIs (2012)
- Pentax K-500 (2013)
- Pentax K-50 (2013)
- Pentax K-S1 (2014)
- Pentax K-S2 (2015)
- Pentax K-3 (2015)
- Pentax K-70 (2016)
- Pentax K-1 (2016) - Full frame
- Pentax K-P (2017)
- Pentax K-3II (2017)
- Pentax K-1II (2018) - Full frame
- Pentax K-3III (2021)
Medium Format SLR
- Pentax 645D (2010)
- Pentax 645Z (2014)
Interchangeable-lens compact
- Pentax Q (2011)
Point and Shoot Cameras
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1996 2000 2001
2002
2003
2004
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2005
2006
2007
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2008
2009
2010
2011
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35mm film
Asahiflex SLR
Screw-mount Pentax SLR
- Pentax AP (Asahi Pentax camera)
- Pentax K
- Pentax S
- Pentax S1 / H1
- Pentax S1a / H1a
- Pentax S2 / H2
- Pentax S3 / H3
- Pentax SV / H3v
The Spotmatic Series
These cameras were very successful, with a stop-down TTL light metering system that was simple, precise, and at affordable prices. Together with the Takumar lenses, it was one of the best selling cameras of the time. The family of cameras included:
- Spot-Matic prototype (1960)
- Pentax Spotmatic (1964)
- Pentax SL (1968)
- Pentax Spotmatic II (1971) and IIa for the American market
- Pentax Spotmatic F (1973) In combination with S-M-C Takumar lenses, allowed for fully-open TTL
With the advent of electronics, Asahi developed a camera that used that new technology; the Electro-Spotmatic had "electronic shutter" that was fully automatic and without steps.
- Pentax Electro Spotmatic (1971)
- Pentax ES (1972)
- Pentax ES II (1973)
Asahi also had budget models for entry level enthusiats
- Pentax SP500 (1971)
- Pentax SP1000 (1974)
K-mount manual focus SLR
Pentax K series
These cameras were launched in 1975, following the success of the Spotmatic by replacing the M42 mount with K-mount while maintaining the same flange to film distance. Despite being the one with less features, and due to its simplicity and robustness, the K1000 became the eternal "student" camera.
Pentax M series
Innovation in the form of miniaturization and cameras that were more compact, lighter and reliable was introduced as the M line.
- Pentax MX
- Pentax ME
- Pentax ME Super
- Pentax ME-F
- Pentax MV
- Pentax MV1
- Pentax MG
- Pentax MF
- Pentax MF-1, scientific use
Classical Pentax-Motor-cameras (KX, K2DMD, MX, LX) image by wolf4max (Image rights) |
Pentax A series:
These cameras introduced electronic communication between the lens and the camera to allow for automatic exposure (P-mode). Lenses with electronic pins (SMC-Pentax-A) were introduced to complement these cameras.
- Pentax Super A, Super Program (USA)
- Pentax Program A, Program Plus (USA)
- Pentax A3, A3000 (USA)
Pentax P series:
Pentax LX
- Pentax LX (1980) Professional grade camera LX refers to the 60th Anniversary of Asahi Optical
- Pentax LX 2000 - Special edition for the year 2000
K-mount autofocus SLR
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SF series
- Pentax SFX (SF1) (1987)
- Pentax SF7/SF10 (1988)
- Pentax SFXn/SF1n (1989)
Z/PZ series
- Pentax Z-1/PZ-1 (1991)
- Pentax Z-10/PZ-10 (1991)
- Pentax Z-20/PZ-20 (1993)
- Pentax Z-50p (1993)
- Pentax Z-5 (1994)
- Pentax Z-5p (1995)
- Pentax Z-1p/PZ-1p (1995)
- Pentax Z-70/PZ-70 (1995)
MZ/ZX series
- Pentax MZ-5/ZX-5 (1996)
- Pentax MZ-10/ZX-10 (1996)
- Pentax MZ-3 (1997)
- Pentax MZ-5N/ZX-5N (1997)
- Pentax MZ-50/ZX-50 (1997)
- Pentax MZ-7/ZX-7 (1999)
- Pentax MZ-30/ZX-30 (2000)
- Pentax MZ-S (2001)
- Pentax MZ-6/ZX-L (2001)
- Pentax MZ-60/ZX-60 (2002)
- Pentax *ist (2003)
- Pentax MZ-M/ZX-M (1997) - The oddball in thsese generation, a consumer camera that ahd all manual controls.
Compact
- Pentax Espio IQZoom series (e.g. Espio, Espio 928, Espio 115, Mini, IQZoom 135M Date, Zoom60-X, Zoom95-WR)
- Pentax PC series (e.g. PC-33, PC35 AF-M, PC-300 Date, PC-606W)
- Pentax Mini Sport 35AF (35mm, f/3.8)
- Pentax Pino series (e.g. Pino 35M)
- Pentax Sport (DX)
645 Medium Format
1969-2010
Manual Focus
Autofocus
6×7 Medium Format
1969-2010
110 film
1979-1983 interchangeable lens SLR
APS film
- Pentax efina
- Pentax efina AF50 (24mm, f/4.5)
- Pentax efina J
- Pentax efina T
Lenses
Asahi Optical began as a lens fabricator, after WWII they also entered the camera business and with the introduction of the Asahiflex they also introduced their own line of lenses giving them the name Takumar. Takumar lenses were used in 35mm, and the Pentax 6x7 until 1975, when the badge was repalced with smc-Pentax. Takumar lenses became legendary in the 60s, with millions produced and many are still used today in digital cameras.
Asahiflex (37mm) Mount
- Standard lenses:
- Takumar 50mm f/3.5 (3 different versions)
- Takumar 58mm f/2.4
- Telephotos:
- Takumar 83mm f/1.9 (both in Asahiflex and M42 with adapter mount)
- Takumar 100mm f/3.5
- Tele-Takumar 135mm f/3.5
- Takumar 135mm f/3.5 (M42 with adapter)
- Takumar 500mm f/5.0
M42-Mount
- type 0 (1957): Takumar-preset: Replaced the older 37mm version of the Takumar line for the original AP cameras
- type I (1959): Auto-Takumar: A lever is added to allow for full aperture focusing before shooting, for the Pentax K camera
- type II (1962): Super-Takumar: Fully-automatic diaphragm that does not needs to be cocked manually, and a Auto/Manual switch on the lens are present. Single layer of coating, however some later versions are multi coated as Asahi's coating technology was improving. These lenses were made popular with the success of the Spotmatic cameras. The famous 50mm f/1.4 was introduced at this time.
- type III (1971): Super-Multi-Coated Takumar: A 7 layer coating was applied for these lenses, the best available at the time, with improvements in contrast and color rendition. A mechanism for open aperture metering with the Spotmatic-F/ES/ES-II is added to the lens.
- type IV: SMC Takumar (1974): Identical optically to type III but uses a rubberized instead of the metal focusing ring, and a different diaphragm ring as a prelude to the change of mount to K-Bayonet.
Wide Angles | Normal | Short - Teleobjectives | Teleobjectives | Zoom and Special lenses |
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K-Mount
K-mount was introduced in 1975, and is still in use as of 2021. During this time Pentax have produced many different types of lens for the K-mount. They are summarized in the table below. [9]
Type | Focus | Focal Lengths Produced | Zooms/Primes | Lens Coverage | Auto Aperture? | Aperture Ring? |
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K Lenses | Manual | 15mm-2000mm | Primes | 36x24mm (35mm film) | No | Yes |
M Lenses | Manual | 20mm-2000mm | Both | 36x24mm (35mm film) | No | Yes |
A Lenses | Manual | 15mm-1200mm | Both | 36x24mm (35mm film) | Yes | Yes |
F Lenses | Screw-drive Autofocus | 17mm-600mm | Both | 36x24mm (35mm film) | Yes | Yes |
FA J Lenses | Screw-drive Autofocus | 18mm-300mm | Zooms | 36x24mm (35mm film) | Yes | No |
FA Lenses | Screw-drive Autofocus | 20mm-600mm | Both | 36x24mm (35mm film) | Yes | Yes |
D-FA Lenses | Screw-drive Autofocus | 50mm, 100mm (macros) | Primes | 36x24mm (35mm film) | Yes | Depends on lens |
DA Lenses | Screw-drive / SDM Autofocus | 10mm-560mm | Both | APS-C | Yes | No |
HD-DFA Lenses for the K1 DSLR |
Screw-drive / SDM Autofocus | 10mm-560mm | Both | 26x24mm | Yes | No |
6x7 Mount
645 Mount
Meters
Hand held
- Pentax 1/21 Spotmeter
- Pentax 3/21 Spotmeter
- Pentax Spotmeter II
- Pentax Spotmeter III
- Pentax Spotmeter V
- Pentax Digital Spotmeter
- Pentax Digital Spot V
Asahi lenses on cameras from other makers
Not all examples of the cameras listed below have Asahi lenses.
Lenses not labeled as by Asahi
For Konishiroku:
- no-name meniscus achromat, on the Pearlette
- Optor, on the Idea, Ohca, Pearlette, Baby Pearl and Semi Pearl
For the predecessors of Minolta:
- Actiplan (origin unconfirmed), on the Minolta and Auto Minolta
- Coronar, on the Happy, Minolta Vest, Minolta Six, Semi Minolta (I) and II
- Promar, on the Minoltaflex (I), Minoltaflex Automat, Auto Semi Minolta and Auto Press Minolta
- Promar SII 75mm f/3.5 on the Semi Minolta P
The Heliostar lenses were perhaps assembled by Asahi (see the discussion there).
Lenses labeled as by Asahi
Notes
- ↑ Yazawa, p.12 of Camera Collectors' News no.247.
- ↑ Yazawa, p.12 of Camera Collectors' News no.247.
- ↑ The Coronar and Promar lenses are attributed to Asahi in various sources, and this attribution is confirmed by the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens items Lb5, Lb39, Lc9 and N2.
- ↑ Its address in 1943 was Tokyo-to Itabashi-ku Itabashi-cho (?????????). Source: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras").
- ↑ Japanese version of the news release (archived) found in the Hoya official website. The name "HOYA PENTAX HD Corporation" is written in capital letters.
- ↑ Summer 2011: Hoya confirms sale rumours.
- ↑ Hoya press release (archived) (PDF) on sale of Pentax assets to Ricoh
- ↑ Pentax Classic DSLR concept at Watch Impress
- ↑ Evolution of the K-Mount at the Pentax K page
Bibliography
- "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7.
- Yazawa Seiichiro (?????). "Renzu no hanashi (157) Happi" (?????[157]????, Lens story [157] The Happy). In Camera Collectors' News no.247 (January 1998). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.11–4. (On the beginning of the company.)
Links
Official websites
- Pentax Imaging Company Official website (including the lens product list)
- Official Pentax documentation. Download manuals for cameras and lenses
- Pentax history at www.pentax.com
User groups and community websites
- Asahi Optical Historical Club - International community of Pentax enthusiasts
- Pentax Day - annual gathering of Pentax enthusiasts
- Pentax Discussion Mailing List - view the list archive online or subscribe to the list
- Pentax User Magazine - UK-based magazine website, includes Pentax forum and articles
Technical information
- AntiqueCameras.org Pentax 6x7 Lens Guide - comprehensive list plus eBay listings and lens test reports
- Robertstech Pentax Resources - Lens/camera compatibility, lens filter sizes and service manuals
- Boz's K-Mount Page - technical data about Pentax K-Mount gear
- Stan Halpin's Pentax Lens Page
- Pentax 67 Lens Info
- Frank Mechelhoff's Pentax Page
- Tsuga_Non Pentax pages
- Pentax pages at whitemetal.com
- Listing of most Pentax film camera manuals in color - English PDF format from OrphanCameras.com
- Pentax Point and Shoot film camera instruction manuals
- Pentax Flashes and Light Meter instruction manuals in color at Orphancameras.com
- Asahi/Pentax Cameras Price Guide ~ Compiled prices from recent completed auctions.
- Asahi Pentax Spotmatic at Classic Cameras by RaúlM.
- Collection of Pentax brochures by LordLucan
In French :
- Pentaxiste French site
- Database of Pentax-K compatible and M42 lenses (archived) at Photopentax.com (archived)
- Asahi page at Collection G. Even's site
In Spanish :
- Historia de Pentax Digital at www.pentaxeros.com