Pentax

Pentax was founded in 1919 as Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō G.K. (旭光学工業㈾). It was originally an optical company, beginning by making glasses under the Aoco brand (acronym of Asahi Optical Company), and made its first Aoco projection lens in 1923.

The company changed status in 1938, becoming Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō K.K. (旭光学工業㈱) or Asahi Optical Co. based in Tokyo, Japan.

The first camera produced by Asahi was the Asahiflex, that was also the first Japanese 35mm film 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).

On November 27, 2019, Pentax celebrated the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co., the original manufacturer of PENTAX-branded products.

Ricoh XR Rikenon vs SMC Pentax-M 3.5/28mm

Side by Side

Ricoh XR Rikenon & SMC Pentax-M 3.5/28mm side view

Ricoh XR Rikenon vs SMC Pentax-M 2.8/35mm

Side by Side

Ricoh XR Rikenon & SMC Pentax-M 2.8/35mm side

Pentax MX black

SMC Pentax-M 2.8/35mm

Pentax MX black, SMC Pentax-M 2.8/35mm

Pentax SP black, 1964

Serial number 1000001

Pentax SP black SN 1000001 year 1964

Black & White Nature: AGFA Superpan, Pentax 1.8/55mm

Pentax MX SLR camera

Pentax MX AGFA Superpan 200

Black & White Landscapes: Agfa Copex Rapid, Ricoh XR Rikenon 1.4/50mm

Pentax MX SLR camera

Pentax MX Ricoh XR Rikenon f1.4 50mm Afga Copex Rapid Neofin Blue 2016

Black & White Nature: Agfa Copex Rapid, Ricoh XR Rikenon 1.4/50mm

Pentax MX SLR camera

Agfa Copex Rapid Ricoh XR Rikenon Pentax MX Tetenal Neofin blue

Pentax MX chrome

The legendary 1970's compact 35mm film SLR from Pentax

Black & White Nature: Agfa Copex Rapid, Cosinon-W 2/28mm

Pentax MX SLR camera

Agfa Copex Rapid Pentax MX Cosinon-W f2 28mm Cafenol

Black & White Nature: Agfa Copex Rapid, Pentax-M 3.5/28mm

Pentax MX SLR camera

Agfa Copex Rapid SMC Pentax-M 3.5/28mm Pentax MX Tetenal Neofin blue