Difference between revisions of "Pentax"

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(Reconfigure Asahi/Pentax relationship)
(recategorized, changes to the introduction)
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'''Pentax''' is the name given to the early 35mm [[SLR]] cameras made by the [[Asahi Optical Co.]] of Japan. This camera, originally called the [[Asahiflex I]], was a technological breakthrough in several ways, and became one of the most popular 35mm cameras ever. Among other innovations, Asahi was the first company to solve the problem of mirror blackout which had plagued SLRs up to that time and prevented them from overtaking [[rangefinder]] cameras in popularity. This was the problem that early SLRs left the mirror in its "up" position until the camera was wound for the next shot, blacking out the viewfinder.
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'''Pentax''' was originally the name of a 35mm [[SLR]] camera model made by the [[Asahi Optical Co.]] of Japan, and it eventually became the name of the company.
  
The name Pentax is derived from the shape of the prism used in SLR cameras ("'''Penta'''prism refle'''x'''").
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The first 35mm SLR by Asahi, called the [[Asahiflex]], and its Pentax successors introduced technological breakthroughs in several ways, and became one of the most popular 35mm cameras ever. Among other innovations, Asahi was the first company to solve the problem of mirror blackout which had plagued SLRs up to that time and prevented them from overtaking [[rangefinder]] cameras in popularity. Early SLRs left the mirror in its "up" position until the camera was wound for the next shot, blacking out the viewfinder, and the Asahiflex IIb was the first SLR with an instant return mirror.
  
== Digital Cameras ==
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The name Pentax is derived from the shape of the prism used in SLR cameras ('''Penta'''prism), and the final ending is reminiscent of the [[Zeiss Ikon]] [[Contax rangefinder]] model. In fact, the name Pentax was a property of [[Zeiss Ikon]] until they sold it to Asahi Optical Co.
=== SLR Cameras ===
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 +
== Digital ==
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=== SLR ===
 
* [[Pentax MZ-D]] 2000 (prototype, never released)
 
* [[Pentax MZ-D]] 2000 (prototype, never released)
 
* [[Pentax *ist D]] 2003 - still in production
 
* [[Pentax *ist D]] 2003 - still in production
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* Pentax Optio 750z
 
* Pentax Optio 750z
  
== 110 film Cameras==
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== 110 film ==
 
<div class="floatright">http://static.flickr.com/18/22827035_780ebea7e1_t.jpg</div>
 
<div class="floatright">http://static.flickr.com/18/22827035_780ebea7e1_t.jpg</div>
 
''1979-1983 interchangeable lens SLR''
 
''1979-1983 interchangeable lens SLR''
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== 35mm film ==
 
== 35mm film ==
  
=== K-Mount SLR Autofocus ===
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=== K-Mount Autofocus SLR ===
 
* Pentax *ist
 
* Pentax *ist
 
* Pentax MZ-S
 
* Pentax MZ-S
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* Pentax SFXn (SF1n)
 
* Pentax SFXn (SF1n)
  
=== K-Mount SLR Manual Focus ===
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=== K-Mount Manual Focus SLR ===
 
Pentax K series:
 
Pentax K series:
 
* Pentax K2
 
* Pentax K2
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* Pentax ZX-M (MZ-M)
 
* Pentax ZX-M (MZ-M)
  
=== Screw-Mount SLR Cameras ===
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=== Screw-Mount SLR ===
 
<div class="floatright">http://static.flickr.com/27/47712649_8ceda2862b_t.jpg</div>
 
<div class="floatright">http://static.flickr.com/27/47712649_8ceda2862b_t.jpg</div>
 
* [[Pentax (original)|Pentax AP]]
 
* [[Pentax (original)|Pentax AP]]
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* [http://pentaxiste.org/sommaire.php3 Pentaxiste French site]
 
* [http://pentaxiste.org/sommaire.php3 Pentaxiste French site]
  
[[Category:Pentax|*]]
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[[Category: Camera makers]]
[[Category:35mm cameras]]
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[[Category: Lens makers]]
[[Category:35mm SLR cameras]]
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[[Category: Japan]]
[[Category:Japanese cameras]]
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[[Category: Pentax|*]]
[[Category:P]]
 

Revision as of 20:59, 9 March 2006

Pentax was originally the name of a 35mm SLR camera model made by the Asahi Optical Co. of Japan, and it eventually became the name of the company.

The first 35mm SLR by Asahi, called the Asahiflex, and its Pentax successors introduced technological breakthroughs in several ways, and became one of the most popular 35mm cameras ever. Among other innovations, Asahi was the first company to solve the problem of mirror blackout which had plagued SLRs up to that time and prevented them from overtaking rangefinder cameras in popularity. Early SLRs left the mirror in its "up" position until the camera was wound for the next shot, blacking out the viewfinder, and the Asahiflex IIb was the first SLR with an instant return mirror.

The name Pentax is derived from the shape of the prism used in SLR cameras (Pentaprism), and the final ending is reminiscent of the Zeiss Ikon Contax rangefinder model. In fact, the name Pentax was a property of Zeiss Ikon until they sold it to Asahi Optical Co.

Digital

SLR

Point and Shoot Cameras

  • Pentax Optio 330
  • Pentax Optio 330 RS
  • Pentax Optio 450
  • Pentax Optio S
  • Pentax Optio 33L
  • Pentax Optio 750z

110 film

22827035_780ebea7e1_t.jpg

1979-1983 interchangeable lens SLR

35mm film

K-Mount Autofocus SLR

  • Pentax *ist
  • Pentax MZ-S
  • Pentax PZ-1 (Z-1)
  • Pentax PZ-1p (Z-1p)
  • Pentax SF7 (SF10)
  • Pentax SFX (SF1)
  • Pentax SFXn (SF1n)

K-Mount Manual Focus SLR

Pentax K series:

Pentax M series:

Pentax A series:

  • Pentax Super-A, Super Program (USA)
  • Pentax Program-A, Program Plus (USA)
  • Pentax A3, A3000 (USA)

Pentax P series

  • Pentax P3 (P30)
  • Pentax P3n (P30n)
  • Pentax P5 (P50)

Other:

Screw-Mount SLR

47712649_8ceda2862b_t.jpg

Asahiflex SLR

645 Medium Format

Manual Focus

  • Pentax 645

Autofocus

6x7 Medium Format

1969-present

  • Pentax 6x7
  • Pentax 67
  • Pentax 67 II

Links