List of Pentax Milestones |
Click on thumbnails
on left to enlarge images |
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1951 - Asahiflex I
First Japanese 35mm SLR (prototype). |
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1952 - Asahiflex I
First Japanese 35mm SLR (mass production). |
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1954 - Asahiflex IIB
World's first successful instant-return mirror. |
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1957 - Asahi Pentax (AP)
World's first 35mm SLR with right-hand rapid-wind lever. World's first 35mm SLR with
microprisms on focusing screen. First Japanese SLR with fixed pentaprism. First pentaprism
SLR from Asahi Opt. Co. and first example of stylish and rational design in a pentaprism
SLR. This SLR set industry standard about styling and controls layout, then copied by
Japanese and German industry. photo
courtesy Boris Jamchtchik |
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1960 - Spot-Matic (prototype)
World's first SLR featuring TTL metering. World's first SLR featuring spot metering. |
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1961 - Spot Exposure Meter (3°/21°)
World's first handheld spot exposure meter. A derivative of the Spot-Matic technology. |
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1964 - Spotmatic
The most successful and copied SLR camera of the Sixties. This SLR set industry standard,
copied by Japanese and German photographic industry. |
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1966 - Metalica II (prototype)
World's first aperture priority automatic exposure, TTL metering SLR. Bayonet mount and
electronic shutter. |
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1966 - Memorica (prototype)
World's first TTL shutter priority automatic exposure SLR. Bayonet mount and electronic
shutter. |
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1969 - Asahi Pentax 6x7
World's first SLR of 6x7 format. Asahi's first mass-produced camera featuring bayonet
mount and electronic shutter. |
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1971 - Super-Multi-Coating
World's first multi-layer anti-reflective coating on consumer lenses. This patented
technology made possible high-quality wide-range zoom lenses.
All competitors owe Asahi Opt. Co. this technological breakthrough. |
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1971 - Honeywell Spotmatic IIa
World's first integrated coupling between camera meter and dedicated flash units. An
important step toward modern TTL flash control. |
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1971 - Electro Spotmatic
World's first mass -produced aperture priority automatic exposure SLR. Another industry
standard, soon or later copied by all competitors. |
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1975 - SMC Takumar f/3.5 15mm ultra-wide angle lens
World's first rectilinear ultra-wide angle lens (one aspherical element). Another myth,
which all other competitor lenses have to be compared to. |
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1976 - MX
World's most compact professional SLR camera and system. First GPD meter cells. Another
excellent example of Pentax styling, easy operation, no-nonsense camera. |
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1976 - ME
World's first auto-only SLR. World's most compact amateur SLR camera. First GPD meter
cells. |
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1979
- Auto 110
World's first and only SLR system of 110 format, featuring interchangeable lenses
(including zoom), winder, flash units, various accessories. |
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1980
- LX
World's first modular SLR with special sealing and gaskets to prevent dust and
moisture entering the body. Exposure meter still unequalled today at low light levels. |
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1981 - ME-F
World's first mass-produced Autofocus SLR system. Introduced four years before the widely
acclaimed Minolta 7000. |
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1981
- 10 Million SLR's
Asahi Opt. Co. was the first manufacturer to produce 10 million SLR cameras. |
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1984 - 645
World's first multi-mode medium format SLR. |
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1985 - P30
World's first SLR featuring DX coding contacts. It marked the return of the no-nonsense
concept in modern SLR design. |
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1986
- Zoom 70
World's first zoom compact. European Compact Camera of the Year. |
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1987 - SFX
World's first AF SLR with built-in flash and IR beam for auto focusing in dim light and
darkness. The most complete and fast focusing AF SLR of its era. |
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1991 - FA-series lenses
World's first lenses featuring power-zoom and focusing distance
measurement.
Introduced years before the widely acclaimed Nikon D-series. |
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1992 - Ghostless Coating
World's first and unique anti-reflective coating allowing no flare at all in daylight and
negligible flare in nighttime shots with direct light entering the lens. It is employed on
some critical elements in FA* and Limited series lenses. |
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1993
- Z-20p
World's first SLR featuring "Panorama" format. Special version for the
Japanese home market of the world model Z-20. |
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1995 - MZ-5
World's smallest AF SLR. World's first AF SLR with retro stylish design
and user-friendly controls. An excellent combination of high-tech and easy operation.
Pentax set a new trend again. Double-awarded European Camera of the Year. |
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1997 - 645N
World's first AF medium format SLR. Advanced 35mm style features, operation and
user-friendly controls brought to the medium format. Camera Grand Prix 1998. |