Even though many today consider Pentax as a niche player in the camera industry, many of the most important innovations in camera history have carried this brand name - Pentax. And the innovation continues – with an upcoming analog camera for new generations of photographers who like to shoot with film instead of memory cards!
Let's rewind in camera history - to the point at which the forerunners of today's Pentax cameras saw the light of day.
The period around 1950 marked a significant turning point for the Japanese photographic industry. After a decline during the war years, the industry experienced a resurgence and emerged as a major exporter. One of the key factors contributing to this revival was the sale of cameras to the occupation forces, who had a considerably higher disposable income than the Japanese population. These cameras, particularly those from companies like Nikon and Canon, impressed journalists and photographers who were stationed in the Far East during the Korean War. They were particularly drawn to the lenses and camera bodies, which were seen as excellent alternatives to the Leica and Contax cameras they were using at the time. It was against this backdrop that Asahi Optical developed its first camera.
Trogir Stari Grad. Croatia. Pentax 645–SMC Pentax-A 645 1:2.8/45mm. Ilford Delta 400. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
Groundbreaking achievements with Through-The-Lens light metering
1952 saw the introduction of the first Japanese SLR, the Asahiflex. This was followed by the Asahiflex II in 1954, which featured the world's first instant return mirror system. In 1964, Asahi Optical made another groundbreaking achievement with the world's first through-the-lens (TTL) metering system, incorporated in the Spotmatic camera. Just two years later, in 1966, Asahi became the first camera manufacturer to produce one million SLRs, a remarkable feat considering they had only been in the manufacturing business for 14 years.
Stocznia Gdańska. Poland. Pentax 645. SMC Pentax-A 645 1:3.5/150mm. Ilford Delta 400. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
Super-Multi-Coated lenses
In 1971, Asahi Optical made history once again with the release of the Pentax ES, the world's first SLR camera with TTL automatic-exposure control. The same year also saw the introduction of the Takumar lens series, the world's first Super Multi-Coated lenses. Asahi Optical continued to innovate, introducing the world's first gallium arsenide light meter in a SLR in 1976, developed in collaboration with Nippon electronics. That same year, they also launched the Pentax MX and ME, the smallest and lightest 35mm full-frame SLR cameras.
Słowiński National Park. Poland. Pentax 645. SMC Pentax-A 645 1:3.5/35mm. Ilford Delta 400. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
The world's first through-the-lens autofocus camera
The year 1979 marked another milestone for Asahi Optical with the release of the Pentax ME Super, the world's first camera to incorporate the push-button shutter speed control concept. In 1980, they achieved another breakthrough with the introduction of the Pentax ME F, the world's first through-the-lens autofocus camera. Asahi Optical's success continued, and in 1981, they became the first camera manufacturer to reach the production milestone of 10 million SLR cameras.
Kąty Rybackie. Poland. Pentax 645. SMC Pentax-A 645 1:2.8/45mm. Ilford Delta 400. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
In 1984, Pentax introduced the world's first multi-mode medium format camera, the Pentax 645. Three years later, in 1987, they released the SF-1, the first 35mm SLR camera with a built-in TTL auto flash. Moving forward to 1991, Pentax launched the world's first weather-resistant zoom compact camera, the PENTAX ZOOM 90WR. In 1995, they introduced the PENTAX MZ-5, the world's smallest autofocus SLR camera designed with the concept of "intuitive operation." Finally, in 1997, Pentax unveiled the world's first autofocus medium format SLR camera, the Pentax 645N.
Rynek Elbląska – Gdańsk. Pentax 645. SMC Pentax-A 645 1:2.8/45mm. Ilford Delta 400. ©Bjørn Joachimsen.
The innovation continues
In 2024, what no one thought would happen will happen. For the first time since 2006 an analog camera that bears the name Pentax is introduced. This year we will see a compact camera, analog photographers are ready for new experiences with a camera that exposes on photographic film!
