Asahi Pentax - AP, S and K models
This gallery is a work in progress, so new information and photos will be published over the next few months.
From right to left;
The 1957 "Asahi Pentax" (AP) - Arguably the worlds first commercially successful "through the lens" SLR
The 1958 Pentax S - The S included a slight standardization over the AP. The K was released shortly after the S, resulting in very few numbers of these cameras being released.
The 1958/59 Pentax K - Adding a (semi) auto aperture.
.rare1957Pentaxcollectable camerasSKAsahiPentax Cameraasahi pentax
Here is my 1957 Asahi Pentax. This is arguably the world's first commercially successful SLR. I say arguably because there were a few SLRs produced all the way back to 1933 with Exakta in Germany, and the better known Contax S from 1948.
The success of the Asahiflex line provided R&D capital for Asahi to develop a Pentaprism based camera and in 1957, a model named "Pentax" was released. The camera was extremely well received, so much so that Asahi decided to change the company name to the one we are familiar with today; Pentax.
Other manufacturers followed with similar designs, notably the Nikon F which was released 2 years later in 1959.
.1957AsahiAsahi PentaxAPPentax Cameracollectable camerasPentax OriginalOriginal Pentax1957 Asahi Pentax
Another view of my 1957 Asahi Pentax, along with a Weston Meter. The lens attached to the camera is the rare Takumar 83/1.9.
1957PentaxAsahi PentaxAP83mmTakumarWeston Master IVWeston meterTakumar 831957 Pentax
Another view of the 1957 Asahi Pentax with it's original box
The S had a rather short production run, resulting in less than 5000 units being made. It can be very hard to find any of the original Asahi cameras, but the S is rarest of them all. Here are my 2 copies of the S in black.
Pentax SBlack Pentax S.1958 Pentax SAsahi Pentax SBlack PentaxBlack Pentax ScrewmountPentax Screwmount
Another view of 2 Black S models.
Pentax SBlack Pentax S.1958 Pentax SAsahi Pentax SBlack PentaxBlack Pentax ScrewmountPentax Screwmount
The 1958 Pentax S and the 1957 Pentax AP both with 83mm/1.9 Takumars
PentaxtakumarAPAsahi Pentax83mm831.9presettakumar 83takumar 83mmtakumar 83 1.9
In 1958 Pentax released the K or "King". This was one of the first cameras with a (semi) auto-aperture feature. A tab on the side of the lens is spring loaded. Both the camera and the lens are cocked, then the shutter activates both the curtain and the blades inside the lens.
1958PentaxKPentax KTakumarZebraAsahicollectable camerasAsahi Pentax KTakumar Zebra 55Takumar Zebra 55mmTakumar Zebra 551.8
This K had been found in a closet, where it had sat since it was purchased new. From the look of the camera, paperwork and case, it looks like it has been used very little, if ever used at all.
1958PentaxKPentax KTakumarZebraAsahi1958 Pentax1958 Pentax K1958 Asahi Pentax
Finally, from left to right.....1957 Asahi Pentax AP, 1958 Pentax S, and the 1958 Pentax K. Both the S and K have their original lenses, but sadly, the AP did not retain it's original preset Takumar.
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