different series lens caps?

axl · 12-31-2009, 11:50 AM

so,
in December I have purchased 3 lenses. All Pentax branded but all 2nd hand. 2 were K series (24/2.8 and 55/1.8) and FA135. Now that adds to collection as you see in my sig.
All in all 2 Ks, 1F, 1FA, 1FAltd, 1DAltd. They all came with some caps (the front ones, I'm not too bothered with the rear ones), but I'd love to get the "original" caps for them. Now I'm sure about caps for the 31&40 ltds (ain't I clever

), I know what should be on FA135 (or at least I assume it's the same style cap as on early DA series, flat with slight grooves from one end to another in the same direction as the "push flaps" 31526 Pentax 49mm Front Lens Cap)
but how do the original caps for F and K series look like? While at it, images (or good descriptions) of all (K, M, A, F) pre FA series caps would be really helpful.
Any/all help appreciated...

BR
Peter

Fogel70 · 12-31-2009, 12:25 PM

I'm not completely sure but I think F-series lenses use same cap as on FA-series.

K, M and A-series lenses use an older design with "Asahi Pentax" and (later) "Pentax" text in silver on them.

I have also seen a type of cap in soft plastic that is only hold in place by friction. Got it with a M 50/2 so maybe it was only used for budget lenses.

Bart · 12-31-2009, 12:26 PM

Hi Axl,

I can only give information about the A series: I have 1 A lens and it has exactly the same front cap as the one you linked to.
I bought it new, so it should be the original.

No experience with K, M or F, though.

Oh, and the Takumar (M42) has a push on cap, not unlike what you find on the Ltd's.

**monochrome** · 12-31-2009, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by axl

but how do the original caps for F and K series look like? While at it, images (or good descriptions) of all (K, M, A, F) pre FA series caps would be really helpful.
Any/all help appreciated...
BR
Peter

Peter: Aha! A new micro-hobby for someone on the Forum - study and collection of Pentax Lens Caps!! Do we need a Pentax Lens Caps Database?

KEH is a good source of clean caps, but their shipping and handling charge makes buying one-at-a-time prohibitive. If you are getting a lens there, buy ALL your caps at the same time. Sometimes B&M stores have a drawer filled with caps that you can rifle through. I could swear there is a secondary market for these caps since some sellers NEVER market a lens with original caps. I have to guess the caps are worth $5 each, but you get no value when you sell them with the lens.

In general I can tell you that most of the original K-series lenses had an all-black, pinch buttons cap. The Pentax letters were smooth, and raised above a sculpted, wavy field.

I say generally becuase some of the K series lenses (135/2.5 is an example) continued in manufacture unchanged, save for use of the "new" M-style lens cap. For some of the anal-retentive amongst us, putting an old-style cap on a post-M dated lens might be heresy.

Also, some of the rarer K series lenses such as (fisheye, 15mm and 500 and 1000 mm, and probably others) used the original metal takumar-style caps from the screwmount era.

The M-style (continued through the A period) was flat black field with raised white letters. This cap is very recognizable to most Pentax legacy lens users.

There are some odd variants including a soft plastic push-on version of the M-style cap. I have no idea what brief period or lens that cap was issued for, but I have owned a second-hand lens or two that had it.

I'll try to post pictures of all the different style of cap I own tonight.

ryan s · 12-31-2009, 01:25 PM

Hmm, what can I add to this already comprehensive list?

All I know about the push-on plastics caps is that I see them with plastic-era camera kits (P-series cameras, for example). So, those came on A lenses...at least the 50mm "kit" lenses.

**Just1MoreDave** · 12-31-2009, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

...I could swear there is a secondary market for these caps since some sellers NEVER market a lens with original caps. I have to guess the caps are worth $5 each, but you get no value when you sell them with the lens...

I admit to being one of these sellers. It's nice to get a new lens and have the correct cap for it. After I use them, they always get mixed up.

I think this represents all the types I have. I know I don't have them all:

Three types of metal caps. They have a felt strip inside and fit on the outside of the filter threads with friction. The center one is from an Auto-Takumar. It should be all silver but is worn. I think there are at least two other lettering styles for the black ones.

Four types of plastic caps. Bottom right is a K style, from my 135/2.5. Top left is the rubber slip-on discussed above. Top right is an M style with Asahi included. Bottom right is the cap from my v.1 kit lens. I have seen this type on F lenses a lot.

Fogel70 · 12-31-2009, 04:28 PM

Here is three more type of caps I have. (except for caps on Limited lenses)
- The latest version that comes with newest DA lenses.
- An old metal "Asahi Pentax" with different font, came with an Super-Takumar 55/1.8, but don't know if it is the original one with this lens.
- A plastic with only "Pentax", came with M 100/4 Macro.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

axl · 12-31-2009, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by Fogel70

Here is three more type of caps I have. (except for caps on Limited lenses)
- The latest version that comes with newest DA lenses.
- An old metal "Asahi Pentax" with different font, came with an Super-Takumar 55/1.8, but don't know if it is the original one with this lens.
- A plastic with only "Pentax", came with M 100/4 Macro.

I have two of those on the bottom right.
One came with my F50/1.7 and one with my K24/2.8

Steve Beswick · 01-01-2010, 12:16 AM

Just to add my tiny bit of confusion to things: As I understand it, the rubber slip on caps were commonly included with 50mm lenses starting late in M lens production to very early in F lens production.

**monochrome** · 01-01-2010, 01:23 AM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

I admit to being one of these sellers. It's nice to get a new lens and have the correct cap for it. After I use them, they always get mixed up.

I think this represents all the types I have. I know I don't have them all:

Well, since the pictures are already posted, here goes:

Top left - the mysterious push-on cap commented above. The two I have came with an M100/2.8 and and M50/1.7, but I can't say they are original to those lenses.

Top Right: The ubiquitous M through A series cap.

Bottom Left: The original K-series plastic cap, probably discontinued in 1977 around the time the K-series lenses changed from SMC to smc on the beauty ring, coincident with introduction of the M lenses.

Bottom Right: Generally, the F and FA lens cap.

Obviously, there are exceptions to any rule and following posters will point them out - information in the members' memories here is amazing!

axl · 01-01-2010, 04:06 PM

If the top right is the M & A cap, how about bottom right in Fogel70's post (#7). I have two of those...

12-31-2009, 11:50 AM	#1
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	different series lens caps? so, in December I have purchased 3 lenses. All Pentax branded but all 2nd hand. 2 were K series (24/2.8 and 55/1.8) and FA135. Now that adds to collection as you see in my sig. All in all 2 Ks, 1F, 1FA, 1FAltd, 1DAltd. They all came with some caps (the front ones, I'm not too bothered with the rear ones), but I'd love to get the "original" caps for them. Now I'm sure about caps for the 31&40 ltds (ain't I clever ), I know what should be on FA135 (or at least I assume it's the same style cap as on early DA series, flat with slight grooves from one end to another in the same direction as the "push flaps" 31526 Pentax 49mm Front Lens Cap) but how do the original caps for F and K series look like? While at it, images (or good descriptions) of all (K, M, A, F) pre FA series caps would be really helpful. Any/all help appreciated... BR Peter

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12-31-2009, 12:25 PM	#2
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	I'm not completely sure but I think F-series lenses use same cap as on FA-series. K, M and A-series lenses use an older design with "Asahi Pentax" and (later) "Pentax" text in silver on them. I have also seen a type of cap in soft plastic that is only hold in place by friction. Got it with a M 50/2 so maybe it was only used for budget lenses.

12-31-2009, 12:26 PM	#3
Bart Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: WW community of Pentax users Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,646	Hi Axl, I can only give information about the A series: I have 1 A lens and it has exactly the same front cap as the one you linked to. I bought it new, so it should be the original. No experience with K, M or F, though. Oh, and the Takumar (M42) has a push on cap, not unlike what you find on the Ltd's.

12-31-2009, 12:43 PM	#4
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by axl but how do the original caps for F and K series look like? While at it, images (or good descriptions) of all (K, M, A, F) pre FA series caps would be really helpful. Any/all help appreciated... BR Peter Peter: Aha! A new micro-hobby for someone on the Forum - study and collection of Pentax Lens Caps!! Do we need a Pentax Lens Caps Database? KEH is a good source of clean caps, but their shipping and handling charge makes buying one-at-a-time prohibitive. If you are getting a lens there, buy ALL your caps at the same time. Sometimes B&M stores have a drawer filled with caps that you can rifle through. I could swear there is a secondary market for these caps since some sellers NEVER market a lens with original caps. I have to guess the caps are worth $5 each, but you get no value when you sell them with the lens. In general I can tell you that most of the original K-series lenses had an all-black, pinch buttons cap. The Pentax letters were smooth, and raised above a sculpted, wavy field. I say generally becuase some of the K series lenses (135/2.5 is an example) continued in manufacture unchanged, save for use of the "new" M-style lens cap. For some of the anal-retentive amongst us, putting an old-style cap on a post-M dated lens might be heresy. Also, some of the rarer K series lenses such as (fisheye, 15mm and 500 and 1000 mm, and probably others) used the original metal takumar-style caps from the screwmount era. The M-style (continued through the A period) was flat black field with raised white letters. This cap is very recognizable to most Pentax legacy lens users. There are some odd variants including a soft plastic push-on version of the M-style cap. I have no idea what brief period or lens that cap was issued for, but I have owned a second-hand lens or two that had it. I'll try to post pictures of all the different style of cap I own tonight.

12-31-2009, 01:25 PM	#5
ryan s Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,383	Hmm, what can I add to this already comprehensive list? All I know about the push-on plastics caps is that I see them with plastic-era camera kits (P-series cameras, for example). So, those came on A lenses...at least the 50mm "kit" lenses.

12-31-2009, 03:59 PM	#6
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by monochrome ...I could swear there is a secondary market for these caps since some sellers NEVER market a lens with original caps. I have to guess the caps are worth $5 each, but you get no value when you sell them with the lens... I admit to being one of these sellers. It's nice to get a new lens and have the correct cap for it. After I use them, they always get mixed up. I think this represents all the types I have. I know I don't have them all: Three types of metal caps. They have a felt strip inside and fit on the outside of the filter threads with friction. The center one is from an Auto-Takumar. It should be all silver but is worn. I think there are at least two other lettering styles for the black ones. Four types of plastic caps. Bottom right is a K style, from my 135/2.5. Top left is the rubber slip-on discussed above. Top right is an M style with Asahi included. Bottom right is the cap from my v.1 kit lens. I have seen this type on F lenses a lot.

12-31-2009, 05:28 PM	#8
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	Originally posted by Fogel70 Here is three more type of caps I have. (except for caps on Limited lenses) - The latest version that comes with newest DA lenses. - An old metal "Asahi Pentax" with different font, came with an Super-Takumar 55/1.8, but don't know if it is the original one with this lens. - A plastic with only "Pentax", came with M 100/4 Macro. I have two of those on the bottom right. One came with my F50/1.7 and one with my K24/2.8

01-01-2010, 12:16 AM	#9
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	Just to add my tiny bit of confusion to things: As I understand it, the rubber slip on caps were commonly included with 50mm lenses starting late in M lens production to very early in F lens production.

01-01-2010, 01:23 AM	#10
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave I admit to being one of these sellers. It's nice to get a new lens and have the correct cap for it. After I use them, they always get mixed up. I think this represents all the types I have. I know I don't have them all: Well, since the pictures are already posted, here goes: Top left - the mysterious push-on cap commented above. The two I have came with an M100/2.8 and and M50/1.7, but I can't say they are original to those lenses. Top Right: The ubiquitous M through A series cap. Bottom Left: The original K-series plastic cap, probably discontinued in 1977 around the time the K-series lenses changed from SMC to smc on the beauty ring, coincident with introduction of the M lenses. Bottom Right: Generally, the F and FA lens cap. Obviously, there are exceptions to any rule and following posters will point them out - information in the members' memories here is amazing!

01-01-2010, 04:06 PM	#11
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183 Original Poster	If the top right is the M & A cap, how about bottom right in Fogel70's post (#7). I have two of those...