[SunnyG.]

Pentax has turned 100! Congrats! I know that Pentax as a company doesn't exist. It's just a brand name. Still I felt that I needed to wish! May the Pentax name live on for a 100 more years! Happy new year to everyone!

[biz-engineer]

Happy 100th birthday to Pentax!

What was the exact date? Was it really a January 1st?

[BigMackCam]

What was the exact date? Was it really a January 1st?

It was November 1919 when the original Asahi Kogaku Goshi Kaisha company was formed... But 2019 is the birthday year. Worth celebrating

[lesmore49]

Got my first Pentax, an S1a model SLR with Takumar 55mm F 2 lens, which came standard with the S1a body back then. I bought it new almost 51 years ago...so I became a Pentaxian when the brand was already 49 years old, according to my calculations.

It still works, I put it through it's paces this afternoon to check. Only thing wrong with it, is a small corner of the body leatherette cover is lifting, a spot of glue ought to take care of that.

I wonder whether my K10D, K5 or K1 bodies will still be around in 51 years and still working. Maybe so, I don't know and at my age I'm fairly certain that my 'body' won't be around in working condition...to check them out.

[Adam]

Does anyone know what the company did (or released) between 1919 and the first SLR in the 50s?

[RobA_Oz]

Does anyone know what the company did (or released) between 1919 and the first SLR in the 50s?

This history page answers at least some of your question. AOHC - Asahi Optical Historical Club: A brief history of the Asahi Optical Corporation

[Adam]

This history page answers at least some of your question. AOHC - Asahi Optical Historical Club: A brief history of the Asahi Optical Corporation

Thanks for the link- that was very interesting. Seems like they were mostly engaged in B2B services before the Spotmatic.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

[hjoseph7]

Wow, They had their ups and downs but are still kicking ! way to go Pentax !

[SunnyG.]

It was November 1919 when the original Asahi Kogaku Goshi Kaisha company was formed... But 2019 is the birthday year. Worth celebrating

Thank you! I didn't know that!

---------- Post added 01-01-19 at 09:58 PM ----------

Got my first Pentax, an S1a model SLR with Takumar 55mm F 2 lens, which came standard with the S1a body back then. I bought it new almost 51 years ago...so I became a Pentaxian when the brand was already 49 years old, according to my calculations.

It still works, I put it through it's paces this afternoon to check. Only thing wrong with it, is a small corner of the body leatherette cover is lifting, a spot of glue ought to take care of that.

I wonder whether my K10D, K5 or K1 bodies will still be around in 51 years and still working. Maybe so, I don't know and at my age I'm fairly certain that my 'body' won't be around in working condition...to check them out.

It'll still be around. But whether it'll work or not. Is a different matter!

[funkythiru]

Is there a possibility Olympus might overshadow our party? Apparently it's their centennial as well and with the premium m43 offering they might steal the spotlight?
I wholeheartedly hope Ricoh plays up the Pentax legacy regardless of other manufacturers revelations/announcements. Who knows perhaps Ricoh will send out that AOCo sticker out as a present?

[clackers]

The Northrup history of Pentax (largely driven by Chelsea) has inaccuracies but its heart's in the right place. Worthy watching.

[EssJayEff]

I searched for "Pentax" in newspapers.com. The earliest search result was a classified ad, equivalent to PF's "Wanted Items" in the Marketplace, from the Chicago Tribune dated 12 October 1933. It reads, "WANTED—DALLMEYER PENTAX LENS F. 2.9 10 in. focus or equivalent." In a classified ad in the Los Angeles Times dated 1 June 1938, someone offered for sale a "10-INCH F2.9 Pentax lens; bargain $100." In today's U.S. dollars, that bargain price would be $1787.50.

---------- Post added 01-02-19 at 12:05 PM ----------

Just found another ad in The Los Angeles Times dated 1 October 1944 offering a "DALLMEYER Pentax f2.9 4 1/4" in compur" [Compur shutter]. The ad listed some other equipment and 120 film, too. The asking price? A trade for either a refrigerator or "a radio combo."

[Kerebron]

Does anyone know what the company did (or released) between 1919 and the first SLR in the 50s?

They released an announcement about their first SLR.

[EssJayEff]

I searched for "Pentax" in newspapers.com. The earliest search result was a classified ad, equivalent to PF's "Wanted Items" in the Marketplace, from the Chicago Tribune dated 12 October 1933. It reads, "WANTED—DALLMEYER PENTAX LENS F. 2.9 10 in. focus or equivalent." In a classified ad in the Los Angeles Times dated 1 June 1938, someone offered for sale a "10-INCH F2.9 Pentax lens; bargain $100." In today's U.S. dollars, that bargain price would be $1787.50.

---------- Post added 01-02-19 at 12:05 PM ----------

Just found another ad in The Los Angeles Times dated 1 October 1944 offering a "DALLMEYER Pentax f2.9 4 1/4" in compur" [Compur shutter]. The ad listed some other equipment and 120 film, too. The asking price? A trade for either a refrigerator or "a radio combo."

Addendum (few months later): I was curious about this lens this morning so I searched eBay for Dallmeyer and turned up a "F2.9 PENTAC F=6" lens. Looking at the photographs for the listing, it is marked PENTAC on the lens.

[reh321]

I believe the name "Pentax" was originally used by a German company. Asahi Optical, the company founded in 1919, started using the name only after World War II.