Asahi Pentax AP vs Sears Tower 26

**Baard-Einar** · 08-30-2012, 03:34 PM

Hi

I am trying to find if anyone have information on the number of AP' produced that were branded Sears Tower 26? And are the serial numbers on the Tower 26 in the same range as the ones marked Asahi Pentax?

Any help at all is very much appreciated!

Hilo · 08-30-2012, 11:09 PM

I have van Oosten's book here and it is not conclusive. From May 1957 to March 1958 Pentax produced 19546 AP and Tower 26 bodies. The given serial number range is 132501 - 154000. From this book it looks like the Tower 26 serial numbers must have been inside this range. But it does not specify which numbers, or how many bodies were made.

One may notice that, within this range, there are almost 2000 more serial numbers than the factory given number. Van Oosten thinks this indicated that a certain serial number range was in fact reserved for that particular camera model. He says the serial number range of the early cameras up to and including the Asahi Pentax K indicate a far larger number of units produced than the actual numbers.

The AP and Tower 26 did not share this serial number range with any other camera. (this did happen with later models)

**Baard-Einar** · 08-31-2012, 03:47 AM

Hello Hilo

That was useful information. What I find strange is that in the camera database here on PentaxForums, the Tower 26 is listed as alternatives for both the AP and the S. Is this to suggest that one actually can find bodies marked Tower 26 but with the S version of the slow speed dial?

Hilo · 08-31-2012, 08:39 AM

I must admit to knowing absolutely nothing about the early Pentaxes, so again I fall back on Oosten's book: he does not list a Tower alternative with the Pentax S. He calls the Pentax S "a model in between the AP and Pentax K", with probably no more than 4.900 produced.

**Baard-Einar** · 08-31-2012, 10:56 AM

Hi
This connection between S and Tower 26 is also seen on Screwmount.

I would love to get a copy of that book. Is it available somewhere?

**Baard-Einar** · 09-03-2012, 11:38 AM - **1 Like**

Today my Sears Tower 26 arrived. It is in good shape, seems to function on all speeds. Mirror looks nice and the body as well.

See photo of my Asahi Pentax "AP" along side with the Tower 26. Nice pair! I also included picture of all 4 cameras that I have with penta prism and slow speed dial. Tower 26 with Takumar 58mm f2.4, AP with Primoplan 58mm f1.9, S with Takumar 135mm f3.5 and K with auto-takumar 55mm f1.8 in zebra style.

Any info at all about the Sears is much appreciated. Ads, pricing, and how many produced would be very nice information.

womble · 09-03-2012, 12:42 PM

Lovely quadruplet you have there. K.

08-30-2012, 03:34 PM	#1
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Asahi Pentax AP vs Sears Tower 26 Hi I am trying to find if anyone have information on the number of AP' produced that were branded Sears Tower 26? And are the serial numbers on the Tower 26 in the same range as the ones marked Asahi Pentax? Any help at all is very much appreciated!

08-30-2012, 11:09 PM	#2
Hilo Closed Account Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 161	I have van Oosten's book here and it is not conclusive. From May 1957 to March 1958 Pentax produced 19546 AP and Tower 26 bodies. The given serial number range is 132501 - 154000. From this book it looks like the Tower 26 serial numbers must have been inside this range. But it does not specify which numbers, or how many bodies were made. One may notice that, within this range, there are almost 2000 more serial numbers than the factory given number. Van Oosten thinks this indicated that a certain serial number range was in fact reserved for that particular camera model. He says the serial number range of the early cameras up to and including the Asahi Pentax K indicate a far larger number of units produced than the actual numbers. The AP and Tower 26 did not share this serial number range with any other camera. (this did happen with later models) Last edited by Hilo; 08-30-2012 at 11:39 PM.

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08-31-2012, 03:47 AM	#3
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964 Original Poster	Hello Hilo That was useful information. What I find strange is that in the camera database here on PentaxForums, the Tower 26 is listed as alternatives for both the AP and the S. Is this to suggest that one actually can find bodies marked Tower 26 but with the S version of the slow speed dial?

08-31-2012, 08:39 AM	#4
Hilo Closed Account Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 161	I must admit to knowing absolutely nothing about the early Pentaxes, so again I fall back on Oosten's book: he does not list a Tower alternative with the Pentax S. He calls the Pentax S "a model in between the AP and Pentax K", with probably no more than 4.900 produced.

08-31-2012, 10:56 AM	#5
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964 Original Poster	Hi This connection between S and Tower 26 is also seen on Screwmount. I would love to get a copy of that book. Is it available somewhere?

09-03-2012, 12:42 PM	#7
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	Lovely quadruplet you have there. K.