Special Report from Japan: Pentax goes Bayonet

Nesster · 01-29-2009, 04:21 AM

From the September 1975 Popular Photography magazine:

Large sizes available:
PENTAX GOES BAYONET on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

vinzer · 01-29-2009, 07:11 AM

History made. At least for us Pentax users.

Again, I took the liberty of grabbing it.

Keep 'em scans coming Nesster!

k100d · 01-29-2009, 07:45 AM

unfortunately pentax took too long to switch to bayonet

thanks for the scan

séamuis · 01-29-2009, 07:50 AM

nice piece of history. thank you for sharing that with us.

Gooshin · 01-29-2009, 08:11 AM

awesome, good read.

Nesster · 01-29-2009, 09:33 AM

Yes, Pentax was slow with the bayonet. And the M series that arrived about a year later. Note Oly was the hot brand with the OM1 and were going to come out with the OM2.

The other brands were caught unawares by Olympus as well. I scanned a few camera ads from the same issue - Nikon was rolling out the Nikkormat FT2, Minolta was pushing the SRT series, Canon had the FTb and EF, and even poor Miranda was still trying with the Sensorex line. Oh, and Contax had the RTS.

vinzer · 01-29-2009, 06:14 PM

Yeah, that OM1 really showed the big boys that a small SLR was possible. I thank Olympus for bringing us to the ME/MX era.

I'm not too concerned about how Pentax was late to the party with bayonet. We're still reaping the benefits of the mount still, with one of the best backwards compatibility among mounts today. I can't say it's the best, though, since the 4/3 and m4/3 mount can take in a whole lot of different lenses via simple adapters.

**ChrisPlatt** · 01-29-2009, 07:07 PM

IIRC screwmount models stayed in the Pentax catalog for a time (until sold out, I assume).
I remember passionate arguments regarding the advantages of one mount versus the other...

Chris

Mike Cash · 01-29-2009, 07:58 PM

The right side provides teasing snippets of an article on the Konica C35 Automatic, a perfectly delightful compact 35mm rangefinder with auto-exposure. Wonderful little cameras.

The problem I have with reading articles like this or looking at old catalogs is that I can't help but get as excited as though they were brand-new and find myself eagerly wanting to order the stuff.

**ChipB** · 01-29-2009, 08:02 PM

In 1976 my Spotmatic w/ 50mm f1.4 lens was stolen and my insurance co replaced it with a KM and 50mm f1.4. I remember being really po'd because they wouldn't replace the rest of my screwmount lenses that hadn't been stolen with bayonet lenses that I could use on my new camera.

I still have the KM and lens!!

Blue · 01-29-2009, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by ChipB

In 1976 my Spotmatic w/ 50mm f1.4 lens was stolen and my insurance co replaced it with a KM and 50mm f1.4. I remember being really po'd because they wouldn't replace the rest of my screwmount lenses that hadn't been stolen with bayonet lenses that I could use on my new camera.

I still have the KM and lens!!

Pentax had the m42 adapter available then. I hope you got one.

Steinback · 01-29-2009, 09:43 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

IIRC screwmount models stayed in the Pentax catalog for a time (until sold out, I assume).
I remember passionate arguments regarding the advantages of one mount versus the other...

My father's claimed reason for going with m42 over k mount was that the screw mount would let him tighten the lens down to the body no matter how old the lens was whereas the bayonet mount would supposedly have a sloppy fit as it was used and wore down. Considering how well lenses and bodies for both mounts have lasted it seems like either was a good choice.

stevebrot · 01-29-2009, 10:11 PM

Originally posted by Steinback

My father's claimed reason for going with m42 over k mount was that the screw mount would let him tighten the lens down to the body no matter how old the lens was whereas the bayonet mount would supposedly have a sloppy fit as it was used and wore down. Considering how well lenses and bodies for both mounts have lasted it seems like either was a good choice.

I remember that line of reasoning regarding bayonet lenses, though I don't recall ever hearing of a worn-out mount.

Steve

(Maybe with some of the modern plastic mount lenses?)

Nesster · 01-30-2009, 03:56 AM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

The right side provides teasing snippets of an article on the Konica C35 Automatic, a perfectly delightful compact 35mm rangefinder with auto-exposure. Wonderful little cameras.

The problem I have with reading articles like this or looking at old catalogs is that I can't help but get as excited as though they were brand-new and find myself eagerly wanting to order the stuff.

Heh heh heh. Yes the C35 is reviewed in the issue. And there's an ad I'll post...

I read through the mag, and it's about the same - give or take - as today's Pop Photo. A lot of thinly re-formatted promotional stuff. Pros giving advice. How to articles that sometimes are excellent, sometimes astoundingly amateurish. And pontification about current trends. So mostly fluff, but with a handful of good, useful sentences mixed in. Back in the day I subscribed to Modern, got my basic photo education that way. When the articles started to repeat too much (ie. about 1.5 years) I eventually let the subscription lapse.

This particular issue had a lot of talk about 110 film. Pentax hadn't yet come out with the SLR.

Sometimes people wonder - and we forget, those of us who were somewhat around back when - how people learned about the equipment back when.

Well, the mags had a bit more character in the front-of-the-book columnists. We all know about Keppler. Well, Norm Rothschild was in a similar vein - pointing out curmudgeonly things... There was a long-running vintage camera column... and the magazines gave at least some coverage to photo shows and books. And specific brands had their own clubs and newsletters. The kind of stuff nowadays is mostly online.

Oh, and while Shutterbug was THE used equipment resource, the big mags had enough used ads to get a sense of the market.

Mike Cash · 01-30-2009, 05:36 AM

The only thing I know about Keppler is his third law of planetary motion.

01-29-2009, 04:21 AM	#1
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Special Report from Japan: Pentax goes Bayonet From the September 1975 Popular Photography magazine: Large sizes available: PENTAX GOES BAYONET on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

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01-29-2009, 07:11 AM	#2
vinzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 1,399	History made. At least for us Pentax users. Again, I took the liberty of grabbing it. Keep 'em scans coming Nesster!

01-29-2009, 07:45 AM	#3
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	unfortunately pentax took too long to switch to bayonet thanks for the scan

01-29-2009, 07:50 AM	#4
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	nice piece of history. thank you for sharing that with us.

01-29-2009, 08:11 AM	#5
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	awesome, good read.

01-29-2009, 09:33 AM	#6
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072 Original Poster	Yes, Pentax was slow with the bayonet. And the M series that arrived about a year later. Note Oly was the hot brand with the OM1 and were going to come out with the OM2. The other brands were caught unawares by Olympus as well. I scanned a few camera ads from the same issue - Nikon was rolling out the Nikkormat FT2, Minolta was pushing the SRT series, Canon had the FTb and EF, and even poor Miranda was still trying with the Sensorex line. Oh, and Contax had the RTS.

01-29-2009, 06:14 PM	#7
vinzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 1,399	Yeah, that OM1 really showed the big boys that a small SLR was possible. I thank Olympus for bringing us to the ME/MX era. I'm not too concerned about how Pentax was late to the party with bayonet. We're still reaping the benefits of the mount still, with one of the best backwards compatibility among mounts today. I can't say it's the best, though, since the 4/3 and m4/3 mount can take in a whole lot of different lenses via simple adapters.

01-29-2009, 07:07 PM	#8
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	IIRC screwmount models stayed in the Pentax catalog for a time (until sold out, I assume). I remember passionate arguments regarding the advantages of one mount versus the other... Chris

01-29-2009, 07:58 PM	#9
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	The right side provides teasing snippets of an article on the Konica C35 Automatic, a perfectly delightful compact 35mm rangefinder with auto-exposure. Wonderful little cameras. The problem I have with reading articles like this or looking at old catalogs is that I can't help but get as excited as though they were brand-new and find myself eagerly wanting to order the stuff.

01-29-2009, 08:02 PM	#10
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	In 1976 my Spotmatic w/ 50mm f1.4 lens was stolen and my insurance co replaced it with a KM and 50mm f1.4. I remember being really po'd because they wouldn't replace the rest of my screwmount lenses that hadn't been stolen with bayonet lenses that I could use on my new camera. I still have the KM and lens!!

01-29-2009, 08:10 PM	#11
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by ChipB In 1976 my Spotmatic w/ 50mm f1.4 lens was stolen and my insurance co replaced it with a KM and 50mm f1.4. I remember being really po'd because they wouldn't replace the rest of my screwmount lenses that hadn't been stolen with bayonet lenses that I could use on my new camera. I still have the KM and lens!! Pentax had the m42 adapter available then. I hope you got one.

01-29-2009, 09:43 PM	#12
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt IIRC screwmount models stayed in the Pentax catalog for a time (until sold out, I assume). I remember passionate arguments regarding the advantages of one mount versus the other... My father's claimed reason for going with m42 over k mount was that the screw mount would let him tighten the lens down to the body no matter how old the lens was whereas the bayonet mount would supposedly have a sloppy fit as it was used and wore down. Considering how well lenses and bodies for both mounts have lasted it seems like either was a good choice.

01-29-2009, 10:11 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Steinback My father's claimed reason for going with m42 over k mount was that the screw mount would let him tighten the lens down to the body no matter how old the lens was whereas the bayonet mount would supposedly have a sloppy fit as it was used and wore down. Considering how well lenses and bodies for both mounts have lasted it seems like either was a good choice. I remember that line of reasoning regarding bayonet lenses, though I don't recall ever hearing of a worn-out mount. Steve (Maybe with some of the modern plastic mount lenses?)

01-30-2009, 03:56 AM	#14
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mike Cash The right side provides teasing snippets of an article on the Konica C35 Automatic, a perfectly delightful compact 35mm rangefinder with auto-exposure. Wonderful little cameras. The problem I have with reading articles like this or looking at old catalogs is that I can't help but get as excited as though they were brand-new and find myself eagerly wanting to order the stuff. Heh heh heh. Yes the C35 is reviewed in the issue. And there's an ad I'll post... I read through the mag, and it's about the same - give or take - as today's Pop Photo. A lot of thinly re-formatted promotional stuff. Pros giving advice. How to articles that sometimes are excellent, sometimes astoundingly amateurish. And pontification about current trends. So mostly fluff, but with a handful of good, useful sentences mixed in. Back in the day I subscribed to Modern, got my basic photo education that way. When the articles started to repeat too much (ie. about 1.5 years) I eventually let the subscription lapse. This particular issue had a lot of talk about 110 film. Pentax hadn't yet come out with the SLR. Sometimes people wonder - and we forget, those of us who were somewhat around back when - how people learned about the equipment back when. Well, the mags had a bit more character in the front-of-the-book columnists. We all know about Keppler. Well, Norm Rothschild was in a similar vein - pointing out curmudgeonly things... There was a long-running vintage camera column... and the magazines gave at least some coverage to photo shows and books. And specific brands had their own clubs and newsletters. The kind of stuff nowadays is mostly online. Oh, and while Shutterbug was THE used equipment resource, the big mags had enough used ads to get a sense of the market.

01-30-2009, 05:36 AM	#15
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	The only thing I know about Keppler is his third law of planetary motion.