Gear P0rn - post it if you got it.

**WPRESTO** · 07-07-2020, 07:10 AM

Originally posted by yucafrita

Some information here: ASTRO, Piesker und TEWE Objektive aus Berlin by Photo but More

The company was founded 1936, when there was nothing like West- or East-Berlin.

FYI: The 400mm f5.5 pictured far toward the bottom of the link page is exactly as I remember the one I had, except mine had a deep hood with the same black crinkle finish.

g026r · 07-07-2020, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by yucafrita

Some information here: ASTRO, Piesker und TEWE Objektive aus Berlin by Photo but More

The company was founded 1936, when there was nothing like West- or East-Berlin.

Thanks for the extra info. That's significantly more than I had previously.

btw, @WPRESTO, I immediately noticed this when it was talking about the 250/4.5:

Quote:

In the first version of my website from the Berlin Lenses I wrote about this Picon, it optically corresponds to the Meyer Telemegor. However, when I took a closer look at the lens, it turned out that it was built as a classic long-range lens. This means that it has only one lens element, which consists of a cemented front lens. The Telemegore, however, have a 4-lens tele structure.

(Emphasis mine)

Google Translate is a bit rough, but that sure sounds like an achromatic doublet to me.

**Moe49** · 07-07-2020, 08:45 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by womble

Just LX. The "I" bit is simply the fancy font Pentax used for the LX.
Best wishes, Kris.

I was just poking fun at some of the camera ads I have seen over the years. My black LX was advertised as "ILX" back in 2012

I bought it anyway.
I also refer to my P3n as the "uEd" camera

yucafrita · 07-07-2020, 09:07 AM

@WPRESTO @g026r I was surprised to read that much of the production was sold into the US. But then, I suppose, maybe they sold a lot of their lenses to the US soldiers stationed in Berlin and in West-Germany, too. Many of the lenses have only feet scales... (Even the east-German state combines sold a lot of cameras to the US for $$).

**WPRESTO** · 07-07-2020, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by yucafrita

@WPRESTO @g026r I was surprised to read that much of the production was sold into the US. But then, I suppose, maybe they sold a lot of their lenses to the US soldiers stationed in Berlin and in West-Germany, too. Many of the lenses have only feet scales... (Even the east-German state combines sold a lot of cameras to the US for $$).

I don't remember where I purchased the 400mm, but I got the 250 Piesker at Macy's (NYC store). Could be that Macy's bought up a lot of Piesker lenses. They were still a really major merchant in the late 50's early 60's.

womble · 07-08-2020, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by Moe49

I was just poking fun at some of the camera ads I have seen over the years. My black LX was advertised as "ILX" back in 2012

I bought it anyway.
I also refer to my P3n as the "uEd" camera

Ahhh sorry. I've seen a few ads like that too.

**From1980** · 07-09-2020, 12:14 AM

Originally posted by womble

Just LX. The "I" bit is simply the fancy font Pentax used for the LX.

Best wishes, Kris.

Exactly right. That stylized font has been misunderstood often since 1980 but curiously few ever seemed to notice the same type of black line through the downward stroke of the X. I used to hear a lot of people ask about the Pentax ILX (eye-ell-ex) when I worked at a store back then.

Lord Lucan · 07-09-2020, 01:11 AM

Originally posted by From1980

That stylized font has been misunderstood often since 1980

Isn't it an Art Deco font? I recall that Danilo Cecchi refers to the misunderstanding in his book on Pentax 35mm cameras. He also says that the name was chosen as it was the Roman numeral for 60, being introduced in Pentax's 60th year - so not because it superseded the K-Series, and of course the M-Series was introduced before the LX anyway.

Lord Lucan · 07-09-2020, 02:17 AM - **4 Likes**

LX with Sunpak 4205G (also known as 544)

Not many pictures here lately, so here's one. I got the Sunpak recently for only £13, Ebay BIN price. Could not believe my luck, they usually go for around £40-50, and cost new about £150 I believe. It is in mint condition, although no box or manual. I found a manual on line. I have done a review Sunpak Auto 4205G Thyristor (Auto 544 in some markets) reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

GN 42 (metres, ASA100). Swivel and tilt, no dedication or TTL, just a plain PC sync lead, but I can set shutter speed myself and film era TTL is no good on my DSLR anyway, for which I really got it. Not as common as the 4500 (or 555) which has a GN of 45 and offers optional dedication modules - which are hard to find now.

Incidentally I got Adam to move some reviews of old non-Pentax flash units from the "current" area to "legacy". Current kit becomes legacy over time but tends to be over-looked.

PS : I read once that the Pentax flash units of the 1980s (eg AF200, AF280, AF400) were actually made by Sunpak under contract. Can anyone confirm that?

**steamloco76** · 07-09-2020, 02:04 PM - **11 Likes**

A set of cameras I never thought I complete- The first four Asahi Pentax 35mm SLR cameras 1957-1959
Asahi Pentax 134XXX (1957) *19,546 made 1957-1958
Asahi Pentax S 169XXX (1958) *4,900 made 1958-1959
Asahi Pentax K 176XXX (1958) *21,454 made 1958-1959
Heiland Pentax H2 (S2)195XXX (1959) *130,892 made 1959-1963
I've paired each camera with a period correct lens, Takumar 55/2.2 on the AP. Takumar 135/3.5 (first version) on the S. Auto-Takumar 55/1.8 "Zebra" on the K. Auto-Takumar 55/2 on the H2
.

stevebrot · 07-09-2020, 05:51 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by steamloco76

A set of cameras I never thought I complete- The first four Asahi Pentax 35mm SLR cameras 1957-1959
Asahi Pentax 134XXX (1957) *19,546 made 1957-1958
Asahi Pentax S 169XXX (1958) *4,900 made 1958-1959
Asahi Pentax K 176XXX (1958) *21,454 made 1958-1959
Heiland Pentax H2 (S2)195XXX (1959) *130,892 made 1959-1963
I've paired each camera with a period correct lens, Takumar 55/2.2 on the AP. Takumar 135/3.5 (first version) on the S. Auto-Takumar 55/1.8 "Zebra" on the K. Auto-Takumar 55/2 on the H2
.

Definitely NSFW!!!

Steve

(...not safe for wallet...)

**steamloco76** · 07-09-2020, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Definitely NSFW!!!

Steve

(...not safe for wallet...)

Not as NSFW as it would have been for cameras with no prism dents. Every single pre-hotshoe Pentax in my collection has at least one prism dent!! H1, H3, H3v, and several spotmatics all have the accessory meter, or cold shoe love dents.

**ismaelg** · 07-09-2020, 07:19 PM

Originally posted by steamloco76

A set of cameras I never thought I complete- The first four Asahi Pentax 35mm SLR cameras 1957-1959
Asahi Pentax 134XXX (1957) *19,546 made 1957-1958
Asahi Pentax S 169XXX (1958) *4,900 made 1958-1959
Asahi Pentax K 176XXX (1958) *21,454 made 1958-1959
Heiland Pentax H2 (S2)195XXX (1959) *130,892 made 1959-1963
I've paired each camera with a period correct lens, Takumar 55/2.2 on the AP. Takumar 135/3.5 (first version) on the S. Auto-Takumar 55/1.8 "Zebra" on the K. Auto-Takumar 55/2 on the H2
.

My dream collection! I'm waiting for a non-working beaten H2 to arrive. That would be the oldest Pentax in my collection.
I think it may be time to start sacrificing some non-Pentax cameras in my collection...

Thanks,

**From1980** · 07-09-2020, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by steamloco76

Asahi Pentax First Four AP-S-K-H2 (S2)

Beautiful. That collection is quite an accomplishment.

**steamloco76** · 07-10-2020, 03:59 AM

Originally posted by From1980

Beautiful. That collection is quite an accomplishment.

Thank you.
I always figured my collection would be missing the rare S model until Gerjan Van Oosten (author of The Ultimate Asahi Pentax Screwmount Guide) listed one on an international Pentax buy-sell Facebook group. I messaged immediately. We had to work out exchange rates, PayPal fees and international insured postage from the Netherlands. Total cost of the clean, fully serviced S model was just $290 USD. I would have been insane to have passed it up!

07-07-2020, 08:45 AM - 1 Like	#6888
Moe49 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz Mtns. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 874	Originally posted by womble Just LX. The "I" bit is simply the fancy font Pentax used for the LX. Best wishes, Kris. I was just poking fun at some of the camera ads I have seen over the years. My black LX was advertised as "ILX" back in 2012 I bought it anyway. I also refer to my P3n as the "uEd" camera Last edited by Moe49; 07-07-2020 at 09:42 AM.

07-09-2020, 02:17 AM - 4 Likes	#6894
Lord Lucan Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: South Wales Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,972	LX with Sunpak 4205G (also known as 544) Not many pictures here lately, so here's one. I got the Sunpak recently for only £13, Ebay BIN price. Could not believe my luck, they usually go for around £40-50, and cost new about £150 I believe. It is in mint condition, although no box or manual. I found a manual on line. I have done a review Sunpak Auto 4205G Thyristor (Auto 544 in some markets) reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database GN 42 (metres, ASA100). Swivel and tilt, no dedication or TTL, just a plain PC sync lead, but I can set shutter speed myself and film era TTL is no good on my DSLR anyway, for which I really got it. Not as common as the 4500 (or 555) which has a GN of 45 and offers optional dedication modules - which are hard to find now. Incidentally I got Adam to move some reviews of old non-Pentax flash units from the "current" area to "legacy". Current kit becomes legacy over time but tends to be over-looked. PS : I read once that the Pentax flash units of the 1980s (eg AF200, AF280, AF400) were actually made by Sunpak under contract. Can anyone confirm that? Last edited by Lord Lucan; 07-09-2020 at 02:23 AM. Reason: Added PS

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07-07-2020, 07:10 AM	#6886
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,137	Originally posted by yucafrita Some information here: ASTRO, Piesker und TEWE Objektive aus Berlin by Photo but More The company was founded 1936, when there was nothing like West- or East-Berlin. FYI: The 400mm f5.5 pictured far toward the bottom of the link page is exactly as I remember the one I had, except mine had a deep hood with the same black crinkle finish.

07-07-2020, 07:58 AM	#6887
g026r Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,074	Originally posted by yucafrita Some information here: ASTRO, Piesker und TEWE Objektive aus Berlin by Photo but More The company was founded 1936, when there was nothing like West- or East-Berlin. Thanks for the extra info. That's significantly more than I had previously. btw, @WPRESTO, I immediately noticed this when it was talking about the 250/4.5: Quote: In the first version of my website from the Berlin Lenses I wrote about this Picon, it optically corresponds to the Meyer Telemegor. However, when I took a closer look at the lens, it turned out that it was built as a classic long-range lens. This means that it has only one lens element, which consists of a cemented front lens. The Telemegore, however, have a 4-lens tele structure. (Emphasis mine) Google Translate is a bit rough, but that sure sounds like an achromatic doublet to me.

07-07-2020, 09:07 AM	#6889
yucafrita Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 459	@WPRESTO @g026r I was surprised to read that much of the production was sold into the US. But then, I suppose, maybe they sold a lot of their lenses to the US soldiers stationed in Berlin and in West-Germany, too. Many of the lenses have only feet scales... (Even the east-German state combines sold a lot of cameras to the US for $$).

07-07-2020, 10:15 AM	#6890
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,137	Originally posted by yucafrita @WPRESTO @g026r I was surprised to read that much of the production was sold into the US. But then, I suppose, maybe they sold a lot of their lenses to the US soldiers stationed in Berlin and in West-Germany, too. Many of the lenses have only feet scales... (Even the east-German state combines sold a lot of cameras to the US for $$). I don't remember where I purchased the 400mm, but I got the 250 Piesker at Macy's (NYC store). Could be that Macy's bought up a lot of Piesker lenses. They were still a really major merchant in the late 50's early 60's.

07-08-2020, 02:22 PM	#6891
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	Originally posted by Moe49 I was just poking fun at some of the camera ads I have seen over the years. My black LX was advertised as "ILX" back in 2012 I bought it anyway. I also refer to my P3n as the "uEd" camera Ahhh sorry. I've seen a few ads like that too.

07-09-2020, 12:14 AM	#6892
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 682	Originally posted by womble Just LX. The "I" bit is simply the fancy font Pentax used for the LX. Best wishes, Kris. Exactly right. That stylized font has been misunderstood often since 1980 but curiously few ever seemed to notice the same type of black line through the downward stroke of the X. I used to hear a lot of people ask about the Pentax ILX (eye-ell-ex) when I worked at a store back then.

07-09-2020, 01:11 AM	#6893
Lord Lucan Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: South Wales Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,972	Originally posted by From1980 That stylized font has been misunderstood often since 1980 Isn't it an Art Deco font? I recall that Danilo Cecchi refers to the misunderstanding in his book on Pentax 35mm cameras. He also says that the name was chosen as it was the Roman numeral for 60, being introduced in Pentax's 60th year - so not because it superseded the K-Series, and of course the M-Series was introduced before the LX anyway.

07-09-2020, 05:51 PM - 2 Likes	#6896
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by steamloco76 A set of cameras I never thought I complete- The first four Asahi Pentax 35mm SLR cameras 1957-1959 Asahi Pentax 134XXX (1957) 19,546 made 1957-1958 Asahi Pentax S 169XXX (1958) 4,900 made 1958-1959 Asahi Pentax K 176XXX (1958) 21,454 made 1958-1959 Heiland Pentax H2 (S2)195XXX (1959) 130,892 made 1959-1963 I've paired each camera with a period correct lens, Takumar 55/2.2 on the AP. Takumar 135/3.5 (first version) on the S. Auto-Takumar 55/1.8 "Zebra" on the K. Auto-Takumar 55/2 on the H2 . Definitely NSFW!!! Steve (...not safe for wallet...)

07-09-2020, 06:15 PM	#6897
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710	Originally posted by stevebrot Definitely NSFW!!! Steve (...not safe for wallet...) Not as NSFW as it would have been for cameras with no prism dents. Every single pre-hotshoe Pentax in my collection has at least one prism dent!! H1, H3, H3v, and several spotmatics all have the accessory meter, or cold shoe love dents.

07-09-2020, 07:19 PM	#6898
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,683	Originally posted by steamloco76 A set of cameras I never thought I complete- The first four Asahi Pentax 35mm SLR cameras 1957-1959 Asahi Pentax 134XXX (1957) 19,546 made 1957-1958 Asahi Pentax S 169XXX (1958) 4,900 made 1958-1959 Asahi Pentax K 176XXX (1958) 21,454 made 1958-1959 Heiland Pentax H2 (S2)195XXX (1959) 130,892 made 1959-1963 I've paired each camera with a period correct lens, Takumar 55/2.2 on the AP. Takumar 135/3.5 (first version) on the S. Auto-Takumar 55/1.8 "Zebra" on the K. Auto-Takumar 55/2 on the H2 . My dream collection! I'm waiting for a non-working beaten H2 to arrive. That would be the oldest Pentax in my collection. I think it may be time to start sacrificing some non-Pentax cameras in my collection... Thanks,

07-09-2020, 10:32 PM	#6899
From1980 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Essex, Ontario Posts: 682	Originally posted by steamloco76 Asahi Pentax First Four AP-S-K-H2 (S2) Beautiful. That collection is quite an accomplishment.

07-10-2020, 03:59 AM	#6900
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710	Originally posted by From1980 Beautiful. That collection is quite an accomplishment. Thank you. I always figured my collection would be missing the rare S model until Gerjan Van Oosten (author of The Ultimate Asahi Pentax Screwmount Guide) listed one on an international Pentax buy-sell Facebook group. I messaged immediately. We had to work out exchange rates, PayPal fees and international insured postage from the Netherlands. Total cost of the clean, fully serviced S model was just $290 USD. I would have been insane to have passed it up!