[TomB_tx]

Although I had started with Pentax with an H1a in 1965, I had already skipped through Canon (FT) to Leicaflex SL by the time K mount came out, So I skipped the first K series. But when the M series came out I went back to Pentax for a carry-around SLR when I didn't want to risk the Leica. I built up a considerable K(m) lens collection for less than a single Leica Summilux would have cost.

[mee]

They launched 26 lenses at the same time????

[fuent104]

How the times change. They were able to launch 26 lenses simultaneously, and Ricoh is struggling to launch 2nd premium lens this year.

[gofour3]

They launched 26 lenses at the same time????

Yes 26, but 25 were based on SMC Takumars lenses redesigned into K-Mount versions.

The brand new lens was of course the legendary K50/1.2, which there was no SMC Takumar version.

Phill

[womble]

Yes 26, but 25 were based on SMC Takumars lenses redesigned into K-Mount versions.

The brand new lens was of course the legendary K50/1.2, which there was no SMC Takumar version.

Phill

... and the shift lens according to that article. Still, pretty amazing achievement.

My first real camera was an ME Super in 1982. I still have the remains of it, I wore it out, The replacement was a second-hand MX in 1993.
Sadly that got stolen in Paris in the late '90s.

Here is a picture of my dead ME Super. The first roll of film I shot with it was Kodachrome 64. This image was taken using another ME Super loaded with my last ever roll of Kodachrome 64.


My first ME Super par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

Best wishes, Kris.

[gofour3]

... and the shift lens according to that article. Still, pretty amazing achievement.

My first real camera was an ME Super in 1982. I still have the remains of it, I wore it out, The replacement was a second-hand MX in 1993.
Sadly that got stolen in Paris in the late '90s.

Here is a picture of my dead ME Super. The first roll of film I shot with it was Kodachrome 64. This image was taken using another ME Super loaded with my last ever roll of Kodachrome 64.


My first ME Super par Kris Lockyear, on ipernity

Best wishes, Kris.

The K28/3.5 Shift came out a bit later, the first 26 K Series lenses in June 1975 were the ones on this page:

My old KX is still working fine, though Eric had to do his magic! Have you emailed Eric re your ME Super, or is way past trying to fix. Would be nice to see it out in the field again?

Phil.

[Cuthbert]

They launched 26 lenses at the same time????

I think that Canon in 1971 launched even more FD lenses, but like with the K lenses they were mostly based on the FL system.

Still it's amazing to see how much engineering these companies were able to produce in a relative short time.

Yes 26, but 25 were based on SMC Takumars lenses redesigned into K-Mount versions.

The brand new lens was of course the legendary K50/1.2, which there was no SMC Takumar version.

Phill

According to Keppler the larger inner diameter of the K bayonet allowed to get the room for the rear element of the 50 mm f1.2 that wouldn't have fit a standard M42.

[TomB_tx]

Most of the Japanese camera companies started as optical companies who got into cameras to provide lenses. (Canon a notable exception - they originally used lenses an RF optics from Nippon Kogaku.) The Nikon F had a full range of lenses when it was launched in 1959 - which helped them gain acceptance. Canon also launched their Canonflex in 1959, but with few Lenses.

[womble]

The K28/3.5 Shift came out a bit later, the first 26 K Series lenses in June 1975 were the ones on this page:

My old KX is still working fine, though Eric had to do his magic! Have you emailed Eric re your ME Super, or is way past trying to fix. Would be nice to see it out in the field again?

Phil.

I think I have about half the lenses on that list!

I have thought about it, but it may be too far gone.

Best wishes, Kris.

[Dlanor Sekao]

I have 11 of those lesnses......and glad I do ! Think maybe a Film shoot to celebrate is in order here.

[Cuthbert]

I have 11 of those lesnses......and glad I do ! Think maybe a Film shoot to celebrate is in order here.

One shot for each lens and open a dedicated thread, please!

[gofour3]

think I have about half the lenses on that list!

I have thought about it, but it may be too far gone.

I have 11 of those lesnses......and glad I do ! Think maybe a Film shoot to celebrate is in order here.

One shot for each lens and open a dedicated thread, please!

I remember studding that list when I was a kid and plotting my Pentax kit, unfortunately earning just over $2 per hour did not get me vary far!.
However I have added one or two more from that list over the last couple years, so all is well.

Yes a dedicated K Series lens thread with film only shots would be a great idea.

Phil.

[wkraus]

The K28/3.5 Shift came out a bit later, the first 26 K Series lenses in June 1975 were the ones on this page:

At least two more of these were new designs: the K 4/20mm which replaced a f/4.5 Takumar, and the K 2/35mm with a different construction from its predecessor. Soon to follow were the new K 2/28mm and K 2.8/30mm, while the K 2.8/24mm and K 2.5/200mm only came in the M era.

[Cuthbert]

Yes a dedicated K Series lens thread with film only shots would be a great idea.

Phil.

I think down in the forums there is a "K club" thread, but I was thinking about a thread with one shot for each lens, unfortunately my K collection is limited to two K55/2, two K55/1.8, one K50/1.4 and one K24/2.8...K lenses are relatively rare and expensive.

[TheLens]

My future mother in law has a KX that was her late husband's. I'm trying to talk her into giving it to my fiancee. If she gives it to her, I'll send it to Eric for service.