Meaning of PENTAX Camera/Lens Terms and Notations

ASAHI PENTAX～PENTAX

An SLR camera released by Asahi Optical in May 1957.
The company's camera products, originally called Asahiflex, were renamed Pentax after a pentaprism was incorporated. The brand name "Asahi Pentax" was used for camera-centric products for some time, and
Pentax became the brand name from the PENTAX MV-1, released in September 1979.
On October 1, 2002, the company changed its name to Pentax Corporation.
(Afterwards, it was acquired by HOYA, and the camera business was transferred to RICOH. After changing its name to Pentax Ricoh Imaging Corporation, it became Ricoh Imaging Corporation.)

M42 Mount

Common name for the Praktica screw mount. It is a screw-in type mount.
It originated with the East German Praktica, but became a widely adopted universal mount worldwide.

Takumar

Lens brand name. It is said to be named after Takuma Kajiwara, a relative of the founder of Asahi Optical.

K Mount

Derived from "King-of-S.L.R." Pentax's unique bayonet mount.
Because the patent for the K mount was public, camera bodies and lenses were also released by other companies, making it a universal mount.
The K mount continues to be used even after electronic advancements. Functions have been added over time, and it is categorized as follows:

KA Mount

K mount with added lens information contacts.
Supports multi-mode and multi-program AE.
Compatible with smc PENTAX A series.

KAF Mount

KA mount with added AF coupler.
Supports AF via in-body motor.
Compatible with smc PENTAX DA L, D FA, DA, FA J, FA, F series.

KAF2 Mount

KAF mount with added power contacts. Supports power zoom.
Compatible with smc PENTAX DA★, FA lens series.

KAF3 Mount

KAF2 mount with the AF coupler removed. For in-lens AF motor.
Compatible with HD PENTAX-D FA★, FA, smc PENTAX-DA L, -DA series.

KAF4 Mount

KAF3 mount with electromagnetic aperture and aperture lever removed.
Compatible with HD PENTAX-DA series.

SMC

Abbreviation for Super Multi Coated.

A

Compatible with KA mount.

F

Implements autofocus function.
Compatible with KAF mount.

FA

Optimized traditional F lenses for autofocus specifications.
Some lenses in this series are compatible with KAF2 mount.

FA J

A series designed for cost reduction and smaller, lighter weight than the FA series.

DA

Compatible with digital SLR cameras equipped with APS-C size sensors.
The exterior design follows the FA J lens.

D FA

Compatible with digital SLR cameras equipped with 35mm full-frame sensors.

Limited

A series focused on imaging performance and design.

★

Given to high-end, premium lenses.
Read as "Star".

HD

Abbreviation for High Definition.
A coating that suppresses ghosting and flare.

AW

Abbreviation for All Weather. Refers to dustproof and splashproof specifications.

WR

Abbreviation for Water Resistant. Refers to simple splashproof specifications.

RE

Refers to collapsible lenses.

PLM

Abbreviation for Pulse Motor.
Employs a pulse motor inside the lens barrel.

SDM

Abbreviation for Supersonic Direct-drive Motor.
Refers to an ultrasonic motor.

DC

Refers to a DC motor.

IF

The length of the lens does not change during focusing.

AL

Abbreviation for Aspherical Lens.
Aspherical lens.

ED

Abbreviation for Extra-Low Dispersion.
Uses special low-dispersion glass.

SR

Abbreviation for Shake Reduction.
Refers to image stabilization function.