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Abbreviations

Sample photos (6)

Model history (5)

Specification

Sources of data

• Manufacturer's technical data.
• Asahi Pentax series lenses and accessories booklet (PUB. 06771, 60 pages).
• smc Pentax-A lenses operating manual.
• Honeywell Hot Line Newsletter.
• Pentax LX booklet (PUB. 06511).
• Asahi Pentax MX booklet (PUB. 06241).
• Asahi Pentax MX booklet (PUB. 06241) (March 1981).
• Pentax MV booklet (PUB. 06021).
• Pentax MV1 booklet (PUB. 06036).
• Pentax MG booklet (PUB. 06221) (July 1983).
• Pentax LX booklet (PUB. 06506) (April 1981).
• The many eyes of Pentax booklet (PUB. 06071).
• Pentax cameras booklet (PUB. 06091, 32 pages).
• Asahi Pentax ME booklet (PUB. 06006).
• Pentax ME Super booklet (PUB. 06731).
• Asahi Pentax smc Pentax lenses booklet.
• Pentax lenses and accessories booklet (PUB. 06771) (April 1983).
• Pentax lenses and accessories booklet (PUB. 08051).
• Pentax lenses & accessories - A Comprehensive and Versatile Photographic System booklet.
• Pentax ME Super booklet (PUB. 06726) (March 1981).

Manufacturer description #1

Designed chiefly for excellence in macrophotographic work, this highly versatile lens can also be used as a standard focal length lens. In combination with a Reverse Adaptor K, it can also provide greater-than-life-size magnification.

Manufacturer description #2

Ordinary lenses are designed to produce optimum sharpness over a range from several meters to infinity. Consequently, there is a drop in resolution when they are used at close distances, such as from 1/10 lifesize to lifesize. Macro lenses, on the other hand, are of special lens construction and optical design to produce optimum sharpness at close distances (usually 1/10 ~ 1/5 lifesize). For copy work, macro lenses offer corner-to-corner sharpness, even when used wide open. Furthermore, the optical performance of macro lenses at far distances, including infinity, nearly match that of ordinary lenses. Therefore, the SMC Pentax 50mm macro lens can be used in place of the standard lens. Similarly, the SMC Pentax 100mm macro lens can be used in place if the 105mm telephoto lens for general purpose photography in addition to macro- photography.

Both the SMC Pentax 50 and 100mm macro lense focus all the way to 1/2 lifesize. When combined with the K Series auto extension tubes, it is possible to photograph at a 1:1 (Iifesize) reproduction ratio. For maximum convenience, the K Series auto extension tubes retain full-aperture metering as well as diaphragm automation.

Since macro lenses are often used for copy work. distortion is kept to a minimum (0.1%), so that straight lines appear straight right to the edges.

As both SMC Pentax macro lenses have a lens construction of three groups, there are relatively few reflecting surfaces, and the close proximity of the lens groups also considerably reduces the possibility of internal reflections. The combination of the above coupled to SMC multi-coating makes it almost impossible for photographs to be marred by flare when using the SMC Pentax macro lenses.

Due to the fact that both macro lenses have their front elements substantially recessed, there ordinarily is no need to use a lenshood.

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Designed for Convenient Close-Ups. Highly corrected for close-up photography, this versatile macro also makes an excellent all-around standard lens. It focuses from infinity to as close as 9-1/4 inches, and when used with a Reverse Adapter can make larger-than-life-size images. Construction is 4 elements in 3 groups, and the angle of view is 46°.

Pentax-M series

The second generation of lenses designed for Asahi Pentax 35mm SLR cameras with bayonet mount. Introduced with Asahi Pentax ME and MX in 1976.

• Miniaturized lenses with average 20% less weight and length than their standard SMC counterparts, but with no sacrifice in quality of construction, resolution, durability or contrast;
• Robust, all-metal design with recessed focusing distance scale;
• Fully automatic diaphragm;
• Support for TTL open-aperture metering;
• Extremely accurate manual focusing with rubberized focusing ring;
• Multi-layer anti-reflection coating.

Other macro lenses in the Pentax K system

Lenses with similar focal length