K mount was developed by Pentax and Carl Zeiss in the early 1970s and released by Pentax in 1975, after Carl Zeiss dropped out of the partnership. It is a bayonet mount with three lugs made for 35mm film format, with a focal flange distance of 45.46mm. Mount supports electric and digital communication, film and digital sensors — both APS-C and 35mm (“full-frame”). The aperture is usually controlled mechanically, with a lens clutch, but it can be controlled electromagnetically on digital cameras made after 2016. Focus can be achieved manually as well as automatically — mount supports screw-drive and digital focus control with lenses with built-in focus motors. There are contacts for power delivery used for powering in-lens motors — like motors used for Power Zoom features, focus motors and stabilization (available only in some 3rd party lenses). The manual focus and aperture automation variant of the mount does not need licensing.
Jump to: K-series, M-series, A-series, F-series, FA-series, DA-series, D FA-series lenses; Terminology.
K-series lenses
Built from 1975 to 1977. K-series lenses are fully mechanical, manual focus lenses, with no aperture automation available. Aperture priority and manual modes are possible with K-series lenses.
At this time, Pentax was testing automatic focusing systems, and released a single autofocus lens — AF Zoom 35–70mm F2.8 — that worked correctly only with Pentax ME-F body. The lens had focusing motor and four AAA batteries, making it big, heavy and oddly shaped.
- smc Pentax Fish-Eye 8.4mm F2.8 circular fisheye lens
- smc Pentax 15mm F3.5
- smc Pentax 15mm F3.5 AL
- smc Pentax Fish-Eye 17mm F4 fisheye lens
- smc Pentax 18mm F3.5
- smc Pentax 20mm F4
- smc Pentax 24mm F2.8
- smc Pentax 24mm F3.5
- smc Pentax 28mm F2
- smc Pentax 28mm F3.5
- smc Pentax Shift 28mm F3.5 shift lens
- smc Pentax Zoom 28–50mm F3.5–4.5
- smc Pentax 30mm F2.8
- smc Pentax 35mm F2
- smc Pentax 35mm F3.5
- smc Pentax AF Zoom 35–70mm F2.8 autofocus lens
- smc Pentax Zoom 45–125mm F4
- smc Pentax 50mm F1.2
- smc Pentax 50mm F1.4
- smc Pentax Macro 50mm F4 macro lens
- smc Pentax 55mm F1.8
- smc Pentax 55mm F2
- smc Pentax 85mm F1.8
- smc Pentax Soft 85mm F2.2 soft-focus lens
- smc Pentax Zoom 80–200mm F4.5
- smc Pentax Zoom 85–210mm F3.5
- smc Pentax Zoom 85–210mm F4.5
- smc Pentax Bellows 100mm F4 bellows lens
- smc Pentax Macro 100mm F4 macro lens
- smc Pentax 105mm F2.8
- smc Pentax 120mm F2.8
- smc Pentax 135mm F2.5
- smc Pentax 135mm F3.5
- smc Pentax Zoom 135–600mm F6.7
- smc Pentax 150mm F4
- smc Pentax 200mm F2.5
- smc Pentax 200mm F4
- smc Pentax 300mm F4
- smc Pentax 400mm F5.6
- smc Pentax Reflex Zoom 400–600mm F8–12 catadioptric lens
- smc Pentax 500mm F4.5
- smc Pentax 1000mm F8
- smc Pentax Reflex 1000mm F11 catadioptric lens
- smc Pentax Reflex 2000mm F13.5 catadioptric lens
M-series lenses
Built from 1977 to 1983. M-series lenses are fully mechanical, manual focus lenses, with no aperture automation available, like the preceding K-series. Aperture priority and manual modes are possible with M-series lenses. The main difference between K-series and M-series lenses are redesigned to be smaller and lighter than the K-series, with smaller diameter filter threads.
- smc Pentax-M 20mm F4 🔗
- smc Pentax-M Zoom 24–35mm F3.5
- smc Pentax-M Zoom 24–50mm F4
- smc Pentax-M 28mm F2
- smc Pentax-M 28mm F2.8 🔗
- smc Pentax-M 28mm F3.5
- smc Pentax-M Zoom 28–50mm F3.5–4.5
- smc Pentax-M 35mm F1.4
- smc Pentax-M 35mm F2
- smc Pentax-M 35mm F2.8 🔗
- smc Pentax-M Zoom 35–70mm F2.8–3.5
- smc Pentax-M 40mm F2.8 🔗 pancake lens
- smc Pentax-M Zoom 40–80mm F2.8–4 🔗
- smc Pentax-M 50mm F1.4 🔗
- smc Pentax-M 50mm F1.7 🔗
- smc Pentax-M 50mm F2 🔗
- smc Pentax-M Macro 50mm F4 🔗 macro lens
- smc Pentax-M Zoom 75–150mm F4 🔗
- smc Pentax-M Zoom 80–200mm F4.5 🔗
- smc Pentax-M 85mm F2
- smc Pentax-M 100mm F2.8 🔗
- smc Pentax-M Macro 100mm F4 macro lens
- smc Pentax-M 120mm F2.8
- smc Pentax-M 135mm F3.5 🔗
- smc Pentax-M 150mm F3.5
- smc Pentax-M 200mm F4 🔗
- smc Pentax-M★ 300mm F4
- smc Pentax-M 400mm F5.6
- smc Pentax-M Reflex 2000mm F13.5 catadioptric lens
A-series
Built from 1983 to 1989. A-series lenses are manual focus lenses, but this time with electric contacts on the lens mount and an A setting on the aperture ring, enabling aperture automation — shutter priority and program modes, along with previously existing aperture priority and manual mode. Lenses are redesigned with a tapered front body, and use a bit more plastic than the previous lens series.
- smc Pentax-A 15mm F3.5
- smc Pentax-A Fish-Eye 16mm F2.8 fisheye lens
- smc Pentax-A 20mm F2.8
- smc Pentax-A 24mm F2.8
- smc Pentax-A Zoom 24–50mm F4
- smc Pentax-A 28mm F2
- smc Pentax-A 28mm F2.8
- smc Pentax-A Zoom 28–80mm F3.5-4.5
- smc Pentax-A Zoom 28–135mm F4
- smc Pentax-A 35mm F2
- smc Pentax-A 35mm F2.8
- smc Pentax-A Zoom 35–70mm F3.5–4.5
- smc Pentax-A Zoom 35–70mm F4
- smc Pentax-A Zoom 35–80mm F4–5.6
- smc Pentax-A Zoom 35–105mm F3.5
- smc Pentax-A Zoom 35–135mm F3.5–4.5
- smc Pentax-A Zoom 35–210mm F3.5–4.5
- smc Pentax-A 50mm F1.2
- smc Pentax-A 50mm F1.4
- smc Pentax-A 50mm F1.7 🔗
- smc Pentax-A 50mm F2
- smc Pentax-A Macro 50mm F2.8 macro lens
- smc Pentax-A Zoom 70–210mm F4
- smc Pentax-A Zoom 80–200mm F4.7–5.6
- smc Pentax-A★ 85mm F1.4
- smc Pentax-A 100mm F2.8
- smc Pentax-A Macro 100mm F2.8 macro lens
- smc Pentax-A Macro 100mm F4 macro lens
- smc Pentax-A★ 135mm F1.8
- smc Pentax-A 135mm F2.8
- smc Pentax-A★ 200mm F2.8 ED
- smc Pentax-A 200mm F4
- smc Pentax-A★ Macro 200mm F4 ED macro lens
- smc Pentax-A★ 300mm F2.8 ED [IF]
- smc Pentax-A★ 300mm F4
- smc Pentax-A★ 400mm F2.8 ED [IF]
- smc Pentax-A 500mm F5.6
- smc Pentax-A★ 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]
- smc Pentax-A★ 1200mm F8 ED [IF]
F-series
Built from 1989 to 1991. F-series lenses are the first generation of autofocus lenses, with all the functionalities of the previous generations. F-series lenses have an additional information pin for digital data transfer with compatible bodies. Lenses have a slotted drive screw to drive the focusing mechanism. Visually, there’s a thin, hard plastic focus ring; usually, all F-series lenses are grey-coloured except for F★ models, which are white.
- smc Pentax-F Fish-Eye 17–28mm F3.5–4.5 fisheye lens
- smc Pentax-F Zoom 24–50mm F4
- smc Pentax-F 28mm F2.8
- smc Pentax-F Zoom 28–80mm F3.5–4.5
- smc Pentax-F Zoom 35–70mm F3.5–4.5 🔗
- smc Pentax-F Zoom 35–80mm F4–5.6
- smc Pentax-F Zoom 35–105mm F4–5.6
- smc Pentax-F Zoom 35–135mm F3.5–4.5
- smc Pentax-F 50mm F1.4
- smc Pentax-F 50mm F1.7
- smc Pentax-F Macro 50mm F2.8 macro lens
- smc Pentax-F Zoom 70–210mm F4–5.6
- smc Pentax-F 80–200mm F4.7–5.6
- smc Pentax-F Soft 85mm F2.8 soft-focus lens
- smc Pentax-F Macro 100mm F2.8 macro lens
- smc Pentax-F Zoom 100–300mm F4.5–5.6
- smc Pentax-F 135mm F2.8 [IF]
- smc Pentax-F★ Zoom 250–600mm F5.6 ED [IF]
- smc Pentax-F★ 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]
- smc Pentax-F★ 600mm F4 ED [IF]
FA-series
Built from 1991 to 2007. FA-series lenses are the second generation of autofocus lenses, with all the functionalities of the previous generations. FA-series lenses have their MFT chart stored in the lens, compatible bodies can use it in Program modes. Some zoom lenses came with Power Zoom functionality that requires an additional two contacts for power delivery. FA J sub-series lenses don’t have an aperture ring, they behave as permanently locked in the A position. FA-series lenses have a bit softer, more rounded design, slightly larger focus ring, and are usually very dark grey/off-black coloured. FA★ models are all bright-silver, FA Limited lenses have silver versions, FA J lenses and some other FA lenses also come in silver. Lenses with HD coatings and Classic lenses are still in production.
- smc Pentax-FA J 18–35mm F4–5.6 AL
- smc Pentax-FA 20mm F2.8
- smc Pentax-FA 20–35mm F4 AL
- smc Pentax-FA★ 24mm F2 AL [IF]
- smc Pentax-FA 24–90mm F3.5–4.5 AL [IF]
- smc Pentax-FA 28mm F2.8 AL 🔗
- smc Pentax-FA 28mm F2.8 Soft soft-focus lens
- smc Pentax-FA★ 28–70mm F2.8 AL PZ power-zoom lens
- smc Pentax-FA 28–70mm F4 AL 🔗
- smc Pentax-FA 28–80mm F3.5–4.7 PZ 🔗 macro lens
- smc Pentax-FA 28–80mm F3.5–5.6
- smc Pentax-FA 28–80mm F3.5–5.6 AL
- smc Pentax-FA J 28–80mm F3.5–5.6 AL
- smc Pentax-FA 28–90mm F3.5–5.6 🔗
- smc Pentax-FA 28–105mm F3.2–4.5 AL [IF]
- smc Pentax-FA 28–105mm F4–5.6 PZ power-zoom lens
- smc Pentax-FA 28–105mm F4–5.6 [IF]
- smc Pentax-FA 28–200mm F3.8–5.6 AL [IF]
- HD Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 Limited
- smc Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 Limited
- HD Pentax-FA 35mm F2
- smc Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL
- smc Pentax-FA 35–80mm F4–5.6
- HD Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
- smc Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited 🔗
- HD Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4
- smc Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic 2023 edition
- smc Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4 🔗
- smc Pentax-FA 50mm F1.7
- smc Pentax-FA 50mm F2.8 Macro macro lens
- smc Pentax-FA 70–200mm F4–5.6 PZ 🔗 power-zoom lens
- smc Pentax-FA J 75–300mm F4.5–5.8 AL
- HD Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
- smc Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
- smc Pentax-FA★ 80–200mm F2.8 ED [IF] PZ power-zoom lens
- smc Pentax-FA 80–200mm F4.7–5.6
- smc Pentax-FA 80–320mm F4.5–5.6
- smc Pentax-FA★ 85mm F1.4
- smc Pentax-FA 85mm F2.8 Soft soft-focus lens
- smc Pentax-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro 🔗 macro lens
- smc Pentax-FA 100mm F3.5 Macro macro lens
- smc Pentax-FA 100–300mm F4.5–5.6 PZ power-zoom lens
- smc Pentax-FA 100–300mm F4.7–5.8
- smc Pentax-FA 135mm F2.8 [IF]
- smc Pentax-FA★ 200mm F2.8 ED [IF]
- smc Pentax-FA★ 200mm F4 Macro ED [IF] macro lens
- smc Pentax-FA★ 250–600mm F5.6 ED [IF] PZ
- smc Pentax-FA★ 300mm F2.8 ED [IF]
- smc Pentax-FA★ 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]
- smc Pentax-FA★ 400mm F5.6 ED [IF]
- smc Pentax-FA★ 600mm F4 ED [IF]
DA-series
In production since 2007. DA-series lenses are designed for digital cameras with APS-C-sized sensors. Except for the reduced image circle, DA series lenses are identical to FA J lenses, features-wise. KAF4 lenses have an electromagnetic aperture, not connected mechanically like previous lenses, meaning most older cameras cannot control the aperture. HD DA lenses have updated HD coatings, rounded aperture blades, different naming schemes, typography and colours.
- HD Pentax-DA 10–17mm F3.5–4.5 Fish-Eye ED ~15–26mm-equivalent, fisheye lens
- smc Pentax-DA 10–17mm F3.5–4.5 Fish-Eye ED [IF] ~15–26mm-equivalent, fisheye lens
- HD Pentax-DA★ 11–18mm F2.8 ED DC AW ~17–28mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 12–24mm F4 ED AL [IF] ~18–36mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 14mm F2.8 ED [IF] ~21mm-equivalent
- HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited 23mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited 23mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 16–45mm F4 ED AL [IF] 🔗 ~24–70mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA★ 16–50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM ~24–75mm-equivalent
- HD Pentax-DA★ 16–50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW ~24–75mm-equivalent, KAF4 mount
- HD Pentax-DA 16–85mm F3.5–5.6 ED DC WR ~24–130mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 17–70mm F4 AL [IF] SDM ~26–105mm-equivalent
- HD Pentax-DA 18–50mm F4–5.6 DC WR RE ~28–75mm-equivalent
- HD Pentax-DA L 18–50mm F4–5.6 DC WR RE 🔗 ~28–75mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 AL 🔗 ~28–85mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 AL II 🔗 ~28–85mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 AL WR ~28–85mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA L 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 AL ~28–85mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA L 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 AL WR ~28–85mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 18–135mm F3.5–5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR ~28–205mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 18–250mm F3.5–6.3 ED AL [IF] ~28–380mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 18–270mm F3.5–6.3 ED SDM ~28–410mm-equivalent
- HD Pentax-DA 20–40mm F2.8–4 ED Limited DC WR ~30–60mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 20–40mm F2.8–4 ED Limited DC WR ~30–60mm-equivalent
- HD Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited 32mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited 32mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL ~50mm-equivalent
- HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited ~50mm-equivalent, macro lens
- smc Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited 🔗 ~50mm-equivalent, macro lens
- HD Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited ~60mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited ~60mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 XS ~60mm-equivalent, extremely small pancake lens
- smc Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8 ~75mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA★ 50–135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM 🔗 ~75–205mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 50–200mm F4–5.6 ED ~75–300mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA L 50–200mm F4–5.6 ED 🔗 ~75–300mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 50–200mm F4–5.6 ED WR ~75–300mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA L 50–200mm F4–5.6 ED WR ~75–300mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA★ 55mm F1.4 SDM ~85mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 55–300mm F4–5.8 ED 🔗 ~85–450mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 55–300mm F4–5.8 ED WR ~85–450mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA L 55–300mm F4–5.8 ED ~85–450mm-equivalent
- HD Pentax-DA 55–300mm F4.5–6.3 ED PLM WR RE ~85–450mm-equivalent, KAF4 mount
- smc Pentax-DA★ 60–250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM 🔗 ~90–380mm-equivalent
- HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited ~105mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited ~105mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA★ 200mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM ~300mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA★ 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM ~450mm-equivalent
- smc Pentax-DA 560mm F5.6 ED AW ~850mm-equivalent
Samsung Schneider-Kreuznach D lenses
Samsung Schneider-Kreuznach D lenses are rebadged smc Pentax-DA lenses for use with Samsung rebranded Pentax DSLR cameras. The difference between the lenses is a different badging, different patterns on rubber focus/zoom rings and blue decorative rings, instead of the green ones found on Pentax lenses. There are two different branding schemes for the same lenses – one names a lens as Samsung, both on the front ring, and on a name plaque at the back, near the mount, and the other names a lens as Schneider-Kreuznach on the front ring, and D-Xenon or D-Xenogon on a name plaque.
- Samsung/Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenogon 10–17mm F3.5–4.5 Fisheye ED ~15–26mm-equivalent, fisheye lens
- Samsung/Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 12–24mm F4 ED AL ~18–36mm-equivalent
- Samsung/Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 16–45mm F4 ED AL ~24–70mm-equivalent
- Samsung/Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 AL ~28–85mm-equivalent
- Samsung/Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 18–250mm F3.5–6.3 ED AL ~28–380mm-equivalent
- Samsung/Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenogon 35mm F2 AL ~50mm-equivalent
- Samsung/Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 50–200mm F4–5.6 ED ~75–300mm-equivalent
- Samsung/Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 100mm F2.8 Macro ~150mm-equivalent, macro lens
D FA-series
D FA-series lenses are designed for digital full-frame sensors; besides sensor coverage (and, consequentially, size and weight) are identical to DA-series lenses – no aperture ring and some use KAF4 mount with electromagnetically driven aperture.
- HD Pentax-D FA 15–30mm F2.8 ED SDM WR
- HD Pentax-D FA 21mm F2.4 ED Limited DC WR KAF4 mount
- HD Pentax-D FA 24–70mm F2.8 ED SDM WR
- HD Pentax-D FA 28–105mm F3.5–5.6 ED DC WR
- HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm F1.4 SDM AW KAF4 mount
- smc Pentax-D FA Macro 50mm F2.8 macro lens
- HD Pentax-D FA★ 70–200mm F2.8 ED DC AW
- HD Pentax-D FA 70–210mm F4 ED SDM WR KAF4 mount
- HD Pentax-D FA★ 85mm F1.4 SDM AW KAF4 mount
- smc Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm F2.8 🔗 macro lens
- smc Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm F2.8 WR macro lens
- HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm F2.8 ED AW macro lens
- HD Pentax-D FA 150–450mm F4.5–5.6 ED DC AW
Pentax Lens terminology
- ★ — a lens that is built to the finest optical and mechanical standard;
- AL — a lens that uses at least one Aspherical Lens element;
- AW — a lens that has additional seals for the best resistance to dust, moisture and light rain. it is suitable for All Weather conditions;
- DC — a lens that uses a Direct Current motor for in-lens focusing;
- ED — a lens that uses at least one Extra-low Dispersion lens element;
- [IF] — a lens that uses an Internal Focusing mechanism, it does not change the size while focusing;
- Limited — a lens that is built to the finest mechanical standard, with a distinctive appearance and detailed finish;
- PLM — a lens that uses a PuLse autofocus Motor for in-lens focusing;
- PZ — a lens that supports Power Zoom functionality, like motorized zoom control;
- RE — a lens that is REtractable, and can be collapsed to a smaller size;
- SDM — a lens that uses a Supersonic Drive Motor for in-lens focusing;
- WR — a lens that has additional seals for better Weather Resistance to dust, fog and light rain;
- XS — a lens that is built for the smallest possible size, it is eXtra Small.
References
- The K Mount Page
- HD PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8ED AW: A macro lens for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras on Ricoh-imaging.co.jp
- Products Archive at Pentax.eu Official Store
- Samsung Lenses on DPReview
- Ricoh announces pair of 50mm F1.4 K-mount lenses on DPReview
Last update: 24. 5. 2023.