From eyeglass lenses to medical endoscopes: the evolution of Pentax
In short: What began in 1919 as a small Tokyo workshop polishing eyeglass lenses has transformed into a global force in medical imaging. Once a pioneer of Japanese single-lens reflex cameras, the Pentax brand now navigates a split existence between consumer photography and advanced surgical technology.
The origins of Pentax trace back to November 1919, when Kumao Kajiwara founded Asahi Kogaku Goshi Kaisha in Tokyo's Toshima suburb. Originally a limited partnership specializing in spectacle lenses, the company underwent several transformations, including a name change to Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. in 1938. During the lead-up to World War II, the firm focused heavily on fulfilling military contracts for optical instruments. Following the war, the company was disbanded by occupying powers but was permitted to reform in 1948, eventually resuming production of binoculars and camera lenses for brands like Konica and Minolta.
A major milestone occurred in 1952 when Asahi Optical introduced the Asahiflex, Japan's first single-lens reflex (SLR) camera using 35mm film. The company later acquired the 'Pentax' trademark—originally from the East German VEB Zeiss Ikon—in 1957. This era established the brand's reputation for high-quality optical equipment, including the famous Pentax 6x7 medium format series used between 1969 and 1990.
The modern landscape of the brand is defined by a strategic split. In 2007, Pentax was acquired by Hoya, which sought to leverage Pentax's expertise to strengthen its medical business, specifically in endoscopes and intraocular lenses. By 2011, Hoya sold the Pentax digital camera business to Ricoh for approximately 10 billion yen ($124.2 million). Today, the Pentax name survives in two distinct spheres: as a division of Hoya for medical endoscopes and as a digital and film camera brand under Ricoh Imaging. This legacy was recently highlighted on June 17, 2024, when Ricoh Imaging launched the Pentax 17, the brand's first film camera in over two decades.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Pentax
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