CLeW

The SMC Pentax-A* 1200mm f/8 ED [IF] is a legendary manual-focus super-telephoto prime introduced in 1986 and produced until 2000, representing the longest non-mirror lens ever made by Pentax. Designed for full-frame K-mount film cameras, it was part of the elite A* (A-Star) series and remains one of the rarest and most coveted lenses in the Pentax ecosystem. With a fixed focal length of 1200mm and a maximum aperture of f/8, it was built for extreme reach—ideal for wildlife, surveillance, and astronomical photography. Optically, it features a 9-element - 6-group design, including two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements to minimize chromatic aberration. The lens uses internal focusing (IF), a 9-blade automatic diaphragm, and stops down to f/45. It focuses as close as 8 meters, delivering a 0.23× magnification ratio. The front filter thread is a massive 150mm, but it also accepts 49mm drop-in filters at the rear. It measures 684mm in length, 170mm in diameter, and weighs a staggering 8.58kg. It includes a built-in sliding hood, tripod collar, leather cap, and a dedicated trunk case. There’s no autofocus, weather sealing, or quick-shift focus, but it does feature an “A” setting on the aperture ring for full automation on compatible bodies, including all Pentax DSLRs.

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Release Date: 1986
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