The SMC Pentax-A* 600mm f/5.6 ED [IF] is a manual-focus super-telephoto prime introduced in 1984 for the Pentax K-mount, and produced until 2000. It was Pentax’s first 600mm lens for 35mm format and part of the elite A* (Star) series, designed to deliver professional-grade optics with extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and internal focusing (IF). Though slower than its autofocus F* and FA* 600mm F4 successors, it’s significantly lighter, more compact, and still highly regarded for its optical clarity and handling. The lens features an 8-element, 6-group design with a 9-blade automatic diaphragm, stopping down to f/45. It focuses as close as 5.5 meters, yielding a 0.12× magnification ratio, and uses a rear-mounted 49mm drop-in filter along with an optional 112mm front protective filter. It weighs 3280g, measures 133 × 386mm, and includes a built-in sliding hood, a rotating tripod collar, and a dedicated trunk case. The aperture ring includes an “A” setting for full automation on compatible bodies, and the lens supports Pentax rear converters like the A 1.4X-L and 2X-L.

Country of Origin:
Release Date: 1984
Launch Price:
Design Revisions: