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Pentax SFXn / SF1n

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18 65,561 Sun September 10, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $61.94 8.13
Pentax SFXn / SF1n

Pentax SFXn / SF1n
supersize
Pentax SFXn / SF1n
supersize

Description:
SFXN/SF1N
Year introduced
1989
Mount
KAF
Meter range
1 - 20 EV
Meter pattern
c
ISO range
6 - 6400
DX ISO range
25 - 5000
Exposure modes
P, Av, Tv, M, X, B
Exposure compensation
+/-4 EV
Exposure memory lock
Yes
Shutter speeds (auto)
30 - 1/4000s
Shutter speeds (manual)
1 - 1/4000s
Shutter speeds (mechanical)
None
Self timer
Yes
Mirror lock-up
No
Auto bracketing
Yes
Multiple exposures
No
Winder
Built-in 2.2 fps
Built-in flash
Yes, GN 14
TTL flash
Yes
P-TTL flash
No
Sync speed
1/125s
Flash exposure comp
No
Autofocus
Yes (1 point)
Autofocus sensitivity
2 - 18 EV
Power zoom
No
Viewfinder
0.81x, 92%
Viewfinder type
Pentaprism
Diopter correction
Yes
Exchangeable screen
Yes
Depth of field preview
No
Image size
24 x 36 mm
Panorama format
No
Battery
2CR5
Battery grip/pack
AA battery grip
Size (W x H x D)
154.5 x 99 x 63.5 mm
Weight
665 g
Comment
Program modes: Normal, Action, Depth of field.
Special accessory: Interval data back
Price History:



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Forum Member

Registered: December, 2020
Posts: 85

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: September 10, 2023 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: First one lasted over 20 year and I managed to find one which seems to work
Cons: You need to get 4AA attachment otherwise batteries are expensive

Dear All
It was an interesting camera to take pictures at live music events...
You could auto bracket images which in a live music situation was a real bonus.
The 4AA battery holder is the essential item.
Best WG
Ps I used it to take this picture...
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1258998581...useflowers.jpg
   
Forum Member

Registered: June, 2014
Posts: 58

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: October 13, 2021 Recommended | Price: $36.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: design, build quality, big viewfinder with focus confirmation, 1/4000 max shutter speed, affordable
Cons: no way to set aperture in camera, F values not shown in the viewfinder, loud, uses expensive batteries

Believe it or not, I bought this camera exclusively for its design. Many reviewers say it's ugly, in my opinion it's not true. The SF1n among cameras is like Pontiac Aztek among cars – a bold fashion statement and a slap on the face to the public taste

The camera looks more complex and advanced than it actually is. In fact, it's pretty basic like a big point & shoot. This camera is as simple (and loud!) as the Mosin-Nagant rifle The ergonomics may look strange at the first glance, but after getting used to it, it becomes very straightforward. The autofocus isn't very fast but accurate. Manual focus is very easy due to focus confirmation and two little arrows that show which way to rotate the focusing ring. There is no matrix metering, however the test roll turned out properly exposed. I used several lenses, both auto and manual focus, and all the pictures were perfectly focused. Speaking of lenses, I especially like to use the old A 35-135mm F3.5-4.5 on this camera. It's a lens from the previous generation, but it looks like this lens and the SF1n were made for each other (see the picture).

The camera has some annoying drawbacks: it's loud, it uses expensive batteries, and the AA battery grip is rare and hard to come by, there is no way to set aperture other than using the aperture ring of the lens. The camera works with aperture ringless lenses, but in this case there is no way to set the exact F value, and it's not even displayed in the viewfinder! It may be controlled indirectly though – the camera has two modes for that: Action (fast shutter speed and large aperture) and Depth (small aperture).


UPDATE. I recently shot a roll in a cold weather with the temperatures from -5C to -10C. About 1/3 of the frames turned out black. Apparently, the old lubricant froze and prevented the shutter from opening. Unless recently CLA'ed, I advise not to shoot this camera at subzero temperatures.


Conclusion: if you like to obsessively control every shooting parameter, this camera is not for you. You would be better off with the Z-1P. However, if you prefer to think about composition rather than exposure and use manual lenses a lot, the SF1n would be a great camera for you.

   
Pentaxian

Registered: May, 2016
Posts: 3,722

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: July 14, 2021 Recommended | Price: $30.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Build, ergonomics, noise, design
Cons: Locking manual focus switch, battery door, noise, design

Sharing some thoughts after using the camera for not too long. I think this is a love it or hate it camera. I love it and will keep it. Despite the plastic shell it feels very solid and is comfortable to hold, on par with the Pz1p. The rubber grip is well made and hasn't degraded with age.


The control system is interesting in a good way, pretty quick to use and for me I'm holding the camera with two hands anyway when shooting. I personally prefer the LCD to be on the prism hood. The viewfinder is nice, and I enjoy having arrows to tell me which way to adjust focus, very handy for manual focus.


It's indeed loud, but again on par with the Pz1p. It has a design that hasn't aged well, but it's mostly dependent on the lens. Paired with an F series lens it looks great. And as a plus, the edge behind the LCD is great if you need to pinch the back of the camera to pull it out of a narrow bag.
   
New Member

Registered: February, 2021
Posts: 2

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: May 17, 2021 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Tank-like build, Reliable AF, Solid Ergonomics, 1/4000 max shutter, Confidence inspiring
Cons: Loud, No Aperture display in VF

How many times have you read about at a camera and been excited to try it out only to be disappointed once you have it in hand? Conversely, have picked up a camera with no expectations and been completely blown away? The later is the story with the SFXn for me.

Is it loud? Hell yes! Does it look like it came from the set of Robocop? Yep. Does it use a bizarre control system of rocker switches that died with hair metal? check.

None of that matters. Pentax built something special with this model - a camera that feels great in the hand (if a bit substantial), performs as expected and delivers confidence. Granted, I'd never take this camera out to shoot a church wedding or anything that required discretion, but models love the auditory feedback of each shutter click and there is something to be said for that.

Considering this was first gen AF, the system locks on tenaciously, accompanied by a significant amount of R2D2 like whirs and whizzes. I love it. Again, not for quiet spaces but if you and your subjects don't mind, I think it sounds terrific.

I can't get over how the camera feels like it is operating at factory spec, some 33 years later. The hard plastic can get a bit slippy in warm weather but at least it doesn't have a deteriorating sticky finish like some cameras of the era.

Those rocker switches actually do a nice job controlling the camera but it is too bad that you need to use both hands - not a huge deal given how simple the controls are but still not natural to how most camera controls work. Pentax definitely wasn't shy about departing from the control norms. The MZ-S has similar weirdo ideas.

Because it was produced so early in the MF to AF transition period, the VF is as large and bright as most good MF film cameras and I have no issue focusing straight off the screen without any focusing aids like a split prism. The focus confirmation is a nice touch and accurate but I mostly ignore it. Overall, this is a camera that I long to pick-up, hold and use and so far it has done nothing but deliver the goods, both with AF and MF lenses.

Highly recommended if you like chunky, brutalist designed cameras that get the job done.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: October, 2008
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 8,085

5 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 5, 2019 Recommended | Price: $15.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Handling, 1/4000 shutter speed. Cheap price.
Cons: No DOF preview, MLU. Noisy winder & AF.

The Pentax SFXn/SF1n was released in November 1988 and was the last of the SF Series first generation auto-focus film cameras. It replaced the original SFX/SF1 released in the previous year and the SFXn/SF1n has a few improvements* over its predecessor. The SFXn/SF1n remained in production until 1991, when the new second generation AF Z/PZ Series cameras were released.

The SFXn/SF1n is another camera where Pentax had different names for different markets. It was called the SFXn in Japan & International markets, but for the North American market it was named the SF1n. The cameras are identical, but have different manuals.

* The SFXn/SF1n upgrades include; faster shutter speed of 1/4000, faster flash sync speed of 1/125 and two more drive modes “automatic bracketing & multi-frame self-timer”.

Build & Handling:
The SFXn/SF1n’s build is Ok and is clearly more plastic when compared to a K Series body. I have not heard of any issues with cracked bottom plates like in the Z/PZ Series or plastic gears jamming like in the MZ/ZX Series.

You have to go all the way back to the K Series K2/K2MD to find a Pentax film camera this heavy! This is a big plus for me and my bigger lenses are nicely balanced on this body. Try shooting with a K200/2.5 handheld on a MX or ME and you’ll see why smaller bodies are lousy with bigger lenses. The right-side battery grip, also adds to the excellent overall handling of the SFXn/SF1n.

There are two "control" switches on the left side top to change the mode/drive/EF/ISO, via the "select" switch located on the right side top. This works OK and does require using both hands.


Observations:
- Focusing: There are two auto-focusing options (single & servo) and manual focusing. I tried auto-focusing a few times and it’s noisy and awkward. There is only the center focusing point, so if you want to focus on another part in the shot then you will need to use focus lock. AF is not my “cup of tea” and I find it quicker & easier to manual-focus. So I’ll only use MF with my SF1n and conserve battery power! Note to move the camera into the “manual” focus setting, you have to press a button while sliding the focus-mode switch. When manually focusing you can use either the “focus indication” system or just the plain matte focusing screen. The FI system is also awkward to use, so I try to ignore it and just focus off the matte screen. The SFXn/SF1n also has interchangeable focusing screens and there was also a grid screen available.

- Drive Modes/Winder: The SFXn/SF1n has a built in winder with five drive modes to choose from, so you have numerous shooting options. The “single-frame advance” is the one I use 99% of the time. The “automatic bracketing” is useful occasionally, if you want to over/under expose a shot with a specific value. The other two “self-timer” modes and the “consecutive advance” mode are nice to have, but I probably will never use them. The winder is very noisy and when the roll is finished it’s not automatically rewound. This gives you time to get some ear protection, before you press the switch on the bottom of the camera to rewind the film. You get over 20 seconds of a loud noise which sounds like a power drill! Very embarrassing if done in a crowded place.

- Exposure Modes: The SFXn/SF1n has three (normal, action & depth) program modes, shutter priority, aperture priority, metered manual, 1/125 for flash & bulb. I use aperture priority pretty well all the time for regular shooting and the “normal” program mode if using a flash. Note if you want to use a lens with no aperture ring then you can only use the three program or shutter priority modes. The SFXn/SF1n can’t adjust the lenses aperture in the aperture priority mode. The SFXn/SF1n also has exposure memory lock.

- DX Coding/Exposure Compensation: The SFXn/SF1n has the DX coding feature, but unlike the previous Pentax “P” Series cameras also has DX coding override. You also have a manual ISO setting for non DX coded film & exposure compensation of -4 to +4 EV, so you are good to go for any type of film or push/pull processing.

- Viewfinder Display/CENTIC Display Panel: The viewfinder on the SFXn/SF1n is not particularly big or bright and is somewhat cluttered by the FI system on the bottom center of the display. The exposure mode and shutter speed are shown on the right side, but not the aperture value. The CENTIC display on the top of the camera has the aperture value and everything else. It would have been nice to also have the aperture value shown in the viewfinder. The SFXn/SF1n comes with the “Eyecup F” and it helps in bright shooting conditions, though the eye-cup does make it hard to see the right side of the viewfinder where the shutter speeds are indicated. The diopter adjustment switch is covered by the Eyecup F.

Flash: The SFXn/SF1n has a small built-in TTL flash (RFT) that is occasionally useful for fill-in flash. It also drains the 2CR5 battery pretty quickly, so I would use one of the two dedicated external TTL flashes designed for the SFXn/SF1n instead. (The Pentax AF400FTZ & AF240FT are recommended for use with the SFXn/SF1n.) I bought the AF400FTZ and it works nicely with my SF1n, though it’s rather big and clunky.

-Batteries: The battery compartment is on the side of the grip and you need one 6V 2CR5 lithium battery or you can get the optional “AA” grip and use four of those batteries. You can extend the battery life by turning off the “PCV” tone, using manual-focus and not using the RFT flash.

-Case: The SFXn/SF1n uses the soft case marked “X/1” and it came in three sizes, S, M & L. The camera manual lists the lenses that will fit in each sized case.


Summary:
If you miss “shoulder pads”, “Milli Vanilli” and “Miami Vice”, then this is the camera for you. The Pentax SFXn/SF1n screams the late 1980’s and is big, loud & brash just like that era. The SFXn/SF1n is the best choice in the SF Series cameras and the 1/4000 shutter speed is one of its best features for me. (The first Pentax camera to have it) I can now use my fast lenses wide open, without needing a ND filter most of the time. Unfortunately the SFXn/SF1n is missing DOF preview and MLU, so that’s a big negative for me.

Overall the SFXn/SF1n is not bad if you’re feeling nostalgic, but it's not a camera that I would want to use every day. I rate the my SF1n an 8.5, rounded down to an 8.

Here’s how I rank the SFXn/SF1n in my Pentax K-mount film body collection:

1) LX, 2) K2DMD, 3) KX, 4) SUPER A, 5) K2, 6) MX, 7) SF1n, 8) ME F, 9) P50, 10) KM, 11) ME, 12) K1000SE, 13) K1000


Price:
I paid $15.00 USD for my SF1n and it’s in excellent + condition. Everything works and it came with the Eyecup F, hot-shoe & remote release socket caps.
   
Senior Member

Registered: June, 2013
Posts: 171

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: April 12, 2017 Recommended | Price: $31.25 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Works with all Pentax Lenses
Cons: This one is stuck in program mode

I have just got this in excellent condition but the select button isn't working I can't select any modes set iso or exposure compensation.

However I got it with 2 CR5 batteries 3 boxes of cheap agfa film and a sigma AF 35-70mm f3.5 -f4.5 lens which is multi-coated and has a 52mm rotating front element.

So going from last weeks ME Super which I really liked how is it?

Well to be fair it is fairly similar in practice,

The camera is going to take its best shot at taking a photo in program mode but i have zip control over aperture but if I don't use the A setting on the aperture ring then i have f-stop control and i can also lock exposure. so I can apply a smaller aperture or larger with the camera metering to apply some. So not unusable as it is kinda closer to the sf7 than I would have liked but with a higher shutter speed available.

So yes I think even faulty it's not a bad camera and the way my eyes are these days the focus confirmation is needed

I really can't complain really those 2 2CR5 batteries would have cost around the same as i paid for it. Need to check out the Sigma lens which also is mint and see if that made it a bargain
   
Pentaxian

Registered: April, 2009
Location: Madrid, Spain
Posts: 10,847

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: October 12, 2015 Recommended | Price: $30.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Solid, comfortable to hold, max shutter speed
Cons: Big, noisy, not a great focusing screen, shutter delay, ugly

The SFXn is a strange beast. It has such luxuries as 1/4000s maximum shutter speed, exposure compensation in half-stop increments and little arrows in the viewfinder which indicate which way you need to turn the focusing ring to correctly focus manually. However, it's missing basics like DOF preview, a shutter which fires as soon as the button is pressed and a decent focusing screen, and has the noisiest film wind (and rewind - wow) ever. Focusing is extremely noisy and it must be the camera mechanism because the lenses aren't noisy on my other cameras. The camera seems solidly built and is heavy, much better built than the later MZ series AF cameras.

Due to being ugly and noisy it doesn't cost very much, which is nice.

It's very comfortable to hold but that's mainly because it's huge compared to other Pentax film SLRs. The AF seems to work well, on a par with the much later MZ-5N and much better than the MZ-6. The 1/4000s shutter speed is very useful, especially living in a sunny country (even at ISO 400 I can get down to f/4 for a proper exposure). The plain focusing screen is not easy to use and focus isn't the clearest (and therefore the fastest) but it's adequate, especially with focus confirmation. There is a noticeable delay between pressing the shutter button and the shutter firing if you half-press to activate the AF system. If you press all the way without doing that then the shutter will fire immediately. Batteries are about the most expensive around (2CR5).

Overall, I like this camera, though there are quite a few thing's I'd change if possible, as you'll gather from the above. The positives out-weigh the negatives, but some of those negatives take a lot of getting used to and may be deal-breakers for some.

I managed to get hold of the AA battery grip butit took a while as they seem to be very rare. In my large hands the camera is even nicer to hold with the AA grip.

Since originally writing this review I took the SFXn and an M 50mm f/1.7 with me to a music festival in 2017 and I have to say it was perfect. A low-cost combo in case of loss or damage, yet very capable, and focus was spot-on despite being manual. With 1/4000s available I could use ISO 400 film in daylight and also for stage lighting later on. I probably should have also included a cheap kit lens for a wider view but well.

This camera has grown on me and for the functionality it gives for the price it's very hard to beat.


Mad Cool 2017, SFXn, Superia Premium 400 008a
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


Mad Cool 2017, SFXn, Lomography CN 400 071a
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


Mad Cool 2017, SFXn, Lomography CN 400 054a (MSPs)
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


Mad Cool 2017, SFXn, Superia Premium 400 005a (Ryan Adams)
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
   
Forum Member

Registered: November, 2014
Posts: 56

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 6, 2015 Recommended | Price: $25.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: size, ergonomics, sound, af, bracketing
Cons: not as sturdy as we all think, made from plastic

It was my second 35mm SLR. I used it mostly with SMC Pentax-F 35-80 f4-5.6 and was pleased with the results. Actually more than pleased when I realised how old it is. It was a very happy relationship until one day I discovered one of the strap mounts is loose. After removing the plastic upper panel I found out that the part of the chasis to which the strap mount is screwed is broken. Since I couldn't use it with a strap anymore I had to return to my old P30.
I bought it second hand and I think that previous owner had to let it fall on something.


Now I own a dslr but I will never get rid off my lovely SFXn. I still use it if I can.
   
Forum Member

Registered: November, 2014
Posts: 56

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 4, 2014 Recommended | Price: $18.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sturdy, Takes AF and MF lenses, Fast shutter
Cons: Big and Heavy, Batteries costly

This camera is fairly simple to use but has lots of features. It does not have a mode dial, instead relying on 3 switches on top to select functions. You have to think more, look at the top display and then decide what to change to do what you need. With practice it becomes second nature.

It's built like a brick, with a metal lens mount that takes ALL the Pentax AF and MF lenses. It seems like they started with that blocky A3000 shape and added on. Certainly it's bigger than some later cameras, but feels fine in my hand and balances a long lens very well. It does not seem prone to the problems later ZX models have, namely broken plastic motor gears that render the camera beyond economical repair early in life, and crippled lens options (no Km or M42). A big reason to choose Pentax is to use all the legacy lenses we have, Why preclude that? I also appreciate the metal lens mount-- this is not the place to economize. The AF is speedy thanks to the AF assist light. The large viewfinder with diopter correction is quite appreciated by my old eyes.

There are some negatives. It's big (for me an advantage, but some would mind). It's noisy. It uses expensive 2CR5 batteries. A solution to the battery problem is get rechargeables, under $20 for a pair plus charger on that big auction site. I'm very glad it does not use AA batteries. I have so many dead cameras thanks to them leaking. I know, user error, but that's how I received them. People don't think, leave the batteries in for years and there goes the electronics. Another peeve: Switching to manual focus requires two hands because the switch has an interlock button, so it takes time and is a silly annoyance.

All in all I like this beast. I'm a little puzzled about why this is rated low, or lower than the SFX. This SFXn is actually a refinement on the SFX/SF1, with faster shutter speed and lighted dial. The 1/4000 shutter speed is a huge improvement so I can't imagine why this is rated below the SFX. I guess you have to read the ratings in detail and see if you would weigh the pro's and con's the same way. I mean, a failure so it's a 5? Nope, for me it's a 10. Anyway, for what I paid this is a huge bargain.
   
Forum Member

Registered: March, 2007
Location: California
Posts: 67

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: September 22, 2014 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Simple to use, ergonomic (but heavy), AF, and AE
Cons: I don't like read out windows, but this isn't too bad

I've had this camera for a 5-6 years, I also have 5 other Pentax SLRs and this one is really a good all around camera body: set the aperture and shoot or set the lens on A and shoot. The auto focus is fine for me because I'm not used to the multi segmented AFs. It is a little heavy but I have more confidence in it than I do the ZX-5. The ZX-5 is my favorite format for an AF camera, but they are not very robust. So I stick with this one, and my P3ns.

I use the SF1n with M, A, F, FA lenses. What is that over 40 years of lenses?
   
Moderator
Site Supporter

Registered: May, 2012
Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand
Posts: 20,391

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: May 31, 2012 Recommended | Price: $160.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Good, solid camera, nice ergonomics.
Cons: Focussing can be slow.

The SFXn is the upgrade to the SFX. Differences include a back-lit top display and faster shutter speed than the SFX.
The camera is quite robust and trouble free.
A nice touch is the multi-bracketing and the ability, with remote shuuter release, to lock the mirror in the up position thereby making possible very long exposures. (limited only by battery life)
   
Forum Member

Registered: April, 2009
Location: Sterling, VA
Posts: 70

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: June 27, 2011 Recommended | Price: $40.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Solid, packed with useful features
Cons: Clunky feel, no mullti-segment metering

Great camera. Has al the neat amateur and semi-pro features you could ask for. It would be nice though if the camera had multi-segment metering, but the spot and center weighted ones do the job. The auto focus tends to hunt a bit too. Thiis is okay though since it was Pentax's first real auto focus camera. The camera is a bit heaavy, but still fits in the hand well.
   
Senior Member

Registered: April, 2009
Location: Cymru
Posts: 136

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: May 6, 2011 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Trap Focus
Cons: For its age, I cannot personally find anything Negative, it is a good all round camera.

I purchased the Pentax SFXn when it first came out, together with a 50mm f1.4 lens.
I was so pleased with I purchased a second body and are still using both to this day.
One body has colour film, the other Black & White film.
One feature of this camera that is often overlooked is trap focus and in the days of digital, I am not aware of any digital camera that has this feature, Pentax or other manufactures.
Thank you Pentax.
   
Forum Member

Registered: September, 2009
Location: Brussels Area
Posts: 61
Review Date: December 4, 2010 Recommended | Price: $20.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Solid, reliable, K/KA/KAF lens compatible
Cons: Lacks MLU and DOF preview (like many others)

Pros Solid, reliable, K/KA/KAF lens compatible
Cons Lacks MLU and DOF preview (like many others)
Rating 8
Price (U.S. Dollars) 20
Years Owned 1

I can recommend this camera: Yes

Value, Features, Performance & Size
My camera is actually the SFXn. It provides auto-everything when you want to use it as such : DX code for automatic film ASA detection; autofocus, automatic exposure, automatic film advance and rewind...
Considering the purchase price I find it has fantastic value for the money.
It's size and weight don't put it in the most compact and lightweight category, but still it is very easy to handle and carry.

Camera Review
I bought the camera for the lens it came with, but when I received it I immediately wanted to test it without thinking about the lens anymore. It was my first film AF body actually (I have a strong MF SLR background) and I was delighted with the simplicity and ease of use. Also I liked the multiple exposure modes and multiple program modes it features. Actually these modes are useful when I want to concentrate on composition, subject, action... and not that much about the exposure settings. You can still use one of the program modes but choose between the "sport" or "landscape" programs, depending on the kind of subject you happen to shoot at the moment.

I found that the exposure metering and control were still perfect after such a long time (the camera is old but I bought it second hand quite recently). It gives a feeling of solidity and reliability but is still compact enough to be carried almost everywhere without too much hassle. When I finally unmounted the zoom lens that came with it, and tried some other glass, I liked the fact that I could use all my other Pentax glass regardless of the presence of an "A" on the aperture ring. Full metering is possible in aperture priority (and manual) mode, of course not on the program modes in such case.

There was a battery in the camera when I bought it, it had been partially used already so when it died I replaced it without hesitation, so that I could continue to use the camera (remember my initial plan was to keep the lens and resell the camera). I decided to keep it instead, because of its versatility, excellent lens compatibility, and all the auto/manual combinations that it allows.
   
Senior Member

Registered: October, 2008
Location: Horsham, VIC, Australia
Posts: 108

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: October 12, 2010 Recommended | Price: $300.00 | Rating: 5 

 
Pros: Accurate exposures, fast autofocus. Simple controls.
Cons: It died

Pros Accurate exposures, fast autofocus. Simple controls.
Cons It died
Rating 5
Price (U.S. Dollars) $300
Years Owned 14

I can recommend this camera: Yes

Value, Features, Performance & Size
I was unlucky. Turned out to be my worst value camera ever. It was my first autofocus camera and I loved using it. It was my first Pentax with a bulging battery grip for the shutter hand - a great feeling of security. I found the flash strong and the red light that enabled night time autofocus was mightily useful. After its failure I was forced to return to my Spotmatic and I was confident that even if the battery died I would still be able to take acceptable pictures.

Camera Review
Like Gruffnutz I moved from Spotmatic the SFXn to K200D. The Spotmatic is unbreakable (years of semi-pro daily beach use, changing film in all weathers etc) and I reverted back to it when the SFX just died. Simply no life in the screen and no functions. ( I did not use the SFX on the beach) I never had it repaired as it was going to cost $90 just to look inside. At the time I was very disappointed: it was a lot of money (for me) and as I had not had it long I felt ripped off. I had bought it SH. My only sad experience with the brand. It is on my knee as I write - can't throw it. Wot to do with a dead electronic camera? Anybody want it?
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