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Docrwm · 11-09-2010, 08:25 PM

Ran across this autofocus lens and can't find anything in the database about it. I think its one of the first Pentax AF lenses but am not sure. Just curious about it since it appears not to be in the database. Thanks.

Super A-wesome · 11-09-2010, 08:46 PM

It's in the database all right, under "Non SMC and other Pentax Zooms" This is a special purpouse lens, made to be paired with the ME F, which is the only camera it will autofocus with, and vice versa. it's an interesting collectr's item, but the AF is slow and inaccurate and the MF is cumbersome with the tiny MF ring.

DanielT74 · 11-09-2010, 09:00 PM

I will second what Super-A said. Still the image quality of very very good if you manage to focus correctly. If you can have it cheap, it is worth playing with, I think.

Docrwm · 11-09-2010, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by Super A-wesome

It's in the database all right, under "Non SMC and other Pentax Zooms" This is a special purpouse lens, made to be paired with the ME F, which is the only camera it will autofocus with, and vice versa. it's an interesting collectr's item, but the AF is slow and inaccurate and the MF is cumbersome with the tiny MF ring.

Thanks, just plain did not occur to me to look in the Non SMC as it says its an SMC lens

Just caught my eye and seemed odd to me. If it really only works on one body then why would someone buy it these days?

Blue · 11-09-2010, 09:32 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Thanks, just plain did not occur to me to look in the Non SMC as it says its an SMC lens

Just caught my eye and seemed odd to me. If it really only works on one body then why would someone buy it these days?

It is ironic for a SMC lens to be in the non-SMC section.

That said, the optics on this lens is actually quite good and relatively fast for a zoom. It is something of a pita to manual focus. It only works in af on a working ME F body which is essentially an ME Super with a unique AF system that makes this lens not compatible with later af bodies.

JeffJS · 11-09-2010, 09:50 PM

It almost seems from the photo that there has to be a way to strip that AF motor off of there and rig the belt (if that's what it is) as a grip for a normal MF lens. No? Yes?

DanielT74 · 11-09-2010, 09:57 PM

Converting a leica lens already taxes my technical abilities to the max. I am afraid I cannot help you, Jeff!

troyz · 11-09-2010, 11:48 PM

Originally posted by JeffJS

It almost seems from the photo that there has to be a way to strip that AF motor off of there and rig the belt (if that's what it is) as a grip for a normal MF lens. No? Yes?

It's been done but is considered ugly and blasphemous.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/43371-unique-s...-70-2-8-a.html (Pictures gone but text contains enough gory details)

JeffJS · 11-10-2010, 12:50 AM

No, I'm not interested in ever doing it (not speaking for the OP however) or owning the lens.. I just thought from the look of the photo it wouldn't be impossible.

Docrwm · 11-10-2010, 05:55 AM

I've now read some threads found through Google that make it clear that the optics are really good in this lens and the f is constant because of the odd camera arrangement. Essentially the first AF slr for Pentax from what I can tell. The manual focus is a Pita as has been pointed out because it rotates so very little for the entire range and is small.

Thanks for the information on a rather odd duck of a lens.

11-09-2010, 08:25 PM	#1
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	? about odd 35-70 f2.8 AF from Pentax Ran across this autofocus lens and can't find anything in the database about it. I think its one of the first Pentax AF lenses but am not sure. Just curious about it since it appears not to be in the database. Thanks.

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11-09-2010, 08:46 PM	#2
Super A-wesome Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 94	It's in the database all right, under "Non SMC and other Pentax Zooms" This is a special purpouse lens, made to be paired with the ME F, which is the only camera it will autofocus with, and vice versa. it's an interesting collectr's item, but the AF is slow and inaccurate and the MF is cumbersome with the tiny MF ring.

11-09-2010, 09:00 PM	#3
DanielT74 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,377	I will second what Super-A said. Still the image quality of very very good if you manage to focus correctly. If you can have it cheap, it is worth playing with, I think.

11-09-2010, 09:28 PM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285 Original Poster	Originally posted by Super A-wesome It's in the database all right, under "Non SMC and other Pentax Zooms" This is a special purpouse lens, made to be paired with the ME F, which is the only camera it will autofocus with, and vice versa. it's an interesting collectr's item, but the AF is slow and inaccurate and the MF is cumbersome with the tiny MF ring. Thanks, just plain did not occur to me to look in the Non SMC as it says its an SMC lens Just caught my eye and seemed odd to me. If it really only works on one body then why would someone buy it these days?

11-09-2010, 09:32 PM	#5
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Docrwm Thanks, just plain did not occur to me to look in the Non SMC as it says its an SMC lens Just caught my eye and seemed odd to me. If it really only works on one body then why would someone buy it these days? It is ironic for a SMC lens to be in the non-SMC section. That said, the optics on this lens is actually quite good and relatively fast for a zoom. It is something of a pita to manual focus. It only works in af on a working ME F body which is essentially an ME Super with a unique AF system that makes this lens not compatible with later af bodies.

11-09-2010, 09:50 PM	#6
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	It almost seems from the photo that there has to be a way to strip that AF motor off of there and rig the belt (if that's what it is) as a grip for a normal MF lens. No? Yes?

11-09-2010, 09:57 PM	#7
DanielT74 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,377	Converting a leica lens already taxes my technical abilities to the max. I am afraid I cannot help you, Jeff!

11-09-2010, 11:48 PM	#8
troyz Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 389	Originally posted by JeffJS It almost seems from the photo that there has to be a way to strip that AF motor off of there and rig the belt (if that's what it is) as a grip for a normal MF lens. No? Yes? It's been done but is considered ugly and blasphemous. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/43371-unique-s...-70-2-8-a.html (Pictures gone but text contains enough gory details)

11-10-2010, 12:50 AM	#9
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	No, I'm not interested in ever doing it (not speaking for the OP however) or owning the lens.. I just thought from the look of the photo it wouldn't be impossible.

11-10-2010, 05:55 AM	#10
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285 Original Poster	I've now read some threads found through Google that make it clear that the optics are really good in this lens and the f is constant because of the odd camera arrangement. Essentially the first AF slr for Pentax from what I can tell. The manual focus is a Pita as has been pointed out because it rotates so very little for the entire range and is small. Thanks for the information on a rather odd duck of a lens.

? about odd 35-70 f2.8 AF from Pentax

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