ME F -- advert from the past

CypherOz · 01-11-2014, 03:13 PM

Pentax MEF - the first SLR with Auto Focus | Teckler

Those were the days!

Adam · 01-11-2014, 03:17 PM - **1 Like**

I like the last sentence of the article. I wish/hope Pentax could/will lead the way in the future of DSLRs...

CypherOz · 01-11-2014, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by Adam

I like the last sentence of the article. I wish/hope Pentax could/will lead the way in the future of DSLRs...

The K-3 switchable AA filter was a significant innovation

johnha · 01-11-2014, 04:26 PM

Like the camera shot on it's own focusing screen in the ad. I managed to get hold of a working body & lens setup last year after a couple of attempts. Something very strange about a 'proper' camera driving the spilt-image to a perfect alignment. Having used an SFXn I still miss the left/right arrows in the current DSLRs.

fuent104 · 01-11-2014, 04:29 PM

I would like to see them do something with lenses that would really make people want to use the system. Like a 100mm f2 or a focal reducing adapter for medium format lenses. Something I can't imagine.

fuent104 · 01-11-2014, 04:32 PM

I meant a 100 f1.4.

fuent104 · 01-11-2014, 04:33 PM

And I don't care if a 100f1.4 would be large. It would be a 100 f1.4.

Lloydy · 01-11-2014, 05:10 PM

Does the ME-F focus confirm with manual lenses ? I've got the Olympus OM 30 or OM-F in North America, that was a similar concept, which does have focus confirmation that is surprisingly accurate with a MF lens. I haven't got the 35-70 lens which was the only lens for the camera, but by all accounts the system was not very good.
I've also got the Chinon CE-5 which had a range of AF lenses, which again I haven't got, but that doesn't confirm focus.
The Pentax ME-F would be nice to have if it has focus confirmation, which is what the "audio visual guidance" stated in the advert seems to suggest.

johnha · 01-11-2014, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by Lloydy

Does the ME-F focus confirm with manual lenses ? I've got the Olympus OM 30 or OM-F in North America, that was a similar concept, which does have focus confirmation that is surprisingly accurate with a MF lens. I haven't got the 35-70 lens which was the only lens for the camera, but by all accounts the system was not very good.
I've also got the Chinon CE-5 which had a range of AF lenses, which again I haven't got, but that doesn't confirm focus.
The Pentax ME-F would be nice to have if it has focus confirmation, which is what the "audio visual guidance" stated in the advert seems to suggest.

Yes, the ME-F has focus confirmation with MF lenses up to a certain max. aperture (the limit is 'up to f/5.6' but might not include f/5.6?). Either from the split-image focus aid or the green hexagon under the focus screen. It will also display the left/right arrows to tell you which way to turn the focusing ring (Pentax lenses - some independent ones focus the 'wrong' way). There's also an optional beep to confirm focus.

titrisol · 01-11-2014, 06:48 PM

I love this camera, is a Super MESuper
I got it because of th elens attached to it (M50/1.4) a while ago, it came with the data back and I used it in my normal rotation.
My uncle used to have one and I rememeber the weird lens and how awesome it was....

While the MESuper has developed some problems this one keeps chugging along...my only gripe with it is the awkward battery door, but other than that is great.

Yes it does confirm focus on most lenses, it works great and it has a button to switch between luminous (<2.8) and not-so-loumious lenses (>3.5) , I have used it sucessfully with a Spiratone 400/6.3, and provides focus confirmation either visually or with a beep

ME-F (top) vs ME-Super (bottom)

**ChrisPlatt** · 01-12-2014, 06:40 AM

Indeed, the ME-F focus confirmation works surprisingly well with manual focus lenses.

Chris

Lloydy · 01-12-2014, 08:29 AM

I shall be looking for one of these then. Thanks for the focus confirmation conformation.

SteveM · 01-12-2014, 10:11 AM

I was lucky enough to pick up a couple from a fellow that bought them to use professionally back in the day. I sold one to a fellow forum member and kept the one that had not been used. I also have a black version but have yet to take pics of it. It works well, but of course is slow and noisy. The lens takes batteries and contains the motor (No screw drive). It's ironic that the technology moved towards screwdrive, to now see it come back to SDM etc today....

**gofour3** · 01-12-2014, 10:21 AM

Interesting camera and lens, thanks for posting the ad.

I always found it strange that the AF35-70 lens has a fixed maximum aperture of f2.8 and the standard “M” zoom has a variable aperture of f2.8-3.5. There was a “K” series prototype of this zoom that did have the fixed f2.8 maximum aperture, but it never went into production. All three 35-70 zoom lenses had the same optics.

Unfortunately Auto-Focusing is one of my pet peeves, so I’ll never own an AF camera.

Phil.

**ChrisPlatt** · 01-12-2014, 10:56 AM

I have never owned the Pentax AF 35-70 f/2.8 zoom, but I do wish Pentax had marketed a manual focus version.

I suppose it's a whole 'nother discussion but I do own this oddity:

http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_686.html

It's a self-contained AF lens that works on any K mount camera.

Chris

01-11-2014, 03:13 PM	#1
CypherOz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 246	ME F -- advert from the past Pentax MEF - the first SLR with Auto Focus \| Teckler Those were the days!

01-11-2014, 03:17 PM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	I like the last sentence of the article. I wish/hope Pentax could/will lead the way in the future of DSLRs... Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

01-11-2014, 06:48 PM	#10
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,852	I love this camera, is a Super MESuper I got it because of th elens attached to it (M50/1.4) a while ago, it came with the data back and I used it in my normal rotation. My uncle used to have one and I rememeber the weird lens and how awesome it was.... While the MESuper has developed some problems this one keeps chugging along...my only gripe with it is the awkward battery door, but other than that is great. Yes it does confirm focus on most lenses, it works great and it has a button to switch between luminous (<2.8) and not-so-loumious lenses (>3.5) , I have used it sucessfully with a Spiratone 400/6.3, and provides focus confirmation either visually or with a beep ME-F (top) vs ME-Super (bottom) Last edited by titrisol; 01-11-2014 at 06:59 PM.

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01-11-2014, 03:22 PM	#3
CypherOz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 246 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam I like the last sentence of the article. I wish/hope Pentax could/will lead the way in the future of DSLRs... The K-3 switchable AA filter was a significant innovation

01-11-2014, 04:26 PM	#4
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	Like the camera shot on it's own focusing screen in the ad. I managed to get hold of a working body & lens setup last year after a couple of attempts. Something very strange about a 'proper' camera driving the spilt-image to a perfect alignment. Having used an SFXn I still miss the left/right arrows in the current DSLRs.

01-11-2014, 04:29 PM	#5
fuent104 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,356	I would like to see them do something with lenses that would really make people want to use the system. Like a 100mm f2 or a focal reducing adapter for medium format lenses. Something I can't imagine.

01-11-2014, 04:32 PM	#6
fuent104 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,356	I meant a 100 f1.4.

01-11-2014, 04:33 PM	#7
fuent104 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,356	And I don't care if a 100f1.4 would be large. It would be a 100 f1.4.

01-11-2014, 05:10 PM	#8
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	Does the ME-F focus confirm with manual lenses ? I've got the Olympus OM 30 or OM-F in North America, that was a similar concept, which does have focus confirmation that is surprisingly accurate with a MF lens. I haven't got the 35-70 lens which was the only lens for the camera, but by all accounts the system was not very good. I've also got the Chinon CE-5 which had a range of AF lenses, which again I haven't got, but that doesn't confirm focus. The Pentax ME-F would be nice to have if it has focus confirmation, which is what the "audio visual guidance" stated in the advert seems to suggest.

01-11-2014, 05:42 PM	#9
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	Originally posted by Lloydy Does the ME-F focus confirm with manual lenses ? I've got the Olympus OM 30 or OM-F in North America, that was a similar concept, which does have focus confirmation that is surprisingly accurate with a MF lens. I haven't got the 35-70 lens which was the only lens for the camera, but by all accounts the system was not very good. I've also got the Chinon CE-5 which had a range of AF lenses, which again I haven't got, but that doesn't confirm focus. The Pentax ME-F would be nice to have if it has focus confirmation, which is what the "audio visual guidance" stated in the advert seems to suggest. Yes, the ME-F has focus confirmation with MF lenses up to a certain max. aperture (the limit is 'up to f/5.6' but might not include f/5.6?). Either from the split-image focus aid or the green hexagon under the focus screen. It will also display the left/right arrows to tell you which way to turn the focusing ring (Pentax lenses - some independent ones focus the 'wrong' way). There's also an optional beep to confirm focus.

01-12-2014, 06:40 AM	#11
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	Indeed, the ME-F focus confirmation works surprisingly well with manual focus lenses. Chris

01-12-2014, 08:29 AM	#12
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	I shall be looking for one of these then. Thanks for the focus confirmation conformation.

01-12-2014, 10:11 AM	#13
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	I was lucky enough to pick up a couple from a fellow that bought them to use professionally back in the day. I sold one to a fellow forum member and kept the one that had not been used. I also have a black version but have yet to take pics of it. It works well, but of course is slow and noisy. The lens takes batteries and contains the motor (No screw drive). It's ironic that the technology moved towards screwdrive, to now see it come back to SDM etc today....

01-12-2014, 10:21 AM	#14
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Interesting camera and lens, thanks for posting the ad. I always found it strange that the AF35-70 lens has a fixed maximum aperture of f2.8 and the standard “M” zoom has a variable aperture of f2.8-3.5. There was a “K” series prototype of this zoom that did have the fixed f2.8 maximum aperture, but it never went into production. All three 35-70 zoom lenses had the same optics. Unfortunately Auto-Focusing is one of my pet peeves, so I’ll never own an AF camera. Phil.

01-12-2014, 10:56 AM	#15
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	I have never owned the Pentax AF 35-70 f/2.8 zoom, but I do wish Pentax had marketed a manual focus version. I suppose it's a whole 'nother discussion but I do own this oddity: http://allphotolenses.com/lenses/item/c_686.html It's a self-contained AF lens that works on any K mount camera. Chris