[Roughcollie]

I am thinking about buying a Pentax SFX AF camera,has anybody had any experience with one?

[jatrax]

The database section of this website contains information on cameras and lens both.

See: Pentax SFX/SF1 - Pentax Autofocus Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

[esrandall]

I just bought an SF1 from one of our members, and am having a lot of fun with it. They have a pretty good reputation, and shouldn't cost you too much, so worth a go.

[UMC]

If you have the choice, you'd better chose a SFXn (US: SF1n). It is basically the same camera with few but important improvements.

In any case, back in '87 the SFX was the Pentax' first AF-system SLR. And typically Pentax, it had a novelty built in: It was the world´s first SLR with a built in flashlight.

The fact that it had the flashlight made it look quite weird/ugly at that time. The greyish look isn't everybody´s taste either. On the positive side we can note that the accompanying F-lenses were well built and many of them are in better mechanical shape than their FA successors from the 1990ies.

My father purchased the SFX shortly after it came out. Then it was latest fashion to have AF. However, I took it into my hand, took some photos and immediately decided to stay with my Super A (US: Super Program). The grey design, the plastic exterior, the noise, the slow 1st generation AF, the dark viewfinder - all that was not convincing for me.

Time and again I did some shots with this camera - but it never could fascinate me like the older Super A or the later Z-1p (US: PZ-1p). Probably that´s not fair, but it is somewhat natural for a model that is first of its kind.

[jddwoods]

I had an SF-10 purchased in 1989 with F28mm 2.8 lens. The camera served me well for about 20 years until I went digital. One weakness of the old SF-1 and SF-10 were the latches that hold the film compartment rear door closed. They are plastic and break very easily. I did get a used data back from KEH and that kept the camera going a few more years but when it broke, I gave up and got rid of the body and kept the F 28 mm 2.8 lens which is still in use on my K-5 and K-3 bodies.

[Mwellman]

I love my SF1. So now have two of them. It is just the right size for my hand to grip. Usually stuff is too small or lots too big. I have one winterized with the battery pack that you keep in your coat and run the cord out your sleeve. Used that to take aurora photos in Yukon. Pictures are great too. The cameras hardly get used now that I have digital. Sad because I really do like them.

[johnha]

I used an SFXn for years, they're basic AF bodies by late '90s standards but they're well built and sturdy cameras, I used mine in all kinds of weather. The AA battery grip is useful (a bit deeper than the lithium grip) but NiCds are not recommended. A full set of exposure modes mean it will work with FA-J & DA lenses in one of the Program modes (standard, action, depth) or Shutter Priority. It doesn't have a crippled mount so K & M lenses also meter open-aperture without problems. They also have the focusing aid <o> LEDs indicating which way to focus a Pentax lens. The AF spotbeam pattern will focus where there's no contrast in total darkness. The SFXn includes faster shutter & X sync, illuminated LCD panel and autobracketing.

Personally I like the styling/colour and the handling and recently bought another, apart from my Z-1 & MEF it's the only Pentax AF film SLR I's be interested in.

John.