My new (old) ME F

fwcetus · 03-25-2009, 09:45 PM

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Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

I recently acquired a nice ME-F from a forum member.
What sort of battery life can I expect from this thing? Chris

My experience has been that the ~four~ (!!!) button cells in the MEF do not last quite as long as the two button cells in the ME Super, even if you don't use af (with the AF 35-70/2.8 lens) or focus confirmation (with any other lens). (The AF 35-70/2.8 itself doesn't use those button cells for the actual af motor power, of course, since it has internal AAA batteries.)

Do be careful of damaging the battery door on that MEF - that's a known weak spot (as you may know).

**ChrisPlatt** · 05-25-2009, 10:21 AM

After using it a few times I find it a pleasant enough camera.
I would like it a lot better if it had DOF preview and AE memory lock.

I really don't care for any of the Pentax AF 35mm SLRs. Although primitive,
the ME-F's focus confirmation may one day prove helpful to these aging eyes.

Chris

jgredline · 05-25-2009, 10:44 AM

extremely cool and the first I have heard of this model.

OregonJim · 05-26-2009, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

I found the SMC Pentax AF 35-70 zoom lens for sale for $100.
This is the lens designed for use with the ME-F.

I recently picked up an ME-F, *with* the 35-70/2.8 AF zoom, AF160 flash, and a Tamron 70-210 with Adaptall2 P/KA adapter... all for $79!

PENTAX 35 mm MEF CAMERA W/AUTOFOCUS & TAMRON LENS - eBay (item 280342416260 end time May-12-09 19:41:15 PDT)

I figured it was worth the price just for the P/KA adapter. But the camera and lenses were in mint condition as well - even the light seals & mirror foam are still in great shape. I'm about halfway through my first test roll...

Last edited by OregonJim; 05-26-2009 at 12:56 AM.

titrisol · 05-26-2009, 12:50 AM

Congrats OregonJim, that is a great buy

I miss those bargains... hard to find in Europe

**lawsonstone** · 05-26-2009, 09:36 AM

I"ve got a nice MEF (not the lens though) that I enjoy playing with. The focus confirmation is a fascinating piece of camera history that i do enjoy taking out and experimenting with. I can see why the camera did not sell but I also appreciate it. I might sell mine one day, but it's fun to show to myk students who only know auto-everything p&s cameras. When they hold it, or the ME Super, or Super Program, or one of my K's, they get this interesting look, like they know they are touching a different world…

03-25-2009, 09:45 PM	#16
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by ChrisPlatt I recently acquired a nice ME-F from a forum member. What sort of battery life can I expect from this thing? Chris My experience has been that the ~four~ (!!!) button cells in the MEF do not last quite as long as the two button cells in the ME Super, even if you don't use af (with the AF 35-70/2.8 lens) or focus confirmation (with any other lens). (The AF 35-70/2.8 itself doesn't use those button cells for the actual af motor power, of course, since it has internal AAA batteries.) Do be careful of damaging the battery door on that MEF - that's a known weak spot (as you may know).

05-25-2009, 10:21 AM	#17
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	After using it a few times I find it a pleasant enough camera. I would like it a lot better if it had DOF preview and AE memory lock. I really don't care for any of the Pentax AF 35mm SLRs. Although primitive, the ME-F's focus confirmation may one day prove helpful to these aging eyes. Chris

05-25-2009, 10:44 AM	#18
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	extremely cool and the first I have heard of this model.

05-26-2009, 12:45 AM	#19
OregonJim Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 1,327	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt I found the SMC Pentax AF 35-70 zoom lens for sale for $100. This is the lens designed for use with the ME-F. I recently picked up an ME-F, with the 35-70/2.8 AF zoom, AF160 flash, and a Tamron 70-210 with Adaptall2 P/KA adapter... all for $79! PENTAX 35 mm MEF CAMERA W/AUTOFOCUS & TAMRON LENS - eBay (item 280342416260 end time May-12-09 19:41:15 PDT) I figured it was worth the price just for the P/KA adapter. But the camera and lenses were in mint condition as well - even the light seals & mirror foam are still in great shape. I'm about halfway through my first test roll... Last edited by OregonJim; 05-26-2009 at 12:56 AM.

05-26-2009, 12:50 AM	#20
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,852	Congrats OregonJim, that is a great buy I miss those bargains... hard to find in Europe

05-26-2009, 09:36 AM	#21
lawsonstone Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wilmore, KY Posts: 376	I"ve got a nice MEF (not the lens though) that I enjoy playing with. The focus confirmation is a fascinating piece of camera history that i do enjoy taking out and experimenting with. I can see why the camera did not sell but I also appreciate it. I might sell mine one day, but it's fun to show to myk students who only know auto-everything p&s cameras. When they hold it, or the ME Super, or Super Program, or one of my K's, they get this interesting look, like they know they are touching a different world…