Transparent Pentax SFX + SMC F 35-70

Asahiflex · 11-01-2010, 02:54 AM

I have asked the seller about the origins of the camera, and it appears that it was a display camera at the taxfree shop of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The seller worked there for 33 years.

Always interesting to know the story behind such a piece of kit.

builttospill · 11-01-2010, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

Thanks!

Maybe you would be interested to see more from my Pentax MF-1 camera? Not a ME or ME-F, but MF-1...

Wait! I am! I am!

Steinback · 11-01-2010, 02:48 PM

I've seen references to the MF-1 as a a specialty scientific camera. Do you know what kind of scientific work it was intended for? A shot through the viewfinder would be interesting if it is significantly different from the finder in a regular ME.

Parallax · 11-02-2010, 03:19 PM

I wonder if they'll do a K5 that way.

Asahiflex · 11-08-2010, 03:29 AM

Originally posted by Parallax

I wonder if they'll do a K5 that way.

Yes!

Paul Ewins · 11-11-2010, 05:01 AM

Here are a couple of photos of my own MF-1 and the AP-K55 adapter which probably connected to some variety of endoscope. In the second shot you can see the spherical bulge that is on the bottom of the focussing screen. Strangely, this doesn't seem to distort if you put a regular lens on the camera. Note too that the lens mount sits forward a little more than the regular one.

I've also got a transparent 35-80, but mine is a little broken (bought it that way) - no transparent bodies alas.

**limestonecowboy** · 09-01-2016, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

Just acquired this beauty. It's a very nice demonstration camera to show off Pentax' technology back in the day.

I had hoped to be able to use the SMC F 35-70 and although it's optically functional it's missing the diaphragm (the lever is fixed in the closed position) and the diaphragm ring is fixed too. Even the diaphragm protection flange is made of transparent plastic.

The camera itself works, but is unusable because of the transparent back. You can actually see the film being wound

Recently got a transparent Yashica Samurai X3.0, only heard of two other transparent samurais on internet, anyone else seen/got one?

Last edited by limestonecowboy; 09-01-2016 at 01:55 PM.

**ChrisPlatt** · 09-01-2016, 05:12 PM

Originally posted by 8540tomg

From the looks of it one would think over exposure might be a problem.

I've heard they're quite prone to light leaks.

Chris

MarkJerling · 09-01-2016, 05:31 PM

Cool! My first Pentax was an SFX!

builttospill · 09-12-2016, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by limestonecowboy

Recently got a transparent Yashica Samurai X3.0, only heard of two other transparent samurais on internet, anyone else seen/got one?

Without pictures, did it really happen?

**limestonecowboy** · 09-13-2016, 01:42 AM

Originally posted by builttospill

Without pictures, did it really happen?

Flickr

builttospill · 09-13-2016, 01:06 PM

Originally posted by limestonecowboy

Flickr

Nice. I like it.

**pentaxus** · 09-14-2016, 01:04 AM

I worked at a camera shop when that came out and we could have purchased one for a lot more than a regular one. I don't remember the exact price, though. And yes, it is usable for film with a normal back installed. Fun!

**limestonecowboy** · 09-14-2016, 05:48 AM

I've just run a film through this one, all ok ;-)

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11-01-2010, 02:54 AM	#16
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795 Original Poster	I have asked the seller about the origins of the camera, and it appears that it was a display camera at the taxfree shop of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The seller worked there for 33 years. Always interesting to know the story behind such a piece of kit.

11-01-2010, 12:17 PM	#17
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	Originally posted by Asahiflex Thanks! Maybe you would be interested to see more from my Pentax MF-1 camera? Not a ME or ME-F, but MF-1... Wait! I am! I am!

11-01-2010, 02:48 PM	#18
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	I've seen references to the MF-1 as a a specialty scientific camera. Do you know what kind of scientific work it was intended for? A shot through the viewfinder would be interesting if it is significantly different from the finder in a regular ME.

11-02-2010, 03:19 PM	#19
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	I wonder if they'll do a K5 that way.

11-08-2010, 03:29 AM	#20
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795 Original Poster	Originally posted by Parallax I wonder if they'll do a K5 that way. Yes!

11-11-2010, 05:01 AM	#21
Paul Ewins Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 274	Here are a couple of photos of my own MF-1 and the AP-K55 adapter which probably connected to some variety of endoscope. In the second shot you can see the spherical bulge that is on the bottom of the focussing screen. Strangely, this doesn't seem to distort if you put a regular lens on the camera. Note too that the lens mount sits forward a little more than the regular one. I've also got a transparent 35-80, but mine is a little broken (bought it that way) - no transparent bodies alas.

09-01-2016, 12:54 PM	#22
limestonecowboy Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Photos: Albums Posts: 151	Originally posted by Asahiflex Just acquired this beauty. It's a very nice demonstration camera to show off Pentax' technology back in the day. I had hoped to be able to use the SMC F 35-70 and although it's optically functional it's missing the diaphragm (the lever is fixed in the closed position) and the diaphragm ring is fixed too. Even the diaphragm protection flange is made of transparent plastic. The camera itself works, but is unusable because of the transparent back. You can actually see the film being wound Recently got a transparent Yashica Samurai X3.0, only heard of two other transparent samurais on internet, anyone else seen/got one? Last edited by limestonecowboy; 09-01-2016 at 01:55 PM.

09-01-2016, 05:12 PM	#23
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,696	Originally posted by 8540tomg From the looks of it one would think over exposure might be a problem. I've heard they're quite prone to light leaks. Chris

09-01-2016, 05:31 PM	#24
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,408	Cool! My first Pentax was an SFX!

09-12-2016, 06:27 PM	#25
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	Originally posted by limestonecowboy Recently got a transparent Yashica Samurai X3.0, only heard of two other transparent samurais on internet, anyone else seen/got one? Without pictures, did it really happen?

09-13-2016, 01:42 AM	#26
limestonecowboy Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Photos: Albums Posts: 151	Originally posted by builttospill Without pictures, did it really happen? Flickr

09-13-2016, 01:06 PM	#27
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	Originally posted by limestonecowboy Flickr Nice. I like it.

09-14-2016, 01:04 AM	#28
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	I worked at a camera shop when that came out and we could have purchased one for a lot more than a regular one. I don't remember the exact price, though. And yes, it is usable for film with a normal back installed. Fun!

09-14-2016, 05:48 AM	#29
limestonecowboy Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Photos: Albums Posts: 151	I've just run a film through this one, all ok ;-)