Frantisek wrote:
> I would welcome any opinions on the body etc...!
I own an SFX bought new in 1988, mainly because I wanted the F*300 f4.5. So
all comments are derived from that, but the differences with the SFXn are
rather small AFAIK.
I think it's a very good camera with built in motor drive for manual lenses,
but not a great autofocus camera, though quite acceptable for easy to focus
lenses like that 50 f1.4.
However what is causing mixed feelings is that it's too big and noisy for my
style of people snapshots. Saying that the kids are running away screaming
is too much, but the reaction to the camera, even from adults, isn't the
sort I like.
It's good though in the situations you want, or are expected to be, THE
photographer. But I'm an amateur, so those occasions are rare for me.
It's also too noisy for wildlife photography up close.
Anyhow, I bought a secondhand ME shortly afterwards, and last year I also
bought an MZ5n for AF wildlife.
But the SFX is still my favourite for "serious" work, such as chasing bugs
:-), thanks to it's better handling.
My SFX was a pretty expensive camera back then, 15% more expensive then a
Nikon F-501, 20% then a SuperA.
But, my SFX still works great, while my brothers F501 recently passed away,
so at least for me, it was worth the investment.
> It's only center-weighed metering, ain't it?
A: Yes
> What's the information in viewfinder? Apart from shutter-speed (on
the
> right), is there any more info?
>Flash confirm
A: Flash symbol LED for external flash, built in flash has seperate LED
right next to the view finder
>, aperture
A: no, real shame
>, exp.compens. ?
A: +/-EF LED
Further LED's for A (auto), M(anual) and P(rogram), all in that same
column on the right
side
> Can I set exposure compensation for the flash only, as with PZ-1p?
Or can
> it be "fooled" by exposure compensation with manual exp. mode selected as
> on MZ5n ? Or neither of it? Flash compensation is a lot to me.
A: Similar like MZ5n, but worse because the manual metering is switched off
when you pop up the built in flash, so you have to set your manual exposure
before that.
> The AF's pretty basic, but does it have focus confiramtion with
manual
>lenses? I have a lot of manual focus lenses
A: Yes, three big LED's on the bottom of the screen showing too far, on
target, to close. Works great, really miss it on the MZ5n.
> Does it have the snap-in-focus feature (or whaddyacallit) - shutter
>releases when the body senses in-focus with manual lens - like on PZ-1p
>(the "wildlife coming into range" feature)
A: Yes, but don't expect miracles of it, always fails when the once in a
lifetime shot occurs :-).
> Anything else interesting about it?
- Glass viewfinder, doesn't scratch when a thumbo like me has to wipe
fingerprints every second hour or so.
- Excellent viewfinder magnification for an AF camera, a bit dark and grainy
for zooms (SFXn said to be better) but decent sharpness and contrast with
primes, not too much flare, much better overall then MZ5n.
Check for fog in the viewfinder, mine has a little in one corner, doesn't
really bother me yet, but increases the flaring.
- AA grip available (though rare)
- interchangeable screens (but only 3 types and not many on the market I
fear)
- First digital flash body, 2nd curtain flash sync with suitable flash, auto
zoom flash with F and FA lenses. The body also works with older analog TTL
flashes.
- Very fast shutter response, not 100% sure about the dampening. No problems
with normal lenses, but I think the MZ5n is better with teles (Could also be
my new tripod is better, should test in identical circumstances to be sure).
- 3 program modes, can double up as P&S
But:
- NO DOF preview (unless you unlock the lens),
- NO Mirror lock up.
- Diopter correction only to -1.5
- Built in flash coverage only 35mm, refuses to fire with F/FA
wide-angles/zooms beyond 35mm. GN14 is not bad though
>I found out to my dismay that I can't see the selected f/stop in the
>finder, only on the outside display. Is that normal?
A: Yes, but the quite informative outside display is nice when used on
tripod (MZ5n doesn' have it)
> It really is different form the K2DMD... at least the body is also heavy
> alloy under that plastic (by the weight of it I think).
The interiour finish is all metal and beauitifull.
Some details are in my opinion even excessively well designed for a consumer
product. The X in it's name is no coincidence, but I doubt they made much
money on it using this sort of designs. (I'm a machine designer myself FWIW)
It could have been aimed more up market at the time but the quality is not
consistent enough for that, f.i. the exteriour plastic is not rigid enough.
It squeaks when you push on the right places. I understand that Pentax lost
a lot of money in that period, but selling a camera that squeaks more
expensively then a similar Nikon that doesn't squeak was asking for it.
Hidden qualities don't help here.
> I still don't know if I like the body's ergonomics...
The general ergonomics are great for me. Great balance, also with bigger
lenses.
The grip is great. It feels so secure in my hands, that I hardly ever use
the neck strap and just keep it swinging in my right hand when walking
around to find the right subject or angle. Never dropped it. No grip strap
needed as with Pz1-p.
The index finger drops right over the shutter button. The ML button is
nicely placed on the thumb-rest.
Liking the slide buttons is another matter. You need both hands to change
most settings, so you can't do much while looking through the viewfinder,
except adjusting the shutter speeds in manual.
So all in all it's a camera which I learned to appreciate over the years,
despite some flaws, noise being the most important to me.
Hope this helped,
Erwin
-
This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe,
go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to
visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org.
