[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> I have just been looking at an ME F body, and was wondering if
> anyone could enlighten me as to it's merits or lack thereof.
>
> The said body was offered to me for $200CDN(was $250), any
> comments on this price?
>
> Also, what lens series is used with the ME F?
James,
1) ME-F is identical to an ME Super in terms of body dimensions and exposure
mode/shutter operations. It has a special capability to operate with a
singular lens, the 35-70mm f2.8 AF (autofocus) in an autofocus
mode...Pentax's first attempt at such. The autofocus is slow compared to
current cameras and the lens electronics don't match current designs. The
lens holds 4 AAA batteries and is huge and heavy to carry. The camera is
also capable of monitoring and confirming focus with a normal manual focus
lens, better if f2.8 or faster.
The camera and lens were orphans. No further autofocus lenses of this design
were produced for the camera. It operates fine as an ME Super with 'focus
confirmation', but has a tendency to eat batteries. It takes 4 MS76 cells
and is probably more difficult to repair/maintain should it break.
2) As to price, think about paying what you would for an ME Super...US$100
to US$150.
3) The camera works with any K-Mount lens. When it was introduced, Pentax
was selling the K and M series lenses. It introduced the special 35-70mm
f2.8 AF especially for the camera.
The camera is neat as a historical footnote. Pentax tried making an
autofocus camera/lens but quickly abandoned the effort. It came back with a
completely different system years later in the SF-1. The camera and lens are
good quality and can often be found cheaply. But they are just plain too
heavy to carry as a system.
I would buy an ME-F as a novelty or a cheaper alternative to a ME Super.
Regards, Bob S.
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