Pentax SF1n Reviews

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:I bought this camera for family events and my children from an auction, half the price on ebay. It's exactly I needed after my son broke my rangefinder. It gives you basic program modes with auto aperture lens (if you are lazy) and most important, one can make his own manual composition very easy. Viewfinder has a green led to confirm focus and two red arrows for guidance; on the right side you'll see the selected mode, speed and aperture. Shutter speed is 1/4000 at max., more than enough for me. Body is solid and reliable. I mostly use old russian lens M42 mount so I can't tell much about autofocus. Not used similar srl's but in low light you have to be pacient to focus. Anyway, its an auto/manual camera suitable for most uses.
People that come from classic camera like me may be confused with camera's menu but I found very easy to learn and work with.

Strengths:dSLr like, feels reliable in your hand, speed, easy manual settings

Weaknesses:not so easy to focus in dim light.

Similar Products Used:Zenit 122K

Customer Service:not needed

701tomato

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.80 of 5,
5 votes

Price Paid:  $47.00 from eBay

Summary:I bought this camera primarily because it has an excellent reputation as a solid performer, and because it has a very bright, clear, autofocus green light in the center of the viewfinder to confirm the focus, using amnual focus K mount lenses. I have a number of classic K mount SMC M and SMC A primes and the ultra fine SMC A 35-105 zoom. As I am getting older, focusing becomes more difficult. I find this green LED focus confirmation light to be very useful.

I have a large collection of Nikon autofocus cameras F90X, N8008s, F70, N75, which all have a focus confirmation indicator in the viewfinder, but it is small and hard to see, as it is off to the side.

My SF1n is getting a lot of use now, and it will continue to be my choice when shotting manual focus landscapes, etc.

Strengths:Rugged build, large LED top display on top of pentaprism. Good clear, bright viewfinder LEDs. Accepts an K mount menual focus lenses, and has focus confirmation BRIGHT GREEN LED in center of viewfinder. Will shoot in Program mode with K A lenses.

Weaknesses:Requires some getting used to the manual speed settings with the up/down sliding buttons, but once you get the knack of it, it is easy. Limited program modes, but then, who is using program modes for serious photography anyway ? Requires electronic cable release ( got one on eBay, but they are rare. )

Similar Products Used:Nikon F70, Nikon n8008s

Customer Service:N/A/ but able to download manual from Pentax web site. Thank you Pentax for this service.