Product ReviewsPentax SF1n 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only

One of the Best

Over the years I have been fortunate to be able to use a number of different types and brands of 35mm cameras including Canon, Olympus, Minolta and Pentax. Over the years all of them have gone away except for the Pentax cameras. I currently use three Pentax cameras on a regular basis, a KX (totally manual), a K200D (totally digital) and the SF1n. I really like them all but the SF1n is really something special. First, it is built like a tank and mine has worked perfectly for me since I bought it in 1989. It is an autofocus camera and was bought specifically for taking pictures of my kids. It has now become my primary grandkid chasing 35mm camera because it locks on and gets the shot with absolutely no fuss and the pictures I get back are first rate! Although it is a little heavier then some of the digital single lens reflex cameras currently on the market it balances very well, especially with slightly heavier zoom lenses. Because of this balance I can often take my time and get blur-free shots with this camera that I struggle to get with other cameras. It is also really simple to use. The controls are simple-to-use switches and the exposure setting information is displayed in the viewfinder as well as a display screen on top of the camera. It has Program mode with several programs, aperture priority mode and shutter priority mode. Finally, I have several manual focus lenses which give extremely sharp pictures. Even though this is an autofocus camera, it is a snap to use those manual focus lenses with this camera. This camera beeps at you and shows a green square in the viewfinder when the focus is correct. And the viewfinder is clear as a bell so it is much easier to see that you are properly focused with this camera then it is with my much newer digital slr. Since manual focus lenses are almost always less expensive then their autofocus brothers this is a great feature. It should also be noted that just matching lenses to a Pentax camera is simplicity itself. With the exception of a few of the most recent lenses built for the new digital cameras almost every lens that Pentax has built since 1975 (and there are hundreds) will fit and work on this camera. Overall, this is a very good camera and, if you are at all interested in shooting film along with digital, this camera is a great alternative that can frequently be found at a very reasonable price on Ebay. Remember, this camera has taken thousands of pictures for me over 30 years of use and it still gets called on to do the same today. Quality products are hard to find today, but they are still out there if you really know what you are looking for.Read full review...

Pentax SF1n Film Camera

I bought the camera for my daughter who is a photo journalist student.Most of the pictures are digital but when she needed a 35 mm film camera, they don't make or sell them anymore and the ones she borrowed from the college were never the same camera twice, which makes it impossable to be familiar with the operation.Is easy to load and she became familiar with the operation of the camera in only 3 rolls of film.I purchased it on EBAY because I have had very good luck with my purchases.And if I have a question I have no fear of asking.Read full review...

one of the best

This was the 3rd pentax auto focus to come out. I had a SF1, that was the first. Then the smaller SF10 came out. The SF1n has a faster shutter speed than the SF1. I had the SF1 for 25 years and I broke it by tring to remove the film when it was out of the cartridge. I picked up a used SF1n on ebay and I like it better for the high speed. I have a *istDL, k100d supper, k20d, k10d, zx70, and lots of lens. The SF1n takes the best shots and the auto focus is much better than the digital models. I will always own one of the SF1n cams as long as i have pentax lens. I will be Selling one on ebay. I have two SF1n cams.Read full review...

Arrived in a very secure package. Inserted a new battery and 35mm print film and it fired right up and I shot my first picture!

Arrived in a very secure package. Inserted a new battery and 35mm print film and it fired right up and I shot my first picture!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: salvationarmy

Pentax SF1n

Although this is a first generation auto focus camera, it works quite well and is just as good as
early ones from Nikon, Canon, and Minolta. Like Nikon, Pentax did it right and manual focus
Pentax lens may be used on this camera in manual focus mode.Read full review...

Good deal

Good camera

Verified purchase:  Yes | Sold by: rokas_photo_video

Pentax SF-1n CAmera

The camera is built like a tank and performs very well. The auto focus works faster than I thought, and the controls that select the different modes are well placed. The camera has all the basic and advanced functions I want, and despite its size, handles quite easily.Read full review...

Incorrect item.

Did not receive a SF1N, it is a SF1.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Sold by: sell-select-items

Great camera

I'm an old school photographer. I love cameras that just seem to work with you and not for you. That's why I purchased an older model. It just feels right in my hands.

Pentax SF1n Film Camera - Excellent for the Price

Bought this camera for my son who is doing a photography course which only allows bacck-white photography with a film SLR camera. This product has exceeded my son's expectations and works better than the loaners from the school. There was a minor scratch on the viewer mirror , but nothing which compromised the photo quality. Excellent camera.Read full review...