ME-F Electronic focus indicator problem

Hi All,

I've just picked up an ME-F which appears to have a fault with the electronic focus indicator. When turning the AF on (or activating the meter from a half press of the shutter relase), I get the 'in focus' indicator flashing green. This is immediatelty replaced with a continuous right pointing arrow which is still displayed when the lens hits infinity (M 50/1.7)

I'm guessing the answer is that it's not repairable (which other AF system is likely to work after 30+ years), but any suggestions would be gratefully received.

John.

Hi mate

My MEF stopped working years ago, but here's what I would before deciding if its knackered.

For your 1.7 lens make sure the switch is set to 2.8

Take out the batteries for a while just to reset the electronics and try again.

Put new batteries in and if that don't work I would think you have a knackered chip.

Best of luck

Jeff

Given that even if the focus indicator is faulty you are still able to focus manually and that you have effectively turned it into an ME Super, it could still be a perfectly viable camera to use.

screwdriver - yes I'll try some new batteries, tried your other suggestions.

john - thanks, the metering appears to run consistently (haven't checked it's calibration) and as long as this is separate from the AF electronics, it should be OK. I look forward to shooting with it.

I was interested to note the shutter will fire at 1/125th and B without batteries (must be the only AF camera capable of that!).

Yes, the exposure circuit is separate from the AF
The exposure electronics is, IIRC, exactly the same as the ME-Super.

Do watch out for the ISO/Ev dial - that was a common cause of exposure issue.
Internally it's a ceramic variable resistor, and any dust or dirt would make it misread - drastically underexposing.

I ended up repairing my ME-F and my wife's ME-Super. They can be a real pain to disassemble and reassemble (even with a service manual!), and replacing the ISO dial wasn't hard (or cleaning with good quality electrical cleaner worked for a while too).

Also - try a different lens. The original 28-70 (the bulky one that took AAA batteries for the focus) would communicate with the body. So, I'm not sure how the communication worked between the two, and whether there might be any incompatibility issues with other lenses. Certainly with "A" and "M" series lenses there shouldn't be a problem.

(Oops) Just seem you said it was a 50mm M series. Try cleaning the contacts too, just in case

HTH,
Matt