Pentax SFX

I am currently sorting out my old film cameras,(Sold an MX here last week), when my wife informed me she taking some items to the local charity shop,on closer inspection I found she had put in the bag my old Pentax SFX Camera and lens, Her thinking was it was to modern to be a classic and not worth much as it used film




Now I must explain that both camera and lens are mint and working, and was used by myself only a few months ago but since the battery died i never got around to replacing it, the camera still has the plastic protective backing on the base, and that I won this camera back in 1988 as a young 15 year old,so owned by myself from new, but with a number of house moves I don't have any boxes or even the congratulation letter that came with it.

The question is, should I have let her take it or do these cameras still have a market value and if so what, as she is right in some ways that I do have to many cameras that I no longer use, and I do need to start thinking of down sizing my collection.

So if I was to list it in classifieds what should I ask as I don't want to be seen as some sort of fool.

Thanks in advance Matty

I would say it does have value. I couldn't say what that value in economic terms may be but don't you have some attachment to it from winning it?

I'd sell it privately rather than charity shop.

For some reason when it comes to cameras I don't have an emotional attachment to them only cameras that I either use a lot or like to use a lot

Fair enough! I would still suggest selling through the forum as it is more likely to go to someone who will use it.

That's the thing, everything was 'too modern to be a classic' at some times or other..... These are meant to be pretty good though? AF but more reliable than the MZ bodies.

It certainly does have a resale value, as does the lens.

If you want to maximise your return, sell them separately.

You may have to buy a body cap and a rear cap for the lens if you don't still have them, but it'll be worth it.

They sell on ebay for £25 to £60.

I'd suggest a price in the middle and advertise here first.

As for not a classic, I have 2 that are rough, but everything works and they feel very modern for a 20 odd year old camera.

If I were you I'd get a battery (ebay!), film and find time to use it...

Matty,

The lens is highly regarded and works very well with digital, are you sure you want to sell it?

+1

I had an SFXn for many years (sorry I sold it in the end). As the first Pentax AF (body integral), it should be a classic one day...

Today it's seems overlooked (prices seem low), but it still has a lot to offer - non-crippled K mount, will work with FAJ & DA lenses (Tv or 3 programs), AF confirmation with 'direction arrows'. Easy user interface, off-set hotshoe. It is better with the AA battery grip though.

There's nothing flimsy about them and a lot more metal underneath the exterior than later models.

I happen to have a Hove guide for sale in the classifieds

John.

A further point:
The SFX(n) ('87) held the AF fort for Pentax right up to the point when the Z-1/Z-10 ('91) arrived with some help from the SF7. Canikon offered oodles of bodies in the same time-frame.

They introduced the KAF lens mount and all those 1.7x AF converters (selling for oodles of cash today) along with it.

Pentax (and we) have a great deal to thank the SFX(n) for

John.

The SFXn was my first proper camera bought brand new from Jessops with Sigma 28-50 and 50-210mm lenses. I only wish now I learned how to use it. Sold on ebay Have loads of holiday snaps (slides) which I must sort out some day

The lens is very well regarded, although the camera not so much these days, I think.

I had the same combination which I believe was actually 28-70 and 70-210 lenses.
I couldn't wait to use it so I am walking through the streets of Nottingham taking bits and bobs out of cellophane and cardboard boxes. Assembled it and pressed the shutter and...all I could hear was a whirring noise and no pictures I took it straight back to Jessies and the kind man showed me that I hadn't connected the lens properly...
Great camera but was the heaviest pentax film camera I have ever used

I put mine on ebay a few years ago with a £5 starting bid and got no takers, so now it lives in the back of my cupboard and very occasionally gets a roll put through it when I want a decent camera with me but am not prepared to risk my DSLR.

I quite like my old SFX, it's ugly as sin but hard as nails and it gets the job done.