Pentax ME Super Film Camera

The ME-Super arguably was and is, the pride of the long discontinued, ME camera series, and certainly the most popular, but be sure to get an overhauled one (They are available!) to avoid expensive repairs. (Ask the seller for a guarantee, and see what they say.)

Most sellers are not aware of the potential problems so beware. Choose your seller carefully, and allow at least £50 to cover repairs if the camera has not been overhauled.

Introduced in 1979 as a replacement to the ME along with the simplified MV, it's compact lightweight design (445g without lens), and simple operation, and a new manual mode proved to be a hit with users.

The viewfinders are clear and bright, with a split-prism focusing aid. The shutter speeds are displayed to the left.

For those of us with aging vision, note that the eyepiece focus is set to middle-distance focusing rather than infinity, so reducing the need for corrective lenses.

Exposure compensation is set by simply turning the film-speed setting dial, and permits plus or minus two stops in one stop increments. A LED lites-up in the viewfinder to remind you that the compensation is active.

Pentax dedicated flaxhguns indicate when the flash is ready in the viewfinder, so you don't need to look away to check. (It is not TTL flash metering.)

In use they are very easy to use, and the centre weighted metering always seems to get it right, so that compensation is only really necessary in obvious situations. (Snow, etc.)

Available accessories include a digital data back, and a auto-winder. (2 models available) However, caution should be exercised when using with the auto-winder with older cameras, as they can be a bit harsh, and older cameras in need of lubrication may not appreciate being driven quite so hard. (Also some winders don't know exactly when to stop!)

Age has proved them to be very reliable, but examples approaching or past their 20th year should be overhauled to ensure another twenty plus years of reliable service. (Check out Alchemic Photography on ebay.co.uk for overhauled examples.)

Expect rotted seals and mirror cushions on un-serviced/overhauled samples. And some will jam due to heavy winder use, or deterioration of rubber parts gumming-up the mirror release. This can be repaired, and is not beyond the capacity of the average hobbyist, but some special tools will be needed.

Many examples will have the auto-winder clutch-cover missing. This could indicate hard usage. This is usually OK, but autowinders can sometimes tear the sprocket holes in film, so look out for loose bits in the camera.

You will usually find a replacement cover if you also buy a winder. (They have a recess to keeo the cover in.)

The only parts which may need replacement which are not commonly available are usually obtainable from MV models sold as scrap, but some midification may be required.

You can also have them overhauled for you, and it is well worth the cost. Once done they should last another twenty years! An overhaul will cost anything between £50 and £100 depending on where you go and any parts.

Summary.

Shutter: Vertical run metal focal plane.
Speeds: 4s to 1/2000 continuously variable in auto mode.
Exposure meter: Center weighted full aperture TTL.
Exposure modes: Aperture priority & manual
ASA/ISO range: 12 to 1600
Finder screen: fixed
Shoe: fixed hot shoe with contact for dedicated flash & PC socket.
X sync speed: 1/125

The ME Super has been out of production for quite a while. This one, though isd in remarkable shape.Great evidence that routine care, of a camera, can extend the usable life of that camera for a long time. Add to it that Pentax is credited with the design and manufacture of the M42 lens mount, and, virtually, every maker of 35mm SLRs will have an adapter to allow for M42 lenses to be mounted on numerous bodies.

Forget the drivel written in the other reviews.
The ME was Pentax's response to the 'newer', smaller and lighter SLRs from such as Olympus. Unfortunately, in it's original form it was aperture priority only. This was addressed with the introduction of the ME Super, which allowed manual setting of the shutter speed.
Lens mount is NOT M42 (which, incidentally, was developed by Zeiss/Exacta/Praktica and NOT Pentax), but Pentax 'PK' bayonet. In fact, Pentax introduced the 'M' series of lenses specifically for the 'M' series cameras... The standard fit, f1.7 Takumar is very sharp and still highly regarded.
The ME Super is generally considered to be the 'second best' of the M series (after the all manual and 'semi-pro', MX). It makes a sensible alternative to the ubiquitous Olympus OM10 as a 'student camera', yet is eminently suitable for the enthusiastic amateur.

Bought this camera for mu wife who had one of these years ago that was stolen. We never replaced it. Recently she wanted to get back to B&W photo I was happly to find this in great shape. Went on to find several lenses also on eBay
to complete the outfit. Every seller I have meet so far has been great.

I have one that I bought in the 80's and really enjoyed using it when mine started to have problems I looked to ebay for another I really like them alot.

I have purchased the camera a last month.

I like it....It's a low price. And It was maded 1980's. But Its light metering is perfect. Its "A" mode of function is so convenient. Is good because can feel manual system camera easily. Is good because can feel manual system camera easily!!!

It is true that inconvenient point that is many because comparing with modern DSLR camera is. However, think that there is his value

The original Pentax ME is an automatic-only 35mm SLR. The ME "Super" adds manual mode - a must for any serious photographer - but is otherwise identical. Shutter speed is controlled with up/down buttons on the top panel rather than the tradional dial. The body is much smaller than the K series, yet not so small as to make holding it awkward with large hands. Takes two LR44 button batteries to power the meter, easily found at Radio Shack or WalMart. Film advance is manual, but the ME Winder is available to add motor drive at 2.5fps (IIRC).

this camera has fairly fast flash sync and easy to read meter,however, it would be helpful if it had a depth of field preview.

I bought it to give my grandson so that he will actually learn something about photography besides just using a point and shoot digital camera. I have several Pentax k-mount manual focus cameras and this particular model has manual exposure in addition to auto-exxposure and overall the camera is very easy to use.
The camera has several modes: Auto exposure(aperture preferred), manual,
and if the batteries die, can be operated at 1/125 sec manually. It also has exposure compensation(+2&+4 and -1/2&-1/4). It also accepts a power winder
and has dedicated flash capability. Film speeds run from ASA 12 to ASA 1600.

My only complaint about this series Pentax camera is that they are getting hard to find and repairs generally cost more than the camera is worth.

I also own an ME Super that served me well before I retired. I kept it in my car
and used it as one of my job tools investigating train derailments. It served me well and never failed under some hard use.

I mostly had liked the ME Super long ago because it has a little "auto" and enough manual,is compact,handles my screw mt lenses okay. Recently I've ebay-bought a ME Super and a Super Program. Each has a minor cosmetic ding-each works. Figured I'd keep one. They ARE similar-yet in several details-I find the ME Super will be the keeper. The Super Program uses a LCD readout in the finder instead of LED. While there's a button to add a little illumination-it's marginal,and the LCD is a bit awkward to see with glasses. Each has a TINY button on the mode dial to go from Auto to Man...and these are different-it's REALLY tiny on the ME Super,bigger but stiffer on the Super Program...Either is a hassle,and IMO about the biggest negative. Otherwise...There's a lot to like about both. Both use the common 1.5 v battery. Both are famed for durability. As noted-the foam bumpers and light seals may need replacement...if not just yet...before long. That's so with most 20-30 year old bodies. Otherwise-as a buyer-I'd want assurance the meter is working. Beware the sellers who sell many cameras and do not want to KNOW if they meter or not. Maybe you get their camera $5-10 cheaper...then find it's not metering.

Great camera brings back the old days, when film was king. This is great for beginers to learn and appricate the proper way to become photographers.

I bought this camera because I needed to replace a similar one that broke. I love this camera so I couldn't resist.

What can I say, it is a workhorse and I'll be using it as long as I can get film. Getting out the classic film cameras is a fun break from dSLR's.

The camera body was as advertised.I am satisfied the seller seems to an honest merchant.If I needed something he had for sale I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
Bob Haeussler

It was great film camera with near perpect condition -cosmetically, mechanically--just like the seller mentioned.

Ebay is great experience to get what you want.

Thanks

The pentax camera film advance and shutter are frozen. This is how I received the
item. The camera needs to be repaired. The camera was well protected in shipment
by copious amount of bubblewrap.

I love these vintage circa 1980 Pentax ME Super models. My old one quit working, but I have amassed quite an assembly of accessories for ME Supers so I thought I would replace my nonworking ME. I saw this one with the original manual beside it and placed a bid. I won the item and it arrived shortly after. It took about four days to arrive. It was packaged well and works fine. The seller was kind enough to answer a question or two. The old Pentax K 1000 is still in demand as a good go to SLR 35mm camera. My brother has it. I got a KX the K 1000s replacement, then an ME Super. The Me Super was quite the camera in the late 70s and early 80s. It was two steps short of point and shoot. The ME program was one step closer yet. I like these because the shutter speed is automatically adjusted, for your aperture setting. It is just a cool little camera. It came with an after market zoom lens too. I still enjoy film cameras, but will be on the look out for a digital camera soon. The seller was wonderful. He was forthcoming and honest about everything. I would be more than happy to do business with him again. The world could use more people with his values and attitude.

What can i say. WOW...What a Camera. I originally purchased my 1st mint condition used Pentax ME Super in 1998, well it was a gift more than a purchase and got on so well with the camera that a year down the line in 1999 i purchased myself a 2nd body with standard 50mm Pentax SMC 1.7 lens for a modest fee of £75 in mint condition and still boxed.

After doing some research on camerapedia, i figured that bidding on a used ME Super was a fairly safe bet as they are notoriously reliable over many years, not requiring too much service. The camera is a great way to get into (or back into) film photography- film is still widely available (on ebay and elsewhere), so you can experiment with relative ease. Development costs have increased, but the results are still worth it (plus nothing beats the click-crank-sound of the shutter and winder)!

I find that the light meter is rather conservative, probably because it is not a spot meter, and merely reacts to overall brightness. I found that while I followed the exposure meter, some of my first rolls turned up rather dark. When shooting on film, its actually somewhat safer to overexpose than under (unlike with digital where overexposed areas are jarringly white).

Most ME supers come with the original 50mm f/2 lens. It is a great lens, compared to modern lenses not spectacular by any means, but capable of capturing a moment that feels timeless (at this point, i recommend 400-800 speed film for general indoor/outdoor use). It doesn't have the sharpest "bokeh" but it captures depth of field well and performs with the aperture wide open. If you like using the ME Super, i would recommend getting a second lens to expand your capabilities.

The camera was a fine value and the service was excellent. Communication before during and after the transaction was clear and effective.

Excellent picture quality and great ease of use

Easy of use, very portable, choice of automatic/manual use, and tough.

great buy camera in excellent conduction seller was vary easy to work with would buy again 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

Camera still works great. Very happy with the purchase. I wish it came with a neck strap, but overall I am pleased we were able to buy it.