The Pentax ME Super was one of the most successful 35mm SLRs of the 70s/80s. Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentax_... Manual: www.butkus.org/chinon/pentax/...
I've been searching for my beloved Pentax ME and found it today and instantly got onto UA-cam for a refresher of all its functions! Thanks for your short, concise and informative overview! It brings back awesome memories. Can't wait to use it again.
Just been given an ME super in full working order + a couple of lenses from a friend having a clear out. Feels so solid compared to my EOS DSLR. Back in the day, I opted for the Ricoh XR7 instead, which accompanied me on many a motor bike tour. The guy would not accept money for the Pentax, so gave him loads of veg out my garden instead. Nice video
I've got one. It's sits safely in a curio cabinet. But lately I'm itching to take it out and, buy some film, and take out for some photos. Videos like this one gets me fired up to put down my DSLR's and give one of my film cameras a go! Thanks.
Lovely camera which I bought in 1981 and used to get my photography degree. I still use the excellent 50mm 1.7 kit lens on my digital cameras. Another feature is, if the camera battery conks out, the shutter will fire at 125th sec.
I had one in the mid-80s .. wish I'd kept it .. started 2 get good with it & still have the album of images taken with it .. memories of the time flood back. FF to 2023 & I'm looking 4ward taking delivery of an "all-black" Super with a nice Pentax 50mm/f 1.7 std lens. I think I'll build a collection of 3 or 4 prime lenses; a 28mm wide, the 50mm std, a portrait lens & a 200mm telephoto .. & maybe some close-up diops. Will resist zooms .. lets see how good an image I can take & how creative I can be. My "old 80s silver top" was grand spanking new in the day .. how ironic coming full circle but most likely will need 2 CLA. An under-appreciated 35mm SLR 4 sure.
I used one for years. Probably the most fun film camera I ever owned. Pentax K bayonet allows you the biggest range of lenses. I had 50mm, 35mm, 135mm and a Tokina 70-210, which were all very sharp.
I successfully rewinded the film but it was a bit harder so my question is - How much resistance does this camera put trough rewinding 36-37 frames? After that I ispected it and nothing seems damaged, cocking, pulling and firing works with open door. When rewind button is pressed and released, sprocket teeth spool turns freely - should it also release the take-up spool? So when its released should you turn it freely with fingers as you can the one with teeth?
back in 1980 my friend was an aviation photographer he used a pentax me super i was going to buy one then bought a olympus om 2n with winder you could get good results with any of them i always wanted a nikon but could not afford to at that time still like the pentax ..........!
Hi there im having a problem where the mode dial on my camera is stuck in the "auto" possition and wont turn to any of the other modes and thoughts on how to fix?
For some reason the iso setting for me won't budge! I'm trying different techniques to change the iso but only the whole exposure compensation wheel moves... any help?
This may be a stupid question, but which direction does the exposure compensation go? Is 2x one stop of overexposure or is it 1/2x? I am just worried to mess up my first rolls!
My strongest memory of the ME Super I owned is how badly it would under expose if there was any skylight in the field of view. Other than that it was a fine camera.
I wish my Pentax ME would take up film like yours, mine simply refuses to and just unwinds itself. Only recently bought it from a camera store online, I'm returning it, not one to do again, I'm sticking to digital from now on.
@@threeminutepro Thank you for your reply, but no. I've fought with film for the last 18 months, I'm done. One problem after another, it's cost me a fortune, just not worth it in my opinion. I'm sure you and others will say otherwise, but no. Back to my trusty old Canon 5D for me.
How much cost of you to buy the roll and have it developed and printed? I gave it up because it costs too much for me and I have noticed after decades that I have lost everything :-( the workshops did not do a good job and the photos have turned white!
Perfect overview with no annoying waffle. Thanks!
Thank you 😄
I've been searching for my beloved Pentax ME and found it today and instantly got onto UA-cam for a refresher of all its functions! Thanks for your short, concise and informative overview! It brings back awesome memories. Can't wait to use it again.
You’re welcome 😀
Just been given an ME super in full working order + a couple of lenses from a friend having a clear out. Feels so solid compared to my EOS DSLR. Back in the day, I opted for the Ricoh XR7 instead, which accompanied me on many a motor bike tour. The guy would not accept money for the Pentax, so gave him loads of veg out my garden instead. Nice video
The Ricoh is a great camera as well
Clear, simple and useful. Thanks a lot for this good review of the vintage Pentax. The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune
It’s a great camera. I used one for many years
I've got one. It's sits safely in a curio cabinet. But lately I'm itching to take it out and, buy some film, and take out for some photos. Videos like this one gets me fired up to put down my DSLR's and give one of my film cameras a go! Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it! It’s all about getting your workflow sorted 😀
Great stuff! Concise & Well refreshing, thankyou!
Thank you 😄
Brilliant useful review! Can't wait to get my camera up and running.
Thank you 😄
Thanks, that was quick and informative
Bless you great review!
Thank you 😀
got this camera yesterday for a great price... super excited to take stunning photos in the streets of TO :) Thanks for the review
You’re welcome! Glad to help 😀
Hey, where’d you get the camera from and how much did it cost? I’m looking to get one in Toronto, thanks.
@@DonAtam Picked one up today. i paid £151 for fully serviced with film and a 6 month warranty.. just watched this video to to and figure it out haha
Lovely camera which I bought in 1981 and used to get my photography degree. I still use the excellent 50mm 1.7 kit lens on my digital cameras. Another feature is, if the camera battery conks out, the shutter will fire at 125th sec.
Thanks! I missed this. I had an ME Super for years in the 1990s. Possibly my most productive photographic period.
Really appreciated that!
Welcome 😀
Love the look of this tiny camera. Throw on a small 35mm F 2.8. A perfect around town shooter maybe ?
Superb piece of kit. Reall nice to use
I had one in the mid-80s .. wish I'd kept it .. started 2 get good with it & still have the album of images taken with it .. memories of the time flood back. FF to 2023 & I'm looking 4ward taking delivery of an "all-black" Super with a nice Pentax 50mm/f 1.7 std lens. I think I'll build a collection of 3 or 4 prime lenses; a 28mm wide, the 50mm std, a portrait lens & a 200mm telephoto .. & maybe some close-up diops. Will resist zooms .. lets see how good an image I can take & how creative I can be. My "old 80s silver top" was grand spanking new in the day .. how ironic coming full circle but most likely will need 2 CLA. An under-appreciated 35mm SLR 4 sure.
I used one for years. Probably the most fun film camera I ever owned. Pentax K bayonet allows you the biggest range of lenses. I had 50mm, 35mm, 135mm and a Tokina 70-210, which were all very sharp.
I used extension tubes instead of close up lenses with the 50mm and got extremely sharp results.
I successfully rewinded the film but it was a bit harder so my question is - How much resistance does this camera put trough rewinding 36-37 frames? After that I ispected it and nothing seems damaged, cocking, pulling and firing works with open door. When rewind button is pressed and released, sprocket teeth spool turns freely - should it also release the take-up spool? So when its released should you turn it freely with fingers as you can the one with teeth?
I think it should turn freely
Just got the same camera on ebay for 100$ with a 50mm lens and a telephoto lens super excited
Bargain! Which telephoto did you get? 135mm?
@threeminutepro 200mm
back in 1980 my friend was an aviation photographer he used a pentax me super i was going to buy one then bought a olympus om 2n with winder you could get good results with any of them i always wanted a nikon but could not afford to at that time still like the pentax ..........!
Olympus OM2 is my all time favourite
Hi there im having a problem where the mode dial on my camera is stuck in the "auto" possition and wont turn to any of the other modes and thoughts on how to fix?
There’s a button on the mode dial that has to be pressed. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to get it repaired
For some reason the iso setting for me won't budge! I'm trying different techniques to change the iso but only the whole exposure compensation wheel moves... any help?
Nevermind I found out you had to lift the wheel lol
Glad you got it sorted
@@threeminutepro haha thanks alot :)
Does the ME Super and the normal ME also have the depth of field preview function at the self timer lever?
Yes
Depth-of-field preview; i t h i n k one slightly loosens the lens barrel on its mount 2 facilitate that .. or was that with the MEF?
The only way to to do it is slightly loosen the lens on is mount.
NO but the MX does.@@threeminutepro
Quite correct. I remember asking the guy who owned the camera shop this question.@@jocknarn3225
This may be a stupid question, but which direction does the exposure compensation go? Is 2x one stop of overexposure or is it 1/2x? I am just worried to mess up my first rolls!
2x is one stop overexposure. Pentax don’t follow the norm with regard to exposure comp
@@threeminutepro Thank you so much! I finally know that I didn't underexpose my first roll
My strongest memory of the ME Super I owned is how badly it would under expose if there was any skylight in the field of view. Other than that it was a fine camera.
One of the things about centre-weighted metering. That's why I love the newer autofocus 35mm SLRs so much.
So how do you turn it on and get the pictures
Move the dial to Auto, half press the shutter release 😀
My exposure control is stuck on auto, it refuses to move, trying to figure out why
I figured it out thanks to Internet forums
Glad it’s sorted 😄
I wish my Pentax ME would take up film like yours, mine simply refuses to and just unwinds itself. Only recently bought it from a camera store online, I'm returning it, not one to do again, I'm sticking to digital from now on.
You could try a Nikon. They’re built like tanks. Check out my reviews of the FE, F55 and F801
@@threeminutepro Thank you for your reply, but no. I've fought with film for the last 18 months, I'm done. One problem after another, it's cost me a fortune, just not worth it in my opinion. I'm sure you and others will say otherwise, but no. Back to my trusty old Canon 5D for me.
Just bought one on ebay for £50 - body only cos I got plenty of Pentax lenses. Can't wait to get back to B&W film.....
Well done! That’s a bargain
Why b&w? Is it a choice or its better for B&W?
@@AanShovon I'd say it's a choice. No film camera is better at B&W than the other, the result simply depends on what film you put in it
How much cost of you to buy the roll and have it developed and printed? I gave it up because it costs too much for me and I have noticed after decades that I have lost everything :-( the workshops did not do a good job and the photos have turned white!
I have the same camera Pentax so if anyone interested please do DM me