[Ole]

ME Super
Year introduced 1980	Mount K	Meter range 1 - 19 EV	Meter pattern c
ISO range 12-1600	DX ISO range No DX coding	Exposure modes Av, M, X, B	Exposure compensation +/-2 EV
Exposure memory lock No	Shutter speeds (auto) 4 - 1/2000s	Shutter speeds (manual) 4 - 1/2000s	Shutter speeds (mechanical) 1/125s, B
Self timer Yes	Mirror lock-up No	Auto bracketing No	Multiple exposures Yes
Winder External winder 2 fps	Built-in flash No	TTL flash No	P-TTL flash No
Sync speed 1/125s	Flash exposure comp No	Autofocus No	Autofocus sensitivity Not applicable
Power zoom No	Viewfinder 0.95x, 92%	Viewfinder type Pentaprism	Diopter correction No
Exchangeable screen No	Depth of field preview No	Image size 24 x 36 mm	Panorama format No
Battery 2 x S76	Battery grip/pack No	Size (W x H x D) 131.5 x 82.5 x 49.5 mm	Weight 445 g
Variants PENTAX ME Super: The original PENTAX ME Super SE: An 'SE' version was released in later years, featuring a diagonal split screen rather an a horizontal one
Comment A follow on to the very popular ME model, the ME Super added manual shutter speeds selected by two tiny push buttons on the top plate.

[Tom S.]

The venerable ME Super... where do I begin?

I used two of these cameras for years, decades actually. Small, light weight, accurate light measuring, and bright viewfinder - what's not to like?

Well a couple of things maybe. Although top technology for the time, if you are hung up on auto focus and one button picture taking, stay away. On the other hand, if you want a cheap work horse that will give you beautiful prints and/or slides, provided you do your part, you can't miss with this camera.

Many accessories were also made for this camera, including a motorized winder with an optional 25 or 30 ft remote cord, data back (out of date unfortunately), right angle viewers, and I think at one time a high capacity motorized film back. And I'm not even going to start in on the cheap but great glass you can buy for this camera!

Given the low prices these are bringing on ebay, it's hard not to like this little jewel!

[jadedrakerider]

What a long, strange journey it's been. I picked up the ME Super because my Dad had the ME (but it was stolen) and I was just starting to take photography seriously.

I originally had a Canon EOS 650, which I personally disliked using because of all the buttons and automation. It really just seemed like Canon was putting as much as possible between me and photography. Sure my exposures came out just fine, but I wasn't learning anything.

Then I picked up the ME Super on eBay. It's the perfect balance between automation and manual control. I simply adore shooting in Aperture priority mode for all of my normal shooting, but when I was learning the zone system the subject brightness range was easy to find thanks to the LED's in the viewfinder! What a brilliant design!

Many people say they don't like the push-buttons that set the shutter speed, but in situations where speed is of the essence, you just switch it into auto-mode and make sure you can stop the action! Brilliant!

[unixrevolution]

The Pentax ME Super was the first serious camera I ever held, and was what my dad chose as the camera that would take my baby pictures.

I still have Dad's ME Super, and with nought but a cleaning, it has been functioning beautifully for the last nearly thirty years.

The ME super has almost everything you could want in an SLR...Aperture Priority AE or fully manual operation, compact and lightweght size, feels good in the hand, and dead-simple to use. It even has exposure compensation!

It meters accurately and handles beautifully, takes great flash photos, and has a mechanical 1/125x flash-sync so it can even be operated without batteries (I've done this many times with an ME super and it works superbly.)

The only thing I can't say I like about the ME super is its lack of aperture preview. That's one very tiny strike against what's otherwise an excellent SLR.

[TareCat]

My husband was given one of these cameras by his mother about 10 years ago. It was originally hers. I've just started using it and was hoping to talk to people who know what they're doing, and that may have experience working with it. Thanks. : )

[Ocean]

Pros	small, light, sturdy, fun
Cons	its no LX, I dont like silver
Rating	8
Price (U.S. Dollars)	350
Years Owned	25

I can recommend this camera: Yes

Value, Features, Performance & Size
nice

Camera Review
Was me starting camera - "stole" it from my father and from there on, the photo-virus begun.

Then I bought my first Super A und LX and the best leses from Pentax, in the manual time I heed no need for Nikon, Canon, Minolta or even Leica.
I Was happe with Pentax.
Today I need Panasonic, Olympus, Canon - Pentax is not really competetive anymore...

[drmoss_ca]

Pros	Size
Cons	few
Rating	8
Price (U.S. Dollars)	You expect me to remember?
Years Owned	26

I can recommend this camera: Yes

Value, Features, Performance & Size
The size is the main advantage. Biggest failing is the lack of exposure lock when in auto mode.

Camera Review
I managed to put a 3v battery in my old ME Super today. I checked the meter roughly agreed with that in another camera and ran through a couple of films. Sadly, the first did not wind on properly - it was a home-loaded Freestyle (almost certainly containing Fuji Neopan 400 in bulk) and I had cut the leader to suit my Leicas, which turned out to be the wrong way up. Nothing there. The second was Tri-X exposed at 1250 so I could develop in Diafine. Everything was great until I found the shutter failed to wind on after the first few exposures. The film has been developed and is currently drying. Rather than considering a repair, I have visited KEH and found a replacement (and an MX just as insurance) for $59! I still have 50mm lenses at f1.7 and 55mm/f2.0, the infamous pancake 40mm/f2.8, a 150mm/f3.5 and a Vivitar 28mm/f2.5 with a K-mount adaptor. There is also a bag of the wretched auto-focus lenses that went with the SF-1.
I bought the ME Super new in London in the early eighties. I still have the K1000 it was to supercede, and I bought that at Fox Talbot on Tottenham Court Road in 1976. All my 35mm film has been on Leica M7s and MPs in recent years, but I have to say I really enjoyed shooting the SLRs again. Perhaps I should also confess that whilst at KEH I picked up a couple of OMs that I lusted after but could not afford in the 1970s? I thought not!

Chris

[wshi]

Pros	Very compact, auto and manual controls, huge viewfinder
Cons	Ergonomics, shutter speed buttons somewhat difficult to operate
Rating	9
Price (U.S. Dollars)	$70
Years Owned	1

I can recommend this camera: Yes

Value, Features, Performance & Size
Value: 10/10
Features: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Size: 10/10

Camera Review
The Pentax ME Super is my first and only film SLR since I've started photography with the K-x. From a dslr user's point of view, the ME Super represents a refreshing change from the digital era.

The camera is absolutely tiny compared to even the very small K-x. Compared to my K20D, the ME Super is almost picket sized. As such, at times I can throw the camera, a fast 50, and an extra roll of film with me in a bag and be set. The camera feels like solid weight in the hand, and feels like it can take its fair share of abuse and just keep on working. Superb build quality, compared to the plastics used in a lot of products seen today.

For such a small package, most dslr users will be pleasantly surprised to find that the ME Super is packing an absolutely enormous viewfinder. If all you've ever used is an aps-c sized viewfinder, you will be amazed. The viewfinder contains a horizontal split prism, as well as a microprism focusing ring. These two focusing aids make manual focusing a breeze, and very precise.

Feature wise, the ME Super contains almost all the features that I could want on an slr. The camera is designed to function in Auto mode, which is essentially Aperture Priority mode from modern dslrs. Simply set your film speed and then aperture, and the camera does the rest, as far as exposure is concerned. It's still up to you to make meaningful compositions. The ME Super, in contrast to the ME, also has a manual mode. Two black buttons to the left of the shutter release allow the user to switch the shutter speed from 4s to 1/2000s. The fact that a manual mode exists is very nice, but the buttons are rather cumbersome to reach and it is somewhat difficult to accurately meter a scene manually, as there is no traditional exposure meter with a needle, but green lights that light up next to correct shutter speeds. Personally, I've always left the camera on Auto and let it do its job.

Some features that are missing that I wish it had are mirror lock up and depth of field preview.

These cameras are plentiful and cheap on the used market, but many have problems with shutter speed accuracy and foam seals. My ME Super was in pretty much Mint condition, but the shutter speeds were inaccurate and the foam seals were done for. A CLA cost about $65, but afterward the camera should last more than a decade before needing more maintenance. Overall, if you're thinking about trying out film, the ME Super is a cost effective and beautiful little camera, just be careful that the bargain you think you're getting is really a bargain.