Pentax Super A/Super Program

Pentax Super A/Super Program Camera Information/Reviews

Super A/Super Program
Year introduced 1983	Mount KA	Meter range 1 - 19 EV	Meter pattern c
ISO range 6 - 3200	DX ISO range No DX coding	Exposure modes P, Tv, Av, M, X, B	Exposure compensation +/-2 EV
Exposure lock No	Shutter speeds (auto) 15 - 1/2000s	Shutter speeds (manual) 15 - 1/2000s	Shutter speeds (mechanical) None
Self timer Yes	Mirror lock-up No	Auto bracketing No	Multiple exposures No
Winder External winder 2 fps, motor drive 2 and 3.5 fps	Built-in flash No	TTL flash Yes	P-TTL flash No
Sync speed 1/125s	Flash exposure comp No	Autofocus No	Autofocus sensitivity Not applicable
Power zoom No	Viewfinder 0.82x, 92%	Viewfinder type Pentaprism	Diopter correction No
Exchangeable screen No	Depth of field preview Yes	Image size 24 x 36 mm	Panorama format No
Battery 2 x S76	Battery grip/pack No	Size (W x H x D) 131 x 86.5 x 47.5 mm	Weight 490 g
Comment The first Pentax with Program and Tv autoexposure

rlwilsonjr · 05-26-2009, 06:03 AM #2

I think the contacts introduced with the Super Program (my first Pentax) let the body SENSE the aperture setting, not set it. The linkage that drives the autodiaphragm already let the camera control it, by moving the close-down lever and hence the blades more or less. The lens does not contain anything like a motor that could use information sent through the contacts to move the blades to some particular position.
But otherwise I agree, nice description, nice pictures!
Bob Wilson

*lawsonstone* · 05-26-2009, 11:12 AM #3

I had thought actually that the whole auto-diaphragm mechanism is in fact what the Super Program introduced. You set the lens on "A" and the camera could then either match the aperture to whatever shutter speed you set, or set both for the first "program" mode in Pentax.

Do I have that wrong?

**Ole** · 05-27-2009, 09:32 PM #4

Originally Posted by rlwilsonjr

I think the contacts introduced with the Super Program (my first Pentax) let the body SENSE the aperture setting, not set it. The linkage that drives the autodiaphragm already let the camera control it, by moving the close-down lever and hence the blades more or less. The lens does not contain anything like a motor that could use information sent through the contacts to move the blades to some particular position.
But otherwise I agree, nice description, nice pictures!
Bob Wilson

Strictly speaking, you're correct. The aperture is set by the camera by moving the stop down lever on the lens. The camera displays the automatically set aperture in the view finder. Neither would be possible without the lens contacts which encode the min. aperture of the lens and the number of f-stops which the lens covers.

**Ole** · 05-27-2009, 09:34 PM #5

Originally Posted by lawsonstone

I had thought actually that the whole auto-diaphragm mechanism is in fact what the Super Program introduced. You set the lens on "A" and the camera could then either match the aperture to whatever shutter speed you set, or set both for the first "program" mode in Pentax.

Do I have that wrong?

You have that right. Not until the "A" lenses were program and Tv automation possible.

**Ole** · 05-27-2009, 09:41 PM #6

Here is an additional picture of the Super Program which shows the mechanical and electrical coupling for the winder/motor drive.

*lawsonstone* · 06-08-2009, 10:32 AM #7

Just a little note...my OCD side can't help but note that this camera, for which the A series of lenses was produced, is portrayed here with an (excellent!) M-Series lens!

Okay, I have that out of my system now...breathe....

Thanks for this wonderful database!

bdery · 06-09-2009, 07:35 PM #8

Maybe the nicest MF camera built by Pentax? My experience now covers the P30T, the ME super, and this one. I think the Super program is the necest of them all, it has the ruggedness of the ME Super and the better handling of newer models (especially with the small grip for the right hand fingers).

Never used it much with film, but handled one for some time before letting it go. Really a nice thing to use, if you're into film. As fully featured as anyone could wish, I think.

zx-m · 06-12-2009, 08:11 AM #9

After having experience with the KX, ME, ME Super, ZX-M, and Super Program, I would agree that, overall, the Super Program is best. It offers better handling, a motor drive, a 1/2000 shutter speed, and many other useful features. The SP's viewfinder display is excellent, and its build quality is quite good.

Ron Redwood · 07-04-2009, 05:00 PM #10

The big plus of the Super Program is TTL flash. The big negative is that I find the LCD viewfinder difficult. In weak light you need the illumination button..which give barely enough backlight. The real thing..I wear glasses and the LCD is so located that I have trouble seeing the full display and when I can the LCD numbers are blocky and take getting used to. The P3n went back to a shutter dial. The ME Super was a bit smaller-with a nice viewfinder (LED)..but neither had TTL flash.
If the P3n had TTL and spot meter....it could have been a terrific camera. Pentax later did put everything togather with the ZX5n....though the viewfinder again was difficult.

For flash..if you don't wear glasses...the Super Prog is quite solid.

titrisol · 07-08-2009, 04:08 AM #11

I prefer the Program-A since it does not have a motor drive
I believe otherwise tey are (almost) the same

**Adam** · 07-10-2009, 07:44 AM #12

The Program-A doesn't have Tv mode, while the Super A does. That's the key difference.

Spock · 09-17-2009, 12:12 AM #13

Originally Posted by Adam

The Program-A doesn't have Tv mode, while the Super A does. That's the key difference.

Other differences are:

1) The Progam-A had only a 1/1000 max shutter speed compared to the 1/2000 of the Super-A.

2) Super-A flash sync speed is 1/125, Program-A is 1/100

3) Super-A has a top LCD.

4) Super-A has a film winding confirmation window.

5) Super-A has an viewfinder LCD backlight.

(There may be more differences but that's all I remember)

The Program A is a nice camera but is really just a stripped-down budget version of Super-A - which is undoubtedly the better camera. (I had both).

*Steve Beswick* · 10-29-2009, 02:19 AM #14

Originally Posted by Ron Redwood

The big plus of the Super Program is TTL flash. The big negative is that I find the LCD viewfinder difficult. In weak light you need the illumination button..which give barely enough backlight. The real thing..I wear glasses and the LCD is so located that I have trouble seeing the full display and when I can the LCD numbers are blocky and take getting used to. The P3n went back to a shutter dial. The ME Super was a bit smaller-with a nice viewfinder (LED)..but neither had TTL flash.
If the P3n had TTL and spot meter....it could have been a terrific camera. Pentax later did put everything togather with the ZX5n....though the viewfinder again was difficult.

For flash..if you don't wear glasses...the Super Prog is quite solid.

The P3n did have TTL.