| Author: | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: January, 2008 Location: Paris, TN Posts: 3,350 | | Review Date: June 3, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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I tried really hard to like the ME, but when it came out I was pretty well "accessoried out" with the M42 stuff and the Spotmatics and could see no advantage to transitioning to the M-body. Then I picked up a used MG and it became my day-camera and travel kit. The M-body was a great travel camera and brought about the M- and A-series K-mount lenses. I later picked up a few busted ME's for the lenses attached but can't claim to have ever shot a roll of film with one.
But the ME does have a place in my heart because it was the first Pentax body I ever totally disassembled. What an experience. I gained tremendous respect for the people that conceived of, drafted drawings for and assembled these remarkable machines.
The penta-prism from that body still resides SOMEWHERE in or on my desk and even drifts to the top once in a rare while.
H2
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2009 Location: somewhere around Posts: 615 | | Review Date: February 13, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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Received this a couple of days ago and I'm in love.
I don't find the lack of manual mode sucha huge issue. In fact I like the way it is making my life easier with less choices to make.
The shutter is Seiko and a genuine masterpiece. the blades are so fine it looks at the first glance they form a continuous curtain when you cock the shutter.
I find the camera itself an incredible thing by size and ergonomics. I love the led's in the HUGE viewfinder. Even in lowlight you can estimate the shutter speed.
I don't miss the DOF preview. again the viewfinder size compensates for that.
I guess I'm lucky 'cause I bought this for around 30 $ and in EX condition. The previous owner hardly ever used it. The battery cap is almost untouched, that makes me think he was never using it, but stored it instead. It retains it's full functionality.
I also own a SP II and a Super A. Both are gorgeous cameras, but this small sweetheart wins a high place in my heart.
Edit: My ME is jealous. I've got myself a broken ME Super for a bargain, fixed it and put it to it's paces.
Also is lil more used and abused than the ME, so I'm not worried about it so much.
Octav
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2009 Posts: 417 | | Review Date: June 23, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Rugged, small, perfectly formed | | Cons: | Viewfinder irritatingly dirty, no TTL | |
| Pros | Rugged, small, perfectly formed | | Cons | Viewfinder irritatingly dirty, no TTL | | Rating | 8 | | Price | na | | Years Owned | 1 |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
Bright viewfinder
Diminutive size
Rugged lens and tripod mounts
Machined ISO dial is one of the many pleasant aesthetic details
Shutter sound
Camera Review
Taking a picture with the ME is a bit louder than the MX and ME-Super, and the slower maximum shutter speed and heavier weight is also probably a result of the shutter mechanism, "Seiko version 1". Its got oodles of style, being more compact than the MX, and with cleaner lines than the ME Super, lacking the additional mount for the ME-S manual buttons. The brushed steel style breathes quality and unfortunately catches people's eye.
The ME Super represents a fractional technical improvement on the ME. I'd be more inclined to believe the meter in the camera, rather than switching to manual, so I think the ME-S' buttons are of limited value. However, the ME Super has an additional shock absorber in it, which the ME is missing. Mirror slap could be an issue, maybe the ME Super feels a bit better in this regard, but this only really comes into play at slower shutter speeds, and if its on a tripod, wont make any difference.
The viewfinder lights are nicer in the ME Super.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: November, 2009 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 3, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | like driving a standard auto
| | Cons: | sometimes like driving a standard in traffic
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| Pros | like driving a standard auto | | Cons | sometimes like driving a standard in traffic | | Rating | 10 | | Price (U.S. Dollars) | $100 including 4 lens + flash | | Years Owned | 2 |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
Fantastic value for someone who wants to learn about photography fro the ground up. It is almost entirely manual with a simple light meter to help gage speeds and such. It performs in precisely as promised - not more or less. The size, weight and general mass of the camera are substantial yet not overwhelming. It feels comfortable and secure in your hands.
Camera Review
This camera is a treat to own and handle. The photos are just like the ones you can produce with photoshop and a DSLR, but without even the cost of the software. Really, the camera makes you stop and think about what you are doing, take the time to set aperture and dial in you manual focus using your hands, you eyes and your own sense of just what you want to see. I have a DSLR, a digital point and shoot and a now older digital SLR like and none quite give me the joy and sense of discovery and amazement as when I receive my photos back from one of the few places in town that still develops film in less than a week. The camera works as promised and then some. For $100 I purchased it locally from an online add that promised it was the sellers grandfathers camera. The gentleman delivered it to my home within the included hard camera case along with a Pentax flash that simply required new batteries, and four lovely Pentax lenses : 28mm, 50mm - favourite, 135mm and a 70 - 200mm. Al lenses work perfectly. The photos are not as crisp or detailed as high end current fodder but the photos contain elements of mood, an aura of ambiance and a real sense that someone took the time to compose and execute a photo that is more than a snapshot. If you love photography, or are willing to let yourself fall for someone a little older learn to then get one of these littel cougar cameras.
Sure you can buy a new Lexus automatic in lime green metallic but when you can drive a Classic Jaguar E Type standard in British Racing green, you'd be crazy to miss the opportunity. Attached are three photos from this box of light.
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 105 | | Review Date: December 20, 2010 | Not Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 3 |
| Pros: | Manual, super-easy, LED exposure lights, great lenses
| | Cons: | Wicked mirror-slap in slower speeds
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| Pros | Manual, super-easy, LED exposure lights, great lenses | | Cons | Wicked mirror-slap in slower speeds | | Rating | 3 | | Price (U.S. Dollars) | $100? | | Years Owned | Since 1979 |
I can recommend this camera: No
Value, Features, Performance & Size
Small, metal, manual camera.
Red LED exposure lights in the viewfinder.
+/- Ev compensation on left-top.
Good veiwfinder.
Camera Review
I really loved this camera, and it went all over South America with me on my walkabout. Small, easy-to-use, and I really prefer the red LED exposure lights over the black needle.
Perhaps the best feature of the ME are the manual lenses, which can be found easily and cheaply on local craig's list of eBay. Smooth as silk focussing.
I got out my old camera recently, and was really disappointed in the usage at slower speeds, which is why I can't recommend it. The mirror slap was easily transmitted to the hand. Maybe this vibration hits after the image, but I don't trust the ME below 1/60.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2010 Location: Eerbeek Posts: 1,857 | | Review Date: February 10, 2011 | Not Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | light, well-conceived, durable
| | Cons: | lack of manual controls
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| Pros | light, well-conceived, durable | | Cons | lack of manual controls | | Rating | 7 | | Price (U.S. Dollars) | ? | | Years Owned | 35 |
I can recommend this camera: No
Value, Features, Performance & Size
All automatic (apart from autofocus), but no choice to go manual.
Small. Too small for me but YMMV.
Camera Review
It probably depends on what you want. This camera was more or less forced on me, I wanted (at that time) the Canon Aex-1 or so. But I was a minor, and gave in, as the saleman and my father insisted this was a better camera for me.
The good thing is that in retrospect I liked Pentax. But I never liked the ME. In fact, I bought the KX as soon as I could (manual controls, good ergonomics, not so dependent on batteries). More recently, I moved on to the K-x and 645, 645N.
Ultimately, mine lost the flash shoe. I still have it in my drawer....
Commercially, the drive to sell small bodies may have been justified. personally, I've always preferred the K-series until the LX appeared.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2010 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 91 | | Review Date: May 2, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | Small, rugged, good auto metering in majority of situations
| | Cons: | Lack of manual modes, iso range only up to 1600
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| Pros | Small, rugged, good auto metering in majority of situations | | Cons | Lack of manual modes, iso range only up to 1600 | | Rating | 6 | | Price (U.S. Dollars) | 60 | | Years Owned | 1 |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
Automatic metering with Ev compensation +/- 2 stops, manual focus with self timer. Bright large viewfinder with shutter speed indicated by red light on the side. Small size (great for carrying in a day pack with a small lens)
Camera Review
I bought this camera used from a second hand shop, and found it like the other members of K series; durable, tough, easy to use, and aesthetically and ergonomically pleasant.
The auto metering produces good results and the exposure compensation is able to tweak the settings just enough when needed.
I would like to see the iso go up higher to 3200 or 6400 as I use film capable of these speeds. This inability is my biggest gripe, as I would ideally use this camera for low light night street shooting and feel 1600 is too slow for this.
For those beginning to usie film cameras the pentax ME is very user friendly, all you have to do us wind, focus and shoot.
I would recommend it with the warning that you will, in some circumstances, regret the lack of a manual mode. If you get this as a starting camera you won't learn as much as you would with a Kx, K1000 or similar. I have recently purchased a ME Super, which does have a manual function, and so I don't anticipate using the ME much in future.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: September, 2006 Location: near Perry OK USA Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 6, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | lightweight, easy to use aperture-preferred automatic | | Cons: | can't think of any | |
I purchased my ME at a camera show in 1982. It was the perfect fit for my SMC Pentax 40mm f/2.8 lens. I carried it in my bags as a back-up camera for over a decade. It still works. The smallest and most beautiful Pentax ever, a great point and shoot camera. It makes me wish the digital age hadn't come along. | | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2011 Posts: 99 | | Review Date: August 26, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small & compact, big view finder,ease of use | | Cons: | none | |
I've had this camera almost 3 years now and it is still going strong.
Size
The size of this camera is very small at the time of it's release in 1976 it was one of the worlds smallest SLRs avalible on the market at the time. It's very easy to slip into your pocket and carry around with you all the time.
Hardware
The seiko shutter was brand new in 1976, the all metal shutter is very good and durable compared to other cloth shutters that were being used in SLRs at the time, the only issue being that the shutter requires two LR44 batteries to fire. The shutter can fire manually at a speed of 1/100th SEC , with this being the flash synchronization speed.
The camera's main feature is the AUTO setting, this put's the camera into a aperture priority which means that the camera will choose the shutter speed whilst you select the aperture.
The center-weighted through the lens meter uses GPD cells for a fast light response, & the meter is very good and gets it right everytime.
The view finder contains a silver-coated pentaprism with a split image microprism focusing screen which alows for the sharpest focusing point. 92% of of picture taking area is visible which allows for good framing of photos, the shutter speeds are visible when looking through the viewfinder with LEDs to show what shutter speed the camera has selected to go with your chosen aperture.
My view on the camera
Overall the camera is light, weighing at 460g, i don't see the lack of manual shutter speed control a big problem. shooting with aperture piority is faster when compared to using fully manual, however in some cases fully manual controll would be nice (ME Super was later released which added this feature). With the standard Pentax-M SMC 50mm f/1.2 , f/1.4 , f/1.7 or the SMC Pentax-M 40mm f/2.8 , The combo setup is very nice no matter what lens you aqquire with the ME, i have the 50mm f/1.2 and it produces some really top photos with the ME.
With the M series cameras introducing the PK mount (pentax K mount, still used by Pentax Today) there are a great selection of Pentax SMCs to choose from and dont forget all those third party brands that manufactured lenses in the PK mount. you can even use modern lenses providing that a aperture ring is present!
Can i recomend this camera? Yes , Should you get this camera? Yes , Is this my favorite camera? Yes.
My ME in black
 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: June, 2012 Posts: 35
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 2, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $21.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Simple elegant easy to use | | Cons: | none | |
The ME gets a bad rep for having no manual control, all of which is true. However, this is a strength too. I have plenty of manual cameras. I have two KX's, a MX, a handfull of Spotmatics, 6x7, 4x5, 8x10.... If I need to shoot manual, not a problem but when I want to carry a camera everywhere I go, the ME is my first choice. It is small, elegant and quick. No buttons to adjust, switches to push. Just point, focus, (adjust shutter via aperture if needed) and shoot. The ME has a satisfying clank when the shutter fires. I have the ME super as well and I never or rarely use the manual mode. Another nice feature of these cameras is flash. Most, if not all my 35mm manual cameras do 60/sec, my 6x7 even less unless I use a leaf shutter lens. The ME and its cousin does 100 to 125/sec. Combined with a K 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.7 you got the ultimate compact little machine.
The Pentax ME (especially the black version) feels good in my hands, elegant to look at and a pleasure to shoot.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 167 | | Review Date: June 15, 2012 | Not Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Size, viewfinder, cost, k-mount | | Cons: | Can't use exposure comp with iso 1600 film, can't use 3200 speed film, NO WORKAROUNDS | |
This camera's best feature is its K-mount.
It was my first camera after a K1000, and I liked its size and enormous split-image viewfinder. However, as I got deeper and deeper into shooting, this camera began to let me down.
I like using auto mode with exposure compensation. But as soon as I loaded neopan 1600 and went off to shoot a friend's show, I found myself stuck. Whenever I needed to +1 the exposure comp, I couldn't. In fact, there is NO WORKAROUND for this, as the ISO does not go over 1600 either. Without a manual mode, you can't override what the camera is metering. And sometimes, +2 exposure comp is not enough. I shoot people against a bright window sometimes, and like their faces to be neutral and the whites to be blown totally out. Can't do it with an ME.
That about sums it up. Even if you never shoot 1600 speed film, and only shoot in aperture-priority mode, you should still get an ME Super. The ME has too few features, and no workarounds.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2008 Location: Japan Posts: 1,146
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 6, 2012 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, weight, viewfinder, ease of use | | Cons: | | |
My first Pentax manual focus camera.
I bought a black one second hand for 1050 yen.
As I've been using my K10 and K-5 in Av mode, the aperture exposure control of the ME was a good choice for me.
It ticked the boxes: size, weight, ease of use.
Basically, you choose the aperture on the lens and the camera chooses the shutter speed.
Turn the switch to "auto", focus, and shoot.
The ME does feature an exposure compensation dial to give you a bit more control.
It feels solid with a large viewfinder.
On a side note, you do pay for what you get, and mine was cheap.
Keep in mind, that a cheap, old camera will likely need a bit of work doing to it.
I have to get the light seals fixed on mine.
That said, if I find I am enjoying film again, I will probably buy another ME in silver, or maybe another black one, and spend a bit more cash on a model in better condition.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Warsaw Posts: 83 | | Review Date: February 3, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $12.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Compact; convenient Auto, bright finder, creamy soft shutter sound. | | Cons: | For the price and versatility - NONE. | |
I like the compactness, bright finder and split image and Auto mode allowing me for faster action following.
Makes a perfect backup camera - light and fast picture taking tool.
M mode and other non existent in ME features are good things, but if I had to keep it as my only analogue camera - it would be not a harm to my pictures at all.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2012 Posts: 834 | | Review Date: September 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Size, cost, simplicity | | Cons: | Manual shutter, age | |
I purchased mine sight unseen from ebay a few years ago, I paid $40 for it with an A series 50mm F2 lens attached.
Since then it's been my go-to film camera.
The size is a great benefit, it's small and light compared to modern SLRs and compared to most of the film SLRs after it.
Being aperture priority only, there is no manual shutter speed option, but if you're like me and find that you rarely use shutter priority it's a perfect choice.
The only bad points I have are related to it's age, being over 30 years old many of them are developing issues with sticky mirrors, degrading seals, and general wear. The benefit is that even with this wear they will often still work quite well (mine has worn mirror dampers, so occationally the mirror will not sit in the exact correct position, causing minor focus errors. I've only noticed this as an issue with infinity focus on lenses longer than 200mm though)
Overall, great camera, perfect for somebody starting off with film who doesn;t want to spend a huge amount.
Although, the ME Super is the better camera, the ME isn;t exactly a paperweight.
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2014 Posts: 7
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 22, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $55.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small, a joy to use, great sound, great BIG finder, simple & beautiful | | Cons: | | |
Really don't understand the review down the page, rating it "3 of 10", owning it since 1979 and "loving it".
Yes mirror-slap is feel-able (this is not a damped camera body) - but personally I get sharp shots at 1/30 with a 50mm lens like with any other camera if I hold still.
Anyways.
This is one of the best SLR's I know / have used.
This little thing has one of the biggest, brightest and best finders I've seen, ever.
It's optimized for fast glass, so focusing a lens like the 50mm f1.7 is nice as can be.
It's really small, and light, it's really straight-forward and beautiful made, it's reliable,
it has the best sound ever (besides some modern pro DSLR's maybe) - *TSCHAKKK*
Would most definitely recommend.
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