Issues with ME Super

bikehead90 · 01-26-2019, 06:31 PM

I recently got a lens/combo off eBay of a SMC A 35-105mm/ME Super. The only reason I considered this auction, is for the lens, and I planned on selling the camera once I got it. I put some fresh batteries in the ME Super, and the electronics work, but the shutter release doesn't actuate the shutter, and the film advance lever doesn't advance the film (it barely moves). Am I doing something wrong? Is there something I should be doing? I'd prefer to not have to get it CLA'd, because that'd cost more than it's worth. Thanks in advance.

**kiwi_jono** · 01-26-2019, 07:37 PM

The advance won't move much if the shutter has not fired (as the films already "in position").

Not sure, why its not firing. I'm assuming the select lever is not on "L" (locked)?

bikehead90 · 01-26-2019, 08:50 PM

Yeah. I've tried depressing the shutter release in every one of the positions on the knob, including "L" even though it's locked.

There seems to be a little piece of metal in front of the mirror. I've compared it with my mom's normal ME and my K1000, but that piece of metal isn't there. It looks like it's blocking the mirror from swinging upwards.

I've also used an ME winder on it, and when I press the shutter release on the winder, the shutter release on the body depresses, and it sounds like the shutter opens, but the mirror doesn't swing upwards.

Not a Number · 01-26-2019, 09:41 PM

Sell it for parts.

bikehead90 · 01-26-2019, 09:53 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Sell it for parts.

That's what I'm thinking I'll have to do. Any idea how much I could (realistically) get for a parts machine?

pschlute · 01-27-2019, 12:43 AM

Originally posted by bikehead90

There seems to be a little piece of metal in front of the mirror.

Focus screen holder ?

**joelbolden** · 01-27-2019, 09:05 AM

I have the same problem with a Minolta X-370 that I bought off Ebay. Turns out it's a bad capacitor in my case. Garry's camera repair charges a flat $53 to fix the problem and do a complete CLA. Since the seller refunded my money, I think I'll do that. The camera looks to be almost mint except for that problem. I can always sell a totally refurbished camera for more than the combined price of camera/repair.

**limestonecowboy** · 01-27-2019, 10:32 AM

You Tube

bikehead90 · 01-27-2019, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

Focus screen holder ?

No, it looks like a little tab in the lower right that sticks out preventing the mirror from flapping (technical word, I know).

---------- Post added 01-27-19 at 11:10 AM ----------

Originally posted by limestonecowboy

Fix Old Cameras: Pentax ME-Super Winding Issues - YouTube

Holy [expletive]! I think that video might be the answer. I'll see if I can't get it working again. Thanks!

**limestonecowboy** · 01-27-2019, 04:00 PM

Must be a Father Ted character doing the voiceover for that one

Nick Crumpler · 02-04-2019, 12:06 AM

Contact the seller on Ebay and demand a refund. They probably will not refuse because they know you can proceed and get a refund through Ebay. If a seller sells broken gear and does not state it, Ebay protects you as long as you have paid through paypal.

bikehead90 · 02-04-2019, 05:58 AM

Originally posted by Nick Crumpler

Contact the seller on Ebay and demand a refund. They probably will not refuse because they know you can proceed and get a refund through Ebay. If a seller sells broken gear and does not state it, Ebay protects you as long as you have paid through paypal.

Under normal circumstances I would, but the lens was what I was after. The camera was an afterthought.

01-26-2019, 06:31 PM	#1
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193	Issues with ME Super I recently got a lens/combo off eBay of a SMC A 35-105mm/ME Super. The only reason I considered this auction, is for the lens, and I planned on selling the camera once I got it. I put some fresh batteries in the ME Super, and the electronics work, but the shutter release doesn't actuate the shutter, and the film advance lever doesn't advance the film (it barely moves). Am I doing something wrong? Is there something I should be doing? I'd prefer to not have to get it CLA'd, because that'd cost more than it's worth. Thanks in advance.

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01-26-2019, 07:37 PM	#2
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	The advance won't move much if the shutter has not fired (as the films already "in position"). Not sure, why its not firing. I'm assuming the select lever is not on "L" (locked)?

01-26-2019, 08:50 PM	#3
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Yeah. I've tried depressing the shutter release in every one of the positions on the knob, including "L" even though it's locked. There seems to be a little piece of metal in front of the mirror. I've compared it with my mom's normal ME and my K1000, but that piece of metal isn't there. It looks like it's blocking the mirror from swinging upwards. I've also used an ME winder on it, and when I press the shutter release on the winder, the shutter release on the body depresses, and it sounds like the shutter opens, but the mirror doesn't swing upwards.

01-26-2019, 09:41 PM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Sell it for parts.

01-26-2019, 09:53 PM	#5
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number Sell it for parts. That's what I'm thinking I'll have to do. Any idea how much I could (realistically) get for a parts machine?

01-27-2019, 12:43 AM	#6
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,223	Originally posted by bikehead90 There seems to be a little piece of metal in front of the mirror. Focus screen holder ?

01-27-2019, 09:05 AM	#7
joelbolden Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Stormstown, Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 605	I have the same problem with a Minolta X-370 that I bought off Ebay. Turns out it's a bad capacitor in my case. Garry's camera repair charges a flat $53 to fix the problem and do a complete CLA. Since the seller refunded my money, I think I'll do that. The camera looks to be almost mint except for that problem. I can always sell a totally refurbished camera for more than the combined price of camera/repair.

01-27-2019, 11:03 AM	#9
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by pschlute Focus screen holder ? No, it looks like a little tab in the lower right that sticks out preventing the mirror from flapping (technical word, I know). ---------- Post added 01-27-19 at 11:10 AM ---------- Originally posted by limestonecowboy Fix Old Cameras: Pentax ME-Super Winding Issues - YouTube Holy [expletive]! I think that video might be the answer. I'll see if I can't get it working again. Thanks!

01-27-2019, 04:00 PM	#10
limestonecowboy Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Photos: Albums Posts: 151	Must be a Father Ted character doing the voiceover for that one

02-04-2019, 12:06 AM	#11
Nick Crumpler New Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 15	Contact the seller on Ebay and demand a refund. They probably will not refuse because they know you can proceed and get a refund through Ebay. If a seller sells broken gear and does not state it, Ebay protects you as long as you have paid through paypal.

02-04-2019, 05:58 AM	#12
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nick Crumpler Contact the seller on Ebay and demand a refund. They probably will not refuse because they know you can proceed and get a refund through Ebay. If a seller sells broken gear and does not state it, Ebay protects you as long as you have paid through paypal. Under normal circumstances I would, but the lens was what I was after. The camera was an afterthought.