How do you know when to refurb an ME?

Johnct · 09-19-2010, 02:04 PM

Hi,
I have owned my Pentax ME and pentax P30 cameras for some years now and have decided to rediscover the delights of film once again. I''m really excited about the prospect. I've also bought a Pentax ME Super.

Silly question I suppose, but how do I know what to check with all this talk of new bumpers, light seals etc. I just don't know how to go about it. Any advice?

Thanks

John

PGillin · 09-19-2010, 02:12 PM

I'm by no means an expert, and I'm a bit new to all this myself, but generally you can visually inspect the seals and bumper foam. If it isn't crumbly or gooey, you should be okay. Far harder to check, however, is meter calibration and shutter accuracy. My advice is to look at all the things you can easily see, i.e., inside the film compartment, battery compartment, around the mirror, and look for any corrosion or poor condition. If everything looks good, shoot a roll or two. If your rolls look good, odds are the meter and shutter are working fine. If you have exposure problems, your camera may need a Cleaning and Adjustment.
Still, the ME is a newer camera (at least compared to my spotmatic) and if it has any service history at all it's likely to be fine.
Basically, look it over, and then do a little shooting.

womble · 09-19-2010, 02:23 PM - **1 Like**

Open the back and run your finger along the edges of the door. If you get black goo all over your finger the seals need changing!

K.

Johnct · 09-20-2010, 01:24 PM

Good advice thanks. As films come to the end I'll do the checks.

Any recommendations for who to contact re cleaning and adjustment if required?

John

PGillin · 09-20-2010, 03:46 PM

I'd suggest (and I know about half the forum would too) Erick Hendrickson. Just look up Pentaxs.com and you should find it.
He does good, solid work. I just got my spotmatic back, and it's the cleanest it's been, probably since it left the factory in Japan 50 years ago.

womble · 09-21-2010, 12:29 AM

In the UK I would recommend Harrow Technical. I have had excellent service from him over the last few years. K.

Johnct · 09-21-2010, 03:18 PM

Thanks, I take it Erick is stateside. (Thanks PGillin) and Harrow Technical is probaly closer! (Thanks Womble).

Just loving these cameras. It must be a tactile thing...

Johnct

PGillin · 09-21-2010, 03:27 PM

Yes, Eric is stateside. I didn't realize you were across the pond. Hopefully you can still get a good service, if you need it.

Johnct · 09-21-2010, 03:30 PM

Thanks and pleased to be stateside, was in Daytona FL just last month.

Johnct

michael markey · 10-23-2010, 03:14 PM

Originally posted by womble

In the UK I would recommend Harrow Technical. I have had excellent service from him over the last few years. K.

Well ,I`ve only been on this forum a few hours and have already learned something useful ...thankyou.
Michael

Johnct · 10-24-2010, 08:40 AM

My ME and ME Super are currently with Harrow Technical for a complete service inc. bumpers seals, calibration etc. I should have them both back in the next few days. I'll let you know what they're like.

Johnct

Wombat · 10-29-2010, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by michael markey

Well ,I`ve only been on this forum a few hours and have already learned something useful ...thankyou.
Michael

Welcome to the forum, mate. Looking forward to your contributions when you've got comfortable.

michael markey · 10-30-2010, 04:57 AM

Thanks Wombat.

violini · 10-31-2010, 10:10 AM

There is an ebay seller by the name "interslice" who has pre-cut seals for most of the cameras.

09-19-2010, 02:04 PM	#1
Johnct Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 26	How do you know when to refurb an ME? Hi, I have owned my Pentax ME and pentax P30 cameras for some years now and have decided to rediscover the delights of film once again. I''m really excited about the prospect. I've also bought a Pentax ME Super. Silly question I suppose, but how do I know what to check with all this talk of new bumpers, light seals etc. I just don't know how to go about it. Any advice? Thanks John

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09-19-2010, 02:12 PM	#2
PGillin Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southern Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 343	I'm by no means an expert, and I'm a bit new to all this myself, but generally you can visually inspect the seals and bumper foam. If it isn't crumbly or gooey, you should be okay. Far harder to check, however, is meter calibration and shutter accuracy. My advice is to look at all the things you can easily see, i.e., inside the film compartment, battery compartment, around the mirror, and look for any corrosion or poor condition. If everything looks good, shoot a roll or two. If your rolls look good, odds are the meter and shutter are working fine. If you have exposure problems, your camera may need a Cleaning and Adjustment. Still, the ME is a newer camera (at least compared to my spotmatic) and if it has any service history at all it's likely to be fine. Basically, look it over, and then do a little shooting.

09-19-2010, 02:23 PM - 1 Like	#3
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	Open the back and run your finger along the edges of the door. If you get black goo all over your finger the seals need changing! K.

09-20-2010, 01:24 PM	#4
Johnct Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 26 Original Poster	Good advice thanks. As films come to the end I'll do the checks. Any recommendations for who to contact re cleaning and adjustment if required? John

09-20-2010, 03:46 PM	#5
PGillin Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southern Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 343	I'd suggest (and I know about half the forum would too) Erick Hendrickson. Just look up Pentaxs.com and you should find it. He does good, solid work. I just got my spotmatic back, and it's the cleanest it's been, probably since it left the factory in Japan 50 years ago.

09-21-2010, 12:29 AM	#6
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	In the UK I would recommend Harrow Technical. I have had excellent service from him over the last few years. K.

09-21-2010, 03:18 PM	#7
Johnct Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 26 Original Poster	Thanks, I take it Erick is stateside. (Thanks PGillin) and Harrow Technical is probaly closer! (Thanks Womble). Just loving these cameras. It must be a tactile thing... Johnct

09-21-2010, 03:27 PM	#8
PGillin Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southern Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 343	Yes, Eric is stateside. I didn't realize you were across the pond. Hopefully you can still get a good service, if you need it.

09-21-2010, 03:30 PM	#9
Johnct Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 26 Original Poster	Thanks and pleased to be stateside, was in Daytona FL just last month. Johnct

10-23-2010, 03:14 PM	#10
michael markey Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Lancashire Posts: 136	Originally posted by womble In the UK I would recommend Harrow Technical. I have had excellent service from him over the last few years. K. Well ,I`ve only been on this forum a few hours and have already learned something useful ...thankyou. Michael

10-24-2010, 08:40 AM	#11
Johnct Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 26 Original Poster	My ME and ME Super are currently with Harrow Technical for a complete service inc. bumpers seals, calibration etc. I should have them both back in the next few days. I'll let you know what they're like. Johnct

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10-29-2010, 03:59 PM	#12
Wombat Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 901	Originally posted by michael markey Well ,I`ve only been on this forum a few hours and have already learned something useful ...thankyou. Michael Welcome to the forum, mate. Looking forward to your contributions when you've got comfortable.

10-30-2010, 04:57 AM	#13
michael markey Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Lancashire Posts: 136	Thanks Wombat.

10-31-2010, 10:10 AM	#14
violini Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Winnipeg MB Photos: Gallery Posts: 350	There is an ebay seller by the name "interslice" who has pre-cut seals for most of the cameras.