Pentax ME Super

joedonohoe22 · 05-30-2021, 09:40 AM

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Pentax ME Super, but the take-up spool isn't functioning at all. Having done some research it appears this is a common problem with this particular model and is costly to repair. My question is whether I should opt for a Pentax MX instead? I do enjoy shooting aperture priority, but using something reliable takes precedence. Have MX owners experienced similar mechanical problems to the ME Super?

Thanks

Last edited by joedonohoe22; 05-30-2021 at 09:48 AM.

**mattt** · 05-30-2021, 09:45 AM

Easy answer... find another ME Super - they can be had cheap as chips...

MX seem to have a premium price.

Aaron28 · 05-30-2021, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by joedonohoe22

but the take-up spool isn't functioning at all.

maybe the rewind button is not disengaging......does the sprocket not turn as well? does the shutter cock?

and +1 on another MES......the mx does carry a price tag

joedonohoe22 · 05-31-2021, 04:03 AM

Originally posted by Aaron28

maybe the rewind button is not disengaging......does the sprocket not turn as well? does the shutter cock?

The winder advance works as it should, but the take-up spool and sprocket doesn't turn at all. The film release button on the base works fine too.

**TwoUptons** · 05-31-2021, 04:34 AM

I've had film transport issues on a MX before (though I understand the underlying reason and how to fix it is different).
If you like aperture-priority, definitely try another ME Super, or maybe even a Super Program/Super A
Or some of the newer P-series cameras (there are some feature differences there, though)
All of those are usually extremely inexpensive. Nice MX bodies often carry a premium.

-Eric

Medve · 06-01-2021, 01:38 AM

I would recommend a Pentax Super A. According to an official Pentax repair Service Partner in Germany (kamerazeit.de) has the Pentax Super A a much longer espected lifte time then the Me Super. I am very satisfied with my own Super A.

joedonohoe22 · 06-01-2021, 02:52 AM

Thanks all for chiming in. I bought another ME Super which has been refurbished. If I experience any further mechanical failures, I'll look into the Super A!

**arnold** · 06-02-2021, 12:05 AM

Originally posted by joedonohoe22

Thanks all for chiming in. I bought another ME Super which has been refurbished. If I experience any further mechanical failures, I'll look into the Super A!

I have looked into the works of the ME Super from below and they are rather flimsy. Stamped tin bends and the result is winder problems. I gave up on my ME Super. My ME seems more reliable, and MY several (5) MXs are built to a much better standard. Get an MX or KX if you want a bigger camera.

joedonohoe22 · 06-03-2021, 04:25 AM

Interesting that the ME seems to be a more reliable model than the ME Super. You'd think they were more or less the same, no?

**gofour3** · 06-03-2021, 04:36 AM

Originally posted by joedonohoe22

Interesting that the ME seems to be a more reliable model than the ME Super. You'd think they were more or less the same, no?

The ME came out in 1976 when more metal was used in the construction. The ME Super came out in 1980, things changed....

Phil.

titrisol · 06-03-2021, 06:25 AM

The ME also had the Asahi brand; which the MEsuper didn't (just a curiosity)

Originally posted by gofour3

The ME came out in 1976 when more metal was used in the construction. The ME Super came out in 1980, things changed....

Phil.

05-30-2021, 09:40 AM	#1
joedonohoe22 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: London Posts: 28	Pentax ME Super Hi all, I recently purchased a Pentax ME Super, but the take-up spool isn't functioning at all. Having done some research it appears this is a common problem with this particular model and is costly to repair. My question is whether I should opt for a Pentax MX instead? I do enjoy shooting aperture priority, but using something reliable takes precedence. Have MX owners experienced similar mechanical problems to the ME Super? Thanks Last edited by joedonohoe22; 05-30-2021 at 09:48 AM.

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05-30-2021, 09:45 AM	#2
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	Easy answer... find another ME Super - they can be had cheap as chips... MX seem to have a premium price.

05-30-2021, 10:35 AM	#3
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	Originally posted by joedonohoe22 but the take-up spool isn't functioning at all. maybe the rewind button is not disengaging......does the sprocket not turn as well? does the shutter cock? and +1 on another MES......the mx does carry a price tag

05-31-2021, 04:03 AM	#4
joedonohoe22 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: London Posts: 28 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aaron28 maybe the rewind button is not disengaging......does the sprocket not turn as well? does the shutter cock? The winder advance works as it should, but the take-up spool and sprocket doesn't turn at all. The film release button on the base works fine too.

05-31-2021, 04:34 AM	#5
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,225	I've had film transport issues on a MX before (though I understand the underlying reason and how to fix it is different). If you like aperture-priority, definitely try another ME Super, or maybe even a Super Program/Super A Or some of the newer P-series cameras (there are some feature differences there, though) All of those are usually extremely inexpensive. Nice MX bodies often carry a premium. -Eric

06-01-2021, 01:38 AM	#6
Medve New Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Karben Posts: 7	I would recommend a Pentax Super A. According to an official Pentax repair Service Partner in Germany (kamerazeit.de) has the Pentax Super A a much longer espected lifte time then the Me Super. I am very satisfied with my own Super A.

06-01-2021, 02:52 AM	#7
joedonohoe22 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: London Posts: 28 Original Poster	Thanks all for chiming in. I bought another ME Super which has been refurbished. If I experience any further mechanical failures, I'll look into the Super A!

06-02-2021, 12:05 AM	#8
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	Originally posted by joedonohoe22 Thanks all for chiming in. I bought another ME Super which has been refurbished. If I experience any further mechanical failures, I'll look into the Super A! I have looked into the works of the ME Super from below and they are rather flimsy. Stamped tin bends and the result is winder problems. I gave up on my ME Super. My ME seems more reliable, and MY several (5) MXs are built to a much better standard. Get an MX or KX if you want a bigger camera.

06-03-2021, 04:25 AM	#9
joedonohoe22 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: London Posts: 28 Original Poster	Interesting that the ME seems to be a more reliable model than the ME Super. You'd think they were more or less the same, no?

06-03-2021, 04:36 AM	#10
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	Originally posted by joedonohoe22 Interesting that the ME seems to be a more reliable model than the ME Super. You'd think they were more or less the same, no? The ME came out in 1976 when more metal was used in the construction. The ME Super came out in 1980, things changed.... Phil.

06-03-2021, 06:25 AM	#11
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	The ME also had the Asahi brand; which the MEsuper didn't (just a curiosity) Originally posted by gofour3 The ME came out in 1976 when more metal was used in the construction. The ME Super came out in 1980, things changed.... Phil.