[Autonerd]

Hey all -- I've had an ME Super that's worked just fine for a couple of years -- but last week, after sitting on the shelf w/ no batteries for a couple-few months, I popped a couple of batteries into it, and while the meter is working, it sounds like it's only firing at a single speed, whether in automatic or manual mode. (Sounds the same as 1/125.) Bulb works. Is this a fatal error?

Aaron

[kypfer]

Probably got a touch of "sticky-itis" … not unknown with these cameras.
A strip, clean and rebuild seems to be fairly straightforward, if a little long winded, if you've got the correct tools and a bit of experience, but possibly not financially viable if you've got to pay someone else to do it
Good luck

[Jonathan Mac]

ME Supers are all old now and were not built well enough to last this long. The vast majority have mechanical or electronic faults.

I would recommend moving to a more reliable model such as a K or P series.

[Denver]

HI
I have 2 ME supers, still using them, and have been very reliable. I would suggest having a CLA done. They are great cameras and worth the effort.

[sfkazimierczak]

Hi,


I have had the same issue with my first ME Super. I've contacted several camera specialists and they all said that repair would be uneconomical. Since then I bought two more ME Supers from which one is in full working order (while looking like a dog) and the other has LED issues (while looking like a brand new camera). I guess what I'm trying to say is that ME Supers are getting old and it shows. I would only recommend self-repair if you are really experienced with your soldering iron and have proper tools i.e. JIS screwdrivers. There are instructions available online and some YT videos on how to dismantle the camera.


I suspect that the small metal connector that is soldered to the smaller circuit on the right broken off and now your ME Super shoots only in 1/125. If so you could just try to solder it back on, but it seems tricky at least to me. Good luck anyway!

[arnold]

The ME Super is not robust. Mine had the usual wind on issues, then after a while, I noticed that while the lightmeter was working well, it no longer controlled the shutter (as mentioned above). I personally try to avoid electronics wherever I can. Get a solid manual Pentax.

[Jonathan Mac]

The only robust M series camera is the MX.

[reh321]

ME Supers are all old now and were not built well enough to last this long. The vast majority have mechanical or electronic faults.

I would recommend moving to a more reliable model such as a K or P series.

I have a “Super Program” which I purchased in 1983, and used as my primary camera for over 12 years, and still use occasionally. I used it with a shutter speed of 1/500 this past week. I haven’t finished the roll yet, but sounded fine to me. I don’t see any reason to purchase a newer camera. I’m not convinced any other film camera would be more reliable right now, if this one got CLA.

added:
Of course, the purpose of Pentax’s “Film Project” is to manufacture cameras using modern parts, and with warranties. We don’t know whether they will produce 35mm cameras, nor how long we’ll have to wait, but waiting might be another slternative.