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dugrant153 · 05-30-2014, 01:34 PM

hey folks,
So I have a silver Super Program and have started to really like it. However, I've started to notice that the finish is rusting from within the paint (I'm noticing specks of paints turning from silver to brown?)... Mechanically, this camera is sound.
I'm afraid that if I don't do something, within a few months, I'll have a brown camera...

Curious if any suggestions? Has anyone seen this happen to their SLRs before?

stevebrot · 05-30-2014, 01:58 PM

That is strange. I am curious to see the final outcome since I have long suspected that the top cover on my Super Program is painted plastic rather than metal.

Back to your problem...The top and bottom covers on cameras are generally made out of a non-corroding material. Some form of brass is common as is the generic "white metal" used in many diecast products. What I suspect is that the finish on your camera is flaking off the underlying metal or plastic. Is this happening where the straps rub against the body by any chance?

Steve

hks_kansei · 05-30-2014, 04:26 PM

I agree with Steve.

Most Pentaxes I've seen have had a brass base metal, which only ever goes yellowish.

Even other cameras I own are all similar stuff, my Praktica is some sort of brass like the Pentaxes, and the Zorki is some kind of non-corroding casting (either white metal as Steve suggested, or perhaps aluminium? I suspect probably some white metal by the weight)

If something else is rusting, and resting against the camera, then the rust may be staining the surface.
Is it in an everready case? maybe the fittings on the case are rusting?

dugrant153 · 05-31-2014, 10:14 PM

Probably best if I post an image. I'll take a few and report. Function of the camera is fine... guess I just want to know if I should be repainting it or something (which would be kind of a neat project!)

SpartanD63 · 06-01-2014, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

That is strange. I am curious to see the final outcome since I have long suspected that the top cover on my Super Program is painted plastic rather than metal.

Back to your problem...The top and bottom covers on cameras are generally made out of a non-corroding material. Some form of brass is common as is the generic "white metal" used in many diecast products. What I suspect is that the finish on your camera is flaking off the underlying metal or plastic. Is this happening where the straps rub against the body by any chance?

Steve

I get that suspicion too... It doesn't ever feel cold enough to be all metal, if that makes sense. (in the same cold room, the Super Program top plate never feels as cold as the Spotmatic, which I KNOW to be brass.) But I haven't had the guts to try sandpaper or anything drastic to see.

Anyway... I think that the flaking metal is the most likely cause.

stevebrot · 06-01-2014, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by SpartanD63

I get that suspicion too... It doesn't ever feel cold enough to be all metal, if that makes sense. (in the same cold room, the Super Program top plate never feels as cold as the Spotmatic, which I KNOW to be brass.)

My observations as well, that and the top cover details simply look like a plastic casting. The bottom plate, however, is metal.

Steve

dugrant153 · 06-01-2014, 08:58 PM

Photographs say it all.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

stevebrot · 06-01-2014, 10:23 PM

Originally posted by dugrant153

Photographs say it all.

I would say that your biggest problem is that your Super Program is actually a Program Plus

Beyond that, it looks like it has been exposed to a corrosive substance at some point that has compromised the finish. The screw head on the first photo looks like it had a patina at come point that is no longer there.

Steve

dugrant153 · 06-02-2014, 02:24 PM

LOL my bad. I was thinking Super Program but yes, it's a Program Plus.

stevebrot · 06-02-2014, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by dugrant153

LOL my bad. I was thinking Super Program but yes, it's a Program Plus.

I get them mixed up too and have more than once posted that I have a Program Plus rather than a Super Program.

Steve

dugrant153 · 06-02-2014, 10:42 PM

Anyways, it looks like this will totally make my Pentax Super Program super retro with it's classy fading look?

stevebrot · 06-03-2014, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by dugrant153

Anyways, it looks like this will totally make my Pentax Super Program super retro with it's classy fading look?

Special edition, Post-Apocalyptic Program Plus

Also available with "Zombie Gray" splotched leatherette.

Steve

05-30-2014, 01:34 PM	#1
dugrant153 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,059	Pentax Super Program - rusting from the inside? hey folks, So I have a silver Super Program and have started to really like it. However, I've started to notice that the finish is rusting from within the paint (I'm noticing specks of paints turning from silver to brown?)... Mechanically, this camera is sound. I'm afraid that if I don't do something, within a few months, I'll have a brown camera... Curious if any suggestions? Has anyone seen this happen to their SLRs before?

06-01-2014, 10:23 PM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by dugrant153 Photographs say it all. I would say that your biggest problem is that your Super Program is actually a Program Plus Beyond that, it looks like it has been exposed to a corrosive substance at some point that has compromised the finish. The screw head on the first photo looks like it had a patina at come point that is no longer there. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 06-01-2014 at 10:39 PM.

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05-30-2014, 01:58 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	That is strange. I am curious to see the final outcome since I have long suspected that the top cover on my Super Program is painted plastic rather than metal. Back to your problem...The top and bottom covers on cameras are generally made out of a non-corroding material. Some form of brass is common as is the generic "white metal" used in many diecast products. What I suspect is that the finish on your camera is flaking off the underlying metal or plastic. Is this happening where the straps rub against the body by any chance? Steve

05-30-2014, 04:26 PM	#3
hks_kansei Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 834	I agree with Steve. Most Pentaxes I've seen have had a brass base metal, which only ever goes yellowish. Even other cameras I own are all similar stuff, my Praktica is some sort of brass like the Pentaxes, and the Zorki is some kind of non-corroding casting (either white metal as Steve suggested, or perhaps aluminium? I suspect probably some white metal by the weight) If something else is rusting, and resting against the camera, then the rust may be staining the surface. Is it in an everready case? maybe the fittings on the case are rusting?

05-31-2014, 10:14 PM	#4
dugrant153 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,059 Original Poster	Probably best if I post an image. I'll take a few and report. Function of the camera is fine... guess I just want to know if I should be repainting it or something (which would be kind of a neat project!)

06-01-2014, 09:50 AM	#5
SpartanD63 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 351	Originally posted by stevebrot That is strange. I am curious to see the final outcome since I have long suspected that the top cover on my Super Program is painted plastic rather than metal. Back to your problem...The top and bottom covers on cameras are generally made out of a non-corroding material. Some form of brass is common as is the generic "white metal" used in many diecast products. What I suspect is that the finish on your camera is flaking off the underlying metal or plastic. Is this happening where the straps rub against the body by any chance? Steve I get that suspicion too... It doesn't ever feel cold enough to be all metal, if that makes sense. (in the same cold room, the Super Program top plate never feels as cold as the Spotmatic, which I KNOW to be brass.) But I haven't had the guts to try sandpaper or anything drastic to see. Anyway... I think that the flaking metal is the most likely cause.

06-01-2014, 10:18 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by SpartanD63 I get that suspicion too... It doesn't ever feel cold enough to be all metal, if that makes sense. (in the same cold room, the Super Program top plate never feels as cold as the Spotmatic, which I KNOW to be brass.) My observations as well, that and the top cover details simply look like a plastic casting. The bottom plate, however, is metal. Steve

06-02-2014, 02:24 PM	#9
dugrant153 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,059 Original Poster	LOL my bad. I was thinking Super Program but yes, it's a Program Plus.

06-02-2014, 05:20 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by dugrant153 LOL my bad. I was thinking Super Program but yes, it's a Program Plus. I get them mixed up too and have more than once posted that I have a Program Plus rather than a Super Program. Steve

06-02-2014, 10:42 PM	#11
dugrant153 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,059 Original Poster	Anyways, it looks like this will totally make my Pentax Super Program super retro with it's classy fading look?

06-03-2014, 07:08 AM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by dugrant153 Anyways, it looks like this will totally make my Pentax Super Program super retro with it's classy fading look? Special edition, Post-Apocalyptic Program Plus Also available with "Zombie Gray" splotched leatherette. Steve

Pentax Super Program - rusting from the inside?

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