I finished a roll yesterday using my Winder ME II. Below are my configuration and observations:
Configuration:- Winder ME II in EX+ condition with fresh batteries
- Pentax Super Program camera in EX+ condition*
- Auto/125X lever in "Auto" position**
- Mixture of C (continuous) and S (single) shooting
- Camera operated in Program mode
Observations:- 2 fps seems to be a bit of an exaggeration. I found it easier to shoot in "S" mode than to wait on "C".
- The Super Program/Winder ME II combo is heavy and has similar heft to my K-3 with same lens mounted
- End-of-roll behavior was interesting. The manual indicates that there will be a change in winder sound at end-of-roll, though more accurately, the change is that there is no sound from the camera, just the winder. Neither mirror nor shutter mechanism cycles after end-of-roll. The winder actuates, but that is it.
- Film rewind can be a bit of an adventure. The interlock between wind mechanism and rewind button is not very robust. As a result, I had to continuously depress the rewind button in order to fully rewind the film.
Not having one of the bodies having a manual shutter speed, I was unable to test battery-free body operation with the winder attached. The same is true for testing the mechanical shutter speed (1/100s or 1/125s) found on compatible M-series bodies.
Steve
* The Winder ME II was released for the ME Super, but is also fully compatible the Super Program (Super A), Program Plus (Program A), ME, ME F, and MV-1.
** The ME Super, ME, ME F, and MV-1 have the mode dial option of a mechanical shutter speed for X sync and battery-free operation. The manuals for both cameras and winder are explicit that the Auto/125X lever should be in the "125X" position when that shutter speed is chosen. The manual for the Super Program (my camera) makes a point that the "Auto" position should always be used with that camera.