Pentax ME Super underexposure issue

noahwc · 01-24-2021, 11:36 PM

Hey everyone, I've been having some issues with me ME Super underexposing and was hoping someone here might be able to provide some insight.

Basically every shot on my last two rolls has been under exposed by a stop or more. Timing the 4s, 2s, and 1s shutter speeds with a stopwatch seems to show they are all off by about a stop (e.g. 2s is actually more like 1.1s in reality). I was able to get the shutter speeds and meter tested by a local camera shop and they said they're both out by over a stop. I've tried a new set of batteries and that didn't seem to help. I'm assuming the electronics in the camera are just on their way out but I'm still hoping there might be and easy fix short of overhauling the camera.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Vendee · 01-25-2021, 01:29 AM - **1 Like**

Sometimes with the ME Super, the ISO selector and the exposure compensation selector can become unresponsive, leading to incorrect exposure. Try giving them a good exercising and try again. Failing that the exposure meter can be adjusted during a good CLA. My own ME Super used to underexpose and a recent CLA has meant that is is spot on again and a joy to use. I'm not sure how much it will cost in your currency but mine was 100 uk pounds. Its not so expensive if you plan on keeping the camera for a long time.

noahwc · 01-26-2021, 12:22 AM

First off, thank you for the reply! I'll try working on the ISO and exposure compensation selector to see if that gives me some better meter readings. I'm assuming that even even if the metering issue did turn out to be the dial being unresponsive then issue with the shutter speeds being off would remain as another separate issue? Good to know the meter can be adjusted during a CLA, I think that may be on the horizon if this quick fix doesn't work out. Thanks again for your help.

womble · 01-26-2021, 10:29 AM - **1 Like**

If it hasn't had one previously then a CLA is probably the way to go. It is a 35 year old camera, and a bit of TLC will probably do it the world of good.

I found that ME Supers and my ME-F all develop a minor metering issues if I haven't used them for a while. Twisting the exposure compensation dial back and forth a few times normally solves the issue. It normally manifests itself in the exposure reading not settling at one reading, but jumping around a bit.

Best wishes, Kris.

Paul Pheiffer · 01-28-2021, 03:01 AM - **1 Like**

Quite some time ago I had a similar problem on my ME Super that progressively got worse and eventually I took it in for a technician to see what the problem was. He fixed it all right and explained to me that the problem lies with the shutter curtains and/or mechanism - with age they deteriorate and then start giving erroneous timing.

noahwc · 01-28-2021, 11:54 PM

Thanks for the replies! Sounds like a CLA should definitely be in the camera's future. The camera also has an issue where the odd time the shutter doesn't reset after winding so it'd be nice to have that fixed too. Unfortunately working on the exposure compensation dial didn't yield any improvement. If anyone has a recommendation for where to have the CLA done that'd be awesome, I'm in western Canada.

Dego · 10-08-2021, 01:29 AM

Is this the issue also for the ME and MG?

grimnicholas · 05-14-2022, 02:23 AM

Reviving the thread, did you ever resolve, OP?
I wonder if it's the same issue as my ME will shoot fine for a while then hugely underexpose

womble · 05-14-2022, 10:12 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by grimnicholas

Reviving the thread, did you ever resolve, OP?
I wonder if it's the same issue as my ME will shoot fine for a while then hugely underexpose

Any of the M series that have the ISO etc on the ring around the re-wind knob can suffer from the oxidation problem. Just twisting it back and forth for a while can clear it, especially for cameras that have been on the shelf for a while.

K.

noahwc · 05-18-2022, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by grimnicholas

Reviving the thread, did you ever resolve, OP?
I wonder if it's the same issue as my ME will shoot fine for a while then hugely underexpose

Never did end up getting it fixed. I ended up getting a good deal on a K1000 which should be easier to maintain in the long run given its all mechanical workings. I would like to eventually fix the ME Super eventually though, perhaps make a project out of it. I did try working the ISO dial a bit to clear up any potential oxidization but it didn't help, unfortunately. Definitely worth a try though for anyone encountering this issue!

01-24-2021, 11:36 PM	#1
noahwc New Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: BC Posts: 11	Pentax ME Super underexposure issue Hey everyone, I've been having some issues with me ME Super underexposing and was hoping someone here might be able to provide some insight. Basically every shot on my last two rolls has been under exposed by a stop or more. Timing the 4s, 2s, and 1s shutter speeds with a stopwatch seems to show they are all off by about a stop (e.g. 2s is actually more like 1.1s in reality). I was able to get the shutter speeds and meter tested by a local camera shop and they said they're both out by over a stop. I've tried a new set of batteries and that didn't seem to help. I'm assuming the electronics in the camera are just on their way out but I'm still hoping there might be and easy fix short of overhauling the camera. Thanks in advance for any help!

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01-25-2021, 01:29 AM - 1 Like	#2
Vendee Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 1,134	Sometimes with the ME Super, the ISO selector and the exposure compensation selector can become unresponsive, leading to incorrect exposure. Try giving them a good exercising and try again. Failing that the exposure meter can be adjusted during a good CLA. My own ME Super used to underexpose and a recent CLA has meant that is is spot on again and a joy to use. I'm not sure how much it will cost in your currency but mine was 100 uk pounds. Its not so expensive if you plan on keeping the camera for a long time.

01-26-2021, 12:22 AM	#3
noahwc New Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: BC Posts: 11 Original Poster	First off, thank you for the reply! I'll try working on the ISO and exposure compensation selector to see if that gives me some better meter readings. I'm assuming that even even if the metering issue did turn out to be the dial being unresponsive then issue with the shutter speeds being off would remain as another separate issue? Good to know the meter can be adjusted during a CLA, I think that may be on the horizon if this quick fix doesn't work out. Thanks again for your help.

01-26-2021, 10:29 AM - 1 Like	#4
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	If it hasn't had one previously then a CLA is probably the way to go. It is a 35 year old camera, and a bit of TLC will probably do it the world of good. I found that ME Supers and my ME-F all develop a minor metering issues if I haven't used them for a while. Twisting the exposure compensation dial back and forth a few times normally solves the issue. It normally manifests itself in the exposure reading not settling at one reading, but jumping around a bit. Best wishes, Kris.

01-28-2021, 03:01 AM - 1 Like	#5
Paul Pheiffer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bushveld, Ellisras - South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 202	Quite some time ago I had a similar problem on my ME Super that progressively got worse and eventually I took it in for a technician to see what the problem was. He fixed it all right and explained to me that the problem lies with the shutter curtains and/or mechanism - with age they deteriorate and then start giving erroneous timing.

01-28-2021, 11:54 PM	#6
noahwc New Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: BC Posts: 11 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies! Sounds like a CLA should definitely be in the camera's future. The camera also has an issue where the odd time the shutter doesn't reset after winding so it'd be nice to have that fixed too. Unfortunately working on the exposure compensation dial didn't yield any improvement. If anyone has a recommendation for where to have the CLA done that'd be awesome, I'm in western Canada.

10-08-2021, 01:29 AM	#7
Dego New Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 3	Is this the issue also for the ME and MG?

05-14-2022, 02:23 AM	#8
grimnicholas Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 59	Reviving the thread, did you ever resolve, OP? I wonder if it's the same issue as my ME will shoot fine for a while then hugely underexpose

05-14-2022, 10:12 PM - 1 Like	#9
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	Originally posted by grimnicholas Reviving the thread, did you ever resolve, OP? I wonder if it's the same issue as my ME will shoot fine for a while then hugely underexpose Any of the M series that have the ISO etc on the ring around the re-wind knob can suffer from the oxidation problem. Just twisting it back and forth for a while can clear it, especially for cameras that have been on the shelf for a while. K.

05-18-2022, 05:23 PM	#10
noahwc New Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: BC Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by grimnicholas Reviving the thread, did you ever resolve, OP? I wonder if it's the same issue as my ME will shoot fine for a while then hugely underexpose Never did end up getting it fixed. I ended up getting a good deal on a K1000 which should be easier to maintain in the long run given its all mechanical workings. I would like to eventually fix the ME Super eventually though, perhaps make a project out of it. I did try working the ISO dial a bit to clear up any potential oxidization but it didn't help, unfortunately. Definitely worth a try though for anyone encountering this issue!