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Fiaskemist · 05-17-2021, 10:52 AM

I sold my off my Super A to an older lady, she told me how she learned photography as a teenager on her dad’s Super A. I miss that camera now so I am looking to buy another Super A. I found one listed on my local “ebay” but it looks a bit strange. I thought Super A’s were supposed to be all black but this one has a chrome bottom plate and the area above the mount is also chrome but the top plate is black. Is this possibly a repair frankenstein?

Attached Images

Last edited by Fiaskemist; 05-17-2021 at 11:00 AM.

titrisol · 05-17-2021, 11:16 AM

Looks like it, or at least the top plate was changed/painted

stevebrot · 05-17-2021, 11:21 AM

It may have body parts from a Super Program, the silver/black N. America twin. I, personally, would suspect that damage to the black parts is why the silver was substituted and I don't like cameras with a history of significant damage.

Steve

Fiaskemist · 05-17-2021, 12:04 PM

Now that I look at it, it actually looks like it is a silver N. American Super Program with the top plate replaced with a black one from a Super A. Hmm, I will see if the seller has more info on its function. Or else I will maybe skip this one.

stevebrot · 05-17-2021, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by Fiaskemist

Now that I look at it, it actually looks like it is a silver N. American Super Program with the top plate replaced with a black one from a Super A. Hmm, I will see if the seller has more info on its function. Or else I will maybe skip this one.

I would ask what happened to the front "grip" as well.

Steve

**ramseybuckeye** · 05-17-2021, 03:34 PM

I'd skip it, what may have been improperly fixed? Unless it is very cheap.

shyrsio · 05-17-2021, 04:05 PM

If it works alright, keep it. this peculiarity makes it so special.

**DWS1** · 05-17-2021, 05:45 PM

I wouldn't pay much for it. Too many unknowns.

**carlb** · 05-17-2021, 09:20 PM

Originally posted by DWS1

I wouldn't pay much for it. Too many unknowns.

Agreed. You just know what else they might have done to it. The Super A was my first Pentax back in the day - a great camera

**pentaxus** · 05-17-2021, 10:31 PM

Somebody put a black camera top cover on a chrome body. Did they do it because they dropped the camera and the black cover was the cheapest fix or did they just want a color body and a black and white body.

Fiaskemist · 05-18-2021, 02:25 AM

stevebrot - Yes, I also noticed the missing grip.
ramseybuckeye - That is what I am afraid of too.
carlb - It is a great camera, small and very capable!
shyrsio - That is kind of why I am still interested, if it works then it will be a true Frankenstein. A misunderstood needing love.

I agree with you all, we don’t know the reason for the change and that makes it uncertain. I am waiting for the seller to answer. It is listed for 350kr, around €35 or $40.

Here are two pictures taken with the previous Super A

A cathedral and someone having fun with her new camera.

Andrea K · 05-18-2021, 02:36 AM

Pass this and try to find another in better status

murrelet · 05-18-2021, 06:59 AM

If the lens is a 50mm F1.7, it could be worth the risk at that price. You're getting the camera for almost free for the price of the lens.

Mr. B · 05-18-2021, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by murrelet

If the lens is a 50mm F1.7, it could be worth the risk at that price. You're getting the camera for almost free for the price of the lens.

I agree, I would get it at that price

**ProfessorBuzz** · 05-18-2021, 10:09 AM

Since the serial number is stamped on the bottom plate... that's a bit of a red flag.

05-17-2021, 10:52 AM	#1
Fiaskemist Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 34	Is this a frankensteined Super A (Super Program)? I sold my off my Super A to an older lady, she told me how she learned photography as a teenager on her dad’s Super A. I miss that camera now so I am looking to buy another Super A. I found one listed on my local “ebay” but it looks a bit strange. I thought Super A’s were supposed to be all black but this one has a chrome bottom plate and the area above the mount is also chrome but the top plate is black. Is this possibly a repair frankenstein? Attached Images Last edited by Fiaskemist; 05-17-2021 at 11:00 AM.

05-18-2021, 02:25 AM	#11
Fiaskemist Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 34 Original Poster	stevebrot - Yes, I also noticed the missing grip. ramseybuckeye - That is what I am afraid of too. carlb - It is a great camera, small and very capable! shyrsio - That is kind of why I am still interested, if it works then it will be a true Frankenstein. A misunderstood needing love. I agree with you all, we don’t know the reason for the change and that makes it uncertain. I am waiting for the seller to answer. It is listed for 350kr, around €35 or $40. Here are two pictures taken with the previous Super A A cathedral and someone having fun with her new camera. Attached Images

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05-17-2021, 11:16 AM	#2
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	Looks like it, or at least the top plate was changed/painted

05-17-2021, 11:21 AM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	It may have body parts from a Super Program, the silver/black N. America twin. I, personally, would suspect that damage to the black parts is why the silver was substituted and I don't like cameras with a history of significant damage. Steve

05-17-2021, 12:04 PM	#4
Fiaskemist Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 34 Original Poster	Now that I look at it, it actually looks like it is a silver N. American Super Program with the top plate replaced with a black one from a Super A. Hmm, I will see if the seller has more info on its function. Or else I will maybe skip this one.

05-17-2021, 03:33 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Fiaskemist Now that I look at it, it actually looks like it is a silver N. American Super Program with the top plate replaced with a black one from a Super A. Hmm, I will see if the seller has more info on its function. Or else I will maybe skip this one. I would ask what happened to the front "grip" as well. Steve

05-17-2021, 03:34 PM	#6
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,296	I'd skip it, what may have been improperly fixed? Unless it is very cheap.

05-17-2021, 04:05 PM	#7
shyrsio Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Tirana Posts: 780	If it works alright, keep it. this peculiarity makes it so special.

05-17-2021, 05:45 PM	#8
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	I wouldn't pay much for it. Too many unknowns.

05-17-2021, 09:20 PM	#9
carlb Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,164	Originally posted by DWS1 I wouldn't pay much for it. Too many unknowns. Agreed. You just know what else they might have done to it. The Super A was my first Pentax back in the day - a great camera

05-17-2021, 10:31 PM	#10
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	Somebody put a black camera top cover on a chrome body. Did they do it because they dropped the camera and the black cover was the cheapest fix or did they just want a color body and a black and white body.

05-18-2021, 02:36 AM	#12
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822	Pass this and try to find another in better status

05-18-2021, 06:59 AM	#13
murrelet Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, OR, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 506	If the lens is a 50mm F1.7, it could be worth the risk at that price. You're getting the camera for almost free for the price of the lens.

05-18-2021, 08:48 AM	#14
Mr. B Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Varaždin, Croatia, Europe Photos: Gallery Posts: 295	Originally posted by murrelet If the lens is a 50mm F1.7, it could be worth the risk at that price. You're getting the camera for almost free for the price of the lens. I agree, I would get it at that price

05-18-2021, 10:09 AM	#15
ProfessorBuzz Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 1,903	Since the serial number is stamped on the bottom plate... that's a bit of a red flag.

Is this a frankensteined Super A (Super Program)?

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