[Nesster]

You need a Pentax-A for the Super Program;

I thought so too - you only need the A for Program mode - if you put a regular K mount, presto chango the Program mode turns into Av mode! (Had I realized this back in '85, I might have ended up with a Pentax and not an OM2s...)

[kevinschoenmakers]

I bought an ME with a 50mm 1.7 and a 28mm 2.8 off of the dutch equivalent of eBay for €50 (= $65): Link with photo's

I'm picking it up tomorrow.

[kevinschoenmakers]

I've got it, everything seems to work, some scratches etc, but that's to be expected for a camera that's been around 30 years:


click for full size

[Gooshin]

I've got it, everything seems to work, some scratches etc, but that's to be expected for a camera that's been around 30 years:


click for full size

is your shutter accurate?

thats probably the only thing to worry about in general.

[kevinschoenmakers]

is your shutter accurate?

thats probably the only thing to worry about in general.

How does one determine that?

[Pumalite]

Shoot a roll of film in 'Manual' with a hand held meter. Then figure it out.

[lithos]

Ah, don't worry about that.

The ME use an electronic shutter, not the mechanical ones Goosh and Puma are worried about.

ME's are very, very stable in the shutter speed department.

(Though if you do decide to test it, use a hand-held meter, as Puma says. DO NOT measure it against a DSLR's meter, as "ISO 400" on a DSLR isn't really ISO 400.)

[Ira]

Scratches on a camera equal character.

[lithos]

Aye, Ira. There's nothing worse than a collector..."Behold, I have mint Pentax MX, still in box, with a mint M f1.4 50mm!" "Can I see some of the photos you've taken with it?" "Photos? Photos?! Pho- how dare you! Get out! Now!"

That M f1.7 50mm is one of Pentax's sharpest lenses. Really. It's also a jewel to hold - compact, well made, with one of the best-moving focusing rings ever made. It turns smoothly, yet stops turning easily. This is it, stopped down a bit:



Only downside with my copy is that the rubber grip on the focusing ring has come loose. Not really a problem, though.

[ajuett]

I just picked up a SuperProgram (very mint cond). With M series lenses put the camera in Auto, set your aperture on the lens, the shutter will pick it's speed. After focusing, you can fire away It's a great camera, I just finished my first roll, Ilford FP4 Plus 125. Sending it for developing tomorrow and should have it in about a week.

[kevinschoenmakers]

Shoot a roll of film in 'Manual' with a hand held meter. Then figure it out.

An ME only has Av.

[lithos]

Which makes that even harder, as it's got a stepless shutter. So while the LEDs might say 1/125 of a second, it could be anywhere from, oh, 1/81 of a second to 1/187...

[séamuis]

Which makes that even harder, as it's got a stepless shutter. So while the LEDs might say 1/125 of a second, it could be anywhere from, oh, 1/81 of a second to 1/187...

but its highly unlikely that it would be that far off. dollars to donuts, the thing is at least close enough that you likely wouldn't notice.

[kevinschoenmakers]

I just turned in my first roll to be developed. There's an old hospital in my neighbourhood that's about to be torn down, and they're giving some last-minute tours for people who used to work there etc, and by chance I stumbled upon it and got to go with a tour through a deserted hospital. I can't wait for the results!

[Stevopedia]

wow, that's both really creepy and really cool!

it reminds me of a field trip I went on with my photo class. we went to Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. It was built in the early 1800s and used until 1970, with lots of changes/add-ons/etc. Basically, after it was closed, it was allowed to sit and decay. Then, in like 1990, a preservation group purchased the place. The only thing they're doing to it is putting new roofs on the cell blocks and stabilizing the structure so it's safe to enter. The decay is mostly allowed to remain as it is. Very, very cool place. I'll have to scan some of my shots and post 'em sometime.