My introduction to the Pentax ME Super was short lived :-(

[Htbaa]

9+ Years ago I inherited my stepdad's Pentax ME Super. As I just got my first proper digital MILC camera I tucked it away. Later on did have a look at it but we were wondering if it actually was still functioning. Buttons seemed stuck etc. In hindsight it was just a lack of understanding the camera.

A week ago or so, I don't know how or why, but I decided to give it another look. The battery cover is stuck, but removing the baseplate let me replace the batteries. Light meter still works. I knew there was a film in it (must've been 10+ if not 15 years old) as we foolishly opened it up years ago. But I think it must've been at the start of the roll. So I experimented with the camera, taking shots. Hoping that eventually some pictures on the final part of the roll would actually work out . I handed in the roll to get developed earlier this week.

As I was out of film I bought a new roll to get right back to it. Loaded it up and all seemed fine. Or so I thought. I was watching a YouTube video about beginner mistakes when shooting film and that's where I noticed the film wasn't installed correctly because advancing the film didn't make the indicators on the camera do anything. So I opened it up again and the film was advancing, but it wasn't a very tight fit and again the little indicator on the back didn't turn nor did the winder when advancing the film.

So I tried to reinstall the film a couple of times with varying success. But eventually something went horribly wrong. The shutter is still cocked but won't react, the mirror is up and the lever for advancing the film has no tension. I'm not sure but I think I may have accidentally set it to Bulb mode, pressed the shutter and advanced the lever at the same time or something.

I found this video on the subject and I'm pretty sure this would fix my issue. But opening it up it's all kinds of different screws where I don't have the heads for. Getting someone else to repair it seems a bit costly as well. Someone nearby is selling another ME Super with some lenses for about € 75,- but for sentimental value I really wanted to shoot THIS camera.

As I had already ordered another film (BW this time) I just cancelled that as I don't see it happening that I can get this camera fixed :-(.

Anyway, thank you for reading my story. I guess I'll put the camera back on display again.

 

[alex_virt]

Pentax ME Super is a very nice camera and looks great on display, but if you want to take pictures, I suggest getting something more modern.

 

[TBLF]

Yeah, I loved my ME Super in its day, it was an awesome bit of kit. But unfortunately, it was also a bit fragile in the electronics department. I went through 2 of them in short order and moved on to medium format Pentax from there.

I still have a ZX-M laying around with autowinder, and it actually works like new, which is a shock to me because it really is cheaply made lightweight plastic little thing, but I guess I got a good one.

The best quality film Pentax's in my opinion were the old K series, and the original M42 mount Spotmatic's... the Spotmatic F being my favorite of the bunch. If I was looking for a film camera, and wanted to use my K mount glass, I dunno, I guess I'd try and find something mechanical that has been professionally PM'd with a warranty from an actual camera store, like maybe a used K1000 if you want the full classic manual experience. If you want to use your A lenses in auto mode or autofocus, maybe PZ series if you can find one with the above caveats with a warranty.

 

[Htbaa]

Yeah, I loved my ME Super in its day, it was an awesome bit of kit. But unfortunately, it was also a bit fragile in the electronics department. I went through 2 of them in short order and moved on to medium format Pentax from there.

I still have a ZX-M laying around with autowinder, and it actually works like new, which is a shock to me because it really is cheaply made lightweight plastic little thing, but I guess I got a good one.

The best quality film Pentax's in my opinion were the old K series, and the original M42 mount Spotmatic's... the Spotmatic F being my favorite of the bunch. If I was looking for a film camera, and wanted to use my K mount glass, I dunno, I guess I'd try and find something mechanical that has been professionally PM'd with a warranty from an actual camera store, like maybe a used K1000 if you want the full classic manual experience. If you want to use your A lenses in auto mode or autofocus, maybe PZ series if you can find one with the above caveats with a warranty.

I figured I wanted to try analog because of the ME Super I have. Realising that getting another one just because I'd like to shoot a couple of rolls of film is kinda crazy (I think) and no justification to get another camera. Maybe someday if I can get a working one really cheap. Kinda liked how easy the ME Super was to use, too bad this one turned out to be fragile.

 

[TBLF]

Yeah, I loved my ME Super in its day, it was an awesome bit of kit. But unfortunately, it was also a bit fragile in the electronics department. I went through 2 of them in short order and moved on to medium format Pentax from there.

I still have a ZX-M laying around with autowinder, and it actually works like new, which is a shock to me because it really is cheaply made lightweight plastic little thing, but I guess I got a good one.

The best quality film Pentax's in my opinion were the old K series, and the original M42 mount Spotmatic's... the Spotmatic F being my favorite of the bunch. If I was looking for a film camera, and wanted to use my K mount glass, I dunno, I guess I'd try and find something mechanical that has been professionally PM'd with a warranty from an actual camera store, like maybe a used K1000 if you want the full classic manual experience. If you want to use your A lenses in auto mode or autofocus, maybe PZ series if you can find one with the above caveats with a warranty.

I figured I wanted to try analog because of the ME Super I have. Realising that getting another one just because I'd like to shoot a couple of rolls of film is kinda crazy (I think) and no justification to get another camera. Maybe someday if I can get a working one really cheap. Kinda liked how easy the ME Super was to use, too bad this one turned out to be fragile.

Ahh... understood. If there is sentimental attachment to it, there is always Eric Henderson, I've used him before. He's getting long in the tooth, but last time we spoke, he was training his replacement. The ME Super is on the list of models he repairs.

Home-Pentaxs

pentaxs.com

Hope that helps.

 

[Htbaa]

Yeah, I loved my ME Super in its day, it was an awesome bit of kit. But unfortunately, it was also a bit fragile in the electronics department. I went through 2 of them in short order and moved on to medium format Pentax from there.

I still have a ZX-M laying around with autowinder, and it actually works like new, which is a shock to me because it really is cheaply made lightweight plastic little thing, but I guess I got a good one.

The best quality film Pentax's in my opinion were the old K series, and the original M42 mount Spotmatic's... the Spotmatic F being my favorite of the bunch. If I was looking for a film camera, and wanted to use my K mount glass, I dunno, I guess I'd try and find something mechanical that has been professionally PM'd with a warranty from an actual camera store, like maybe a used K1000 if you want the full classic manual experience. If you want to use your A lenses in auto mode or autofocus, maybe PZ series if you can find one with the above caveats with a warranty.

I figured I wanted to try analog because of the ME Super I have. Realising that getting another one just because I'd like to shoot a couple of rolls of film is kinda crazy (I think) and no justification to get another camera. Maybe someday if I can get a working one really cheap. Kinda liked how easy the ME Super was to use, too bad this one turned out to be fragile.

Ahh... understood. If there is sentimental attachment to it, there is always Eric Henderson, I've used him before. He's getting long in the tooth, but last time we spoke, he was training his replacement. The ME Super is on the list of models he repairs.

https://pentaxs.com/

Hope that helps.

 

[Mark Ransom]

A Pentax ME Super was my first camera, and only camera for a very long time. I loved it.

Eventually it developed a problem and I couldn't use it anymore. It's too long ago to remember exactly, but your description of the winding lever being stuck seems very familiar.

I eventually bought a second one with the thought that I could use parts from it to repair mine. I think I spent $40 on it. But before I could get around to it I realized I never wanted to shoot with film again. At this point I only know the location of one of the two, and I don't know if it's the original or the second. And it doesn't matter anyway.

 

[Htbaa]

A Pentax ME Super was my first camera, and only camera for a very long time. I loved it.

Eventually it developed a problem and I couldn't use it anymore. It's too long ago to remember exactly, but your description of the winding lever being stuck seems very familiar.

I eventually bought a second one with the thought that I could use parts from it to repair mine. I think I spent $40 on it. But before I could get around to it I realized I never wanted to shoot with film again. At this point I only know the location of one of the two, and I don't know if it's the original or the second. And it doesn't matter anyway.

It seems to be a common issue with this camera as my YouTube feed keeps suggesting repair videos. Maybe one day I’ll get to try film again. For now I’ll stick to my digital cameras.

 

[Overrank]

Yeah, I loved my ME Super in its day, it was an awesome bit of kit. But unfortunately, it was also a bit fragile in the electronics department. I went through 2 of them in short order and moved on to medium format Pentax from there.

I still have a ZX-M laying around with autowinder, and it actually works like new, which is a shock to me because it really is cheaply made lightweight plastic little thing, but I guess I got a good one.

The best quality film Pentax's in my opinion were the old K series, and the original M42 mount Spotmatic's... the Spotmatic F being my favorite of the bunch. If I was looking for a film camera, and wanted to use my K mount glass, I dunno, I guess I'd try and find something mechanical that has been professionally PM'd with a warranty from an actual camera store, like maybe a used K1000 if you want the full classic manual experience. If you want to use your A lenses in auto mode or autofocus, maybe PZ series if you can find one with the above caveats with a warranty.

I figured I wanted to try analog because of the ME Super I have. Realising that getting another one just because I'd like to shoot a couple of rolls of film is kinda crazy (I think) and no justification to get another camera. Maybe someday if I can get a working one really cheap. Kinda liked how easy the ME Super was to use, too bad this one turned out to be fragile.

Ahh... understood. If there is sentimental attachment to it, there is always Eric Henderson, I've used him before. He's getting long in the tooth, but last time we spoke, he was training his replacement. The ME Super is on the list of models he repairs.

https://pentaxs.com/

Hope that helps.

Thanks! But me being in Europe and him in the States wouldn’t make it feasible to send it in for repair.

There might be somewhere closer to home on this list - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums...entax-repair-facilities-wordwide-listing.html (some of the links don’t work as it’s 8 years old)

 

[Htbaa]

Yeah, I loved my ME Super in its day, it was an awesome bit of kit. But unfortunately, it was also a bit fragile in the electronics department. I went through 2 of them in short order and moved on to medium format Pentax from there.

I still have a ZX-M laying around with autowinder, and it actually works like new, which is a shock to me because it really is cheaply made lightweight plastic little thing, but I guess I got a good one.

The best quality film Pentax's in my opinion were the old K series, and the original M42 mount Spotmatic's... the Spotmatic F being my favorite of the bunch. If I was looking for a film camera, and wanted to use my K mount glass, I dunno, I guess I'd try and find something mechanical that has been professionally PM'd with a warranty from an actual camera store, like maybe a used K1000 if you want the full classic manual experience. If you want to use your A lenses in auto mode or autofocus, maybe PZ series if you can find one with the above caveats with a warranty.

I figured I wanted to try analog because of the ME Super I have. Realising that getting another one just because I'd like to shoot a couple of rolls of film is kinda crazy (I think) and no justification to get another camera. Maybe someday if I can get a working one really cheap. Kinda liked how easy the ME Super was to use, too bad this one turned out to be fragile.

Ahh... understood. If there is sentimental attachment to it, there is always Eric Henderson, I've used him before. He's getting long in the tooth, but last time we spoke, he was training his replacement. The ME Super is on the list of models he repairs.

https://pentaxs.com/

Hope that helps.

Thanks! But me being in Europe and him in the States wouldn’t make it feasible to send it in for repair.

There might be somewhere closer to home on this list - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums...entax-repair-facilities-wordwide-listing.html (some of the links don’t work as it’s 8 years old)

The one from my country doesn't seem to exist anymore but Germany is the next closest country. I'll check some of those out and inform there.

 

[JDLBolk]

I had my Pentax ME and Pentax ME Super serviced in 2019 at

Foto Service Centrum Wassenaar, Lange Kerkdam 56, 2242 BX Wassenaar, The Netherlands, 31-(0)70 5170200, www.japancamera.nl

I was quite happy with the results. I hope he is still in business.

Jan-Diderik

 

[Htbaa]

1. JDLBolk wrote:

I had my Pentax ME and Pentax ME Super serviced in 2019 at

Foto Service Centrum Wassenaar, Lange Kerkdam 56, 2242 BX Wassenaar, The Netherlands, 31-(0)70 5170200, www.japancamera.nl

I was quite happy with the results. I hope he is still in business.

Jan-Diderik

That would be even better. Will have a look, thanks.

Do you by chance happen to remember the costs for servicing them?

 

[Htbaa]

I had my Pentax ME and Pentax ME Super serviced in 2019 at

Foto Service Centrum Wassenaar, Lange Kerkdam 56, 2242 BX Wassenaar, The Netherlands, 31-(0)70 5170200, www.japancamera.nl

I was quite happy with the results. I hope he is still in business.

Jan-Diderik

It looks like they went to another location but are still in business. I've contacted them and sent them my Pentax ME Super for servicing. They estimated costs to be about € 75,- to € 90,-.

Not sure if the camera is actually worth that but it doesn't feel right to not have it in a working state. Still want to play with analog photography .

 

[JDLBolk]

I hope you will find you like analog photography. I know I do

 

[Htbaa]

I hope you will find you like analog photography. I know I do

 

[TBLF]

I hope you will find you like analog photography. I know I do

I’m really looking forward to it. I really like all the techy stuff of the modern stuff. But I also like it the other way around. Broad interests I guess haha.

No clue how long the repair will take. I’m in no hurry though.

The film that was still in the camera has been developed and all photos are a bust. Camera has been opened several times. The final frames sort of worked out, but there was something wrong with how the film was installed. The prints that the lab did make are all half parts of two photos. Looking at the film they didn’t scan everything. They also added a CD with the digital photos but I can’t even read that on either my Mac or Windows PC. Don’t think I’ll let Kruidvat develop again .

Those half parts of 2 photo's are probably indicative of the film advance issue.... probably a stripped cog gear somewhere. That should be a simple mechanical fix. Who knows, with any luck your repair will come under budget (well, a guy can hope, no?).

Best wishes and keep us posted.

 

[Autonerd]

As usual, I'm late to the party...

ME Super was my favorite walk-around camera, but mine died as well -- I think fragile electronics is the problem.

As an alternative to repair, I'd suggest the Ricoh KR-10, XR-2 or XR-2s. (Not the KR-10 Super, KR-10m or KR-10x.) They take K-mount lenses and are a little bigger than the M-series but not much heavier thanks to polycarb bodies, and they are very inexpensive (and IMHO undervalued). I have a couple of Sears KS Autos (rebadged XR-2s) and they are great walk-around cameras that I don't mind getting dinged up a little, since they are cheap to replace.

Love my K-series cameras but they are a LOT heavier.

Aaron

 

[Htbaa]

I hope you will find you like analog photography. I know I do

I’m really looking forward to it. I really like all the techy stuff of the modern stuff. But I also like it the other way around. Broad interests I guess haha.

No clue how long the repair will take. I’m in no hurry though.

The film that was still in the camera has been developed and all photos are a bust. Camera has been opened several times. The final frames sort of worked out, but there was something wrong with how the film was installed. The prints that the lab did make are all half parts of two photos. Looking at the film they didn’t scan everything. They also added a CD with the digital photos but I can’t even read that on either my Mac or Windows PC. Don’t think I’ll let Kruidvat develop again .

Those half parts of 2 photo's are probably indicative of the film advance issue.... probably a stripped cog gear somewhere. That should be a simple mechanical fix. Who knows, with any luck your repair will come under budget (well, a guy can hope, no?).

Best wishes and keep us posted.

It took a while but last weekend I finally got a message that the camera was ready and waiting to be sent out again (they made it sound as if it was ready for ages now... then why not contact me earlier? ).

Should receive it later this week. According to the invoice they fixed the transport mechanism, replaced a spring, replaced/renewed the bottom plate + battery cover and cleaned the camera as well. They even supposedly lacquered some damages?

Looking forward to getting the camera back again. Hopefully the cleaning also means they cleaned the mirror and viewfinder as that was pretty dusty .

 

[Htbaa]

I hope you will find you like analog photography. I know I do

I’m really looking forward to it. I really like all the techy stuff of the modern stuff. But I also like it the other way around. Broad interests I guess haha.

No clue how long the repair will take. I’m in no hurry though.

The film that was still in the camera has been developed and all photos are a bust. Camera has been opened several times. The final frames sort of worked out, but there was something wrong with how the film was installed. The prints that the lab did make are all half parts of two photos. Looking at the film they didn’t scan everything. They also added a CD with the digital photos but I can’t even read that on either my Mac or Windows PC. Don’t think I’ll let Kruidvat develop again .

Those half parts of 2 photo's are probably indicative of the film advance issue.... probably a stripped cog gear somewhere. That should be a simple mechanical fix. Who knows, with any luck your repair will come under budget (well, a guy can hope, no?).

Best wishes and keep us posted.

It took a while but last weekend I finally got a message that the camera was ready and waiting to be sent out again (they made it sound as if it was ready for ages now... then why not contact me earlier? ).

Should receive it later this week. According to the invoice they fixed the transport mechanism, replaced a spring, replaced/renewed the bottom plate + battery cover and cleaned the camera as well. They even supposedly lacquered some damages?

Looking forward to getting the camera back again. Hopefully the cleaning also means they cleaned the mirror and viewfinder as that was pretty dusty .

Received it today and as far as I can tell it’s working like a charm again. Very happy with it. Loaded up the film roll I had bought earlier, skipped several frames (about 12) as I think the camera was at that frame when it originally broke down. Took some test shots and should now be good again. Also ordered a b&e stock to use next .

The transport has been fixed. The way it behaves now makes it obvious the camera wasn’t in proper working order before it fully broke down. Glad they managed to replace the battery cover as well as that was completely stuck.

Thank you again JDLBolk for recommending this repair center!

 

[TBLF]

I hope you will find you like analog photography. I know I do

I’m really looking forward to it. I really like all the techy stuff of the modern stuff. But I also like it the other way around. Broad interests I guess haha.

No clue how long the repair will take. I’m in no hurry though.

The film that was still in the camera has been developed and all photos are a bust. Camera has been opened several times. The final frames sort of worked out, but there was something wrong with how the film was installed. The prints that the lab did make are all half parts of two photos. Looking at the film they didn’t scan everything. They also added a CD with the digital photos but I can’t even read that on either my Mac or Windows PC. Don’t think I’ll let Kruidvat develop again .

Those half parts of 2 photo's are probably indicative of the film advance issue.... probably a stripped cog gear somewhere. That should be a simple mechanical fix. Who knows, with any luck your repair will come under budget (well, a guy can hope, no?).

Best wishes and keep us posted.

It took a while but last weekend I finally got a message that the camera was ready and waiting to be sent out again (they made it sound as if it was ready for ages now... then why not contact me earlier? ).

Should receive it later this week. According to the invoice they fixed the transport mechanism, replaced a spring, replaced/renewed the bottom plate + battery cover and cleaned the camera as well. They even supposedly lacquered some damages?

Looking forward to getting the camera back again. Hopefully the cleaning also means they cleaned the mirror and viewfinder as that was pretty dusty .

Received it today and as far as I can tell it’s working like a charm again. Very happy with it. Loaded up the film roll I had bought earlier, skipped several frames (about 12) as I think the camera was at that frame when it originally broke down. Took some test shots and should now be good again. Also ordered a b&e stock to use next .

The transport has been fixed. The way it behaves now makes it obvious the camera wasn’t in proper working order before it fully broke down. Glad they managed to replace the battery cover as well as that was completely stuck.

Thank you again JDLBolk for recommending this repair center!

That is awesome news! Sometimes a rescue is about more than a simple cost/benefit analysis, it is what it means to you personally. Congratulations & enjoy!