Pentax ME Super Review: A Compact Classic with Modern Appeal
The Pentax ME Super, introduced in 1979, is a 35mm SLR camera that quickly became a favorite among both amateur and professional photographers. As an evolution of the original Pentax ME, the ME Super brought several key upgrades that made it a more versatile and user-friendly camera while maintaining the compact and lightweight design that Pentax was known for. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the features, specifications, and performance of the Pentax ME Super, and why it remains a beloved choice for film photography enthusiasts.
Design and Build Quality
The Pentax ME Super is a prime example of how good things can come in small packages. Weighing just 445 grams without a lens, the camera is incredibly lightweight and portable, making it ideal for travel and street photography. The compact dimensions (131 x 82 x 49 mm) allow it to slip easily into a small camera bag or even a large coat pocket, making it one of the most portable SLRs of its time.
Despite its small size, the ME Super is well-built, featuring a metal chassis covered in high-quality plastic, which gives it a solid and durable feel. The camera’s minimalist design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with a clean layout that emphasizes ease of use. The controls are straightforward, with a shutter speed dial on the top plate and a traditional film advance lever that provides a satisfying tactile experience.
Specifications
• Lens Mount: Pentax K mount
• Shutter Speed: Electronically controlled vertical metal focal-plane shutter with speeds from 1/2000th of a second to 4 seconds, plus Bulb mode.
• Viewfinder: Pentaprism viewfinder with 0.95x magnification and 92% coverage, with viewfinder information including aperture and LED display for shutter speed.
• Film Speed Range:ISO 12 to 1600, with manual setting
• Flash Sync Speed: 1/125th of a second
• Battery: Two SR44 or LR44 batteries
• Weight: 445 grams (body only)
• Dimensions: 131 x 82 x 49 mm
Viewfinder and Focusing
The viewfinder on the Pentax ME Super is bright and clear, offering approximately 92% frame coverage and 0.95x magnification. This makes composing shots easy and accurate, with a clear view of what will appear in the final image. The viewfinder features an LED display that shows the selected shutter speed, which is particularly useful in manual mode, allowing photographers to adjust their settings without taking their eye away from the scene.
Focusing on the ME Super is fully manual, and the camera is compatible with a wide range of Pentax K-mount lenses, known for their sharpness and reliability. The focus ring on these lenses offers smooth and precise operation, which, combined with the bright viewfinder, makes manual focusing a satisfying experience.
Exposure Control and Metering
One of the key features that set the ME Super apart from its predecessor, the Pentax ME, is the addition of manual mode. While the ME was limited to aperture-priority autoexposure, the ME Super offers both aperture priority and full manual control, giving photographers more flexibility in how they shoot. This makes the ME Super a more versatile camera, appealing to both beginners and experienced photographers who prefer manual control.
The camera’s electronically controlled shutter offers speeds from 1/2000th of a second to 4 seconds, plus a Bulb mode for long exposures. This range of shutter speeds allows for a wide variety of creative possibilities, from freezing fast action to capturing light trails at night.
The ME Super uses a center-weighted TTL metering system, which is reliable and consistent in most lighting conditions. The metering is linked to the aperture ring on the lens, making it easy to adjust exposure by changing the aperture or shutter speed as needed.
Performance and Usability
In practical use, the Pentax ME Super is a joy to shoot with. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry around all day, while the intuitive controls ensure that you can focus on capturing the moment rather than fiddling with settings. The combination of aperture priority and manual modes provides the flexibility to adapt to different shooting situations, whether you’re capturing fast-moving subjects or carefully composing a landscape shot.
The camera’s reliable metering system and wide range of shutter speeds ensure that you can achieve the correct exposure in a variety of lighting conditions, from bright daylight to dim interiors. The ME Super’s battery life is also impressive, with its two small batteries providing power for a long time, so you can shoot with confidence.
Conclusion
The Pentax ME Super is a classic 35mm SLR that combines compact design with versatile features, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced photographers. Its blend of manual control, reliable metering, and portable size make it a camera that is both practical and enjoyable to use. Whether you’re exploring film photography for the first time or adding to your collection of vintage cameras, the Pentax ME Super is a timeless piece of photographic equipment that delivers outstanding results.
Pentax Z-1p/PZ-1p Review: A Feature-Packed 35mm SLR for the Modern Film Photographer
The Pentax Z-1p, also known as the PZ-1p in North America, is a 35mm film SLR camera that represents the pinnacle of Pentax’s innovation in the early 1990s. Released in 1994 as an update to the original Z-1/PZ-1, this camera was designed to appeal to advanced amateurs and professionals looking for a high-performance, feature-rich camera that could handle a wide variety of shooting scenarios. In this review, we’ll explore the key features and performance of the Pentax Z-1p/PZ-1p and why it remains a solid choice for film photography enthusiasts.
Design and Build Quality
The Pentax Z-1p/PZ-1p is a camera that balances functionality with a modern, ergonomic design. The body is constructed from high-quality polycarbonate over a metal chassis, providing a robust and durable build while keeping the weight manageable at around 680 grams. This makes the camera sturdy enough for professional use while still being comfortable to carry for extended periods.
Ergonomically, the Z-1p/PZ-1p is well-designed, with a deep, contoured grip that fits comfortably in the hand. The layout of the controls is intuitive, with a mode dial on the top left and an LCD screen on the top right that displays essential shooting information such as shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation. The rear of the camera features a convenient thumb-operated dial that makes adjusting settings quick and easy.
One of the key design features of the Z-1p/PZ-1p is its multifunction control dial, which allows for rapid adjustments of various settings, including ISO, exposure compensation, and flash mode. This level of control is a boon for photographers who need to make quick changes on the fly without diving into menus or taking their eye off the viewfinder.
Viewfinder and Autofocus
The viewfinder on the Pentax Z-1p/PZ-1p is bright and clear, offering approximately 92% frame coverage and 0.78x magnification. The information display within the viewfinder is comprehensive, showing details like exposure settings, focus confirmation, and metering mode, which helps photographers stay informed without interrupting their shooting flow.
The autofocus system on the Z-1p/PZ-1p is one of its standout features. It utilizes a sophisticated five-point AF system that was advanced for its time. The autofocus is fast and accurate, performing well in a variety of lighting conditions. The camera also features a predictive autofocus mode, which is particularly useful for tracking moving subjects, making it a great choice for sports or wildlife photography.
For those who prefer manual focus, the Z-1p/PZ-1p provides a smooth and precise focusing experience, aided by the clear viewfinder and the excellent feedback from the focus ring on Pentax lenses.
Exposure Control and Metering
The Pentax Z-1p/PZ-1p offers a full range of exposure modes, including Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes, catering to photographers of all skill levels. The camera also features a unique Hyper Program mode, which allows for instant switching between Program and Manual modes simply by turning the shutter speed or aperture dial. This flexibility is ideal for photographers who need to quickly adapt to changing lighting conditions.
The metering system in the Z-1p/PZ-1p is highly accurate, featuring a 16-segment multi-pattern metering system that delivers consistent exposures even in challenging lighting situations. The camera also offers center-weighted and spot metering options, giving photographers the ability to tailor the metering to their specific needs.
Performance and Usability
In practical use, the Pentax Z-1p/PZ-1p is a versatile and reliable performer. The camera’s shutter speed ranges from 30 seconds to 1/8000th of a second, allowing for a wide range of creative possibilities. The built-in motor drive advances the film automatically and can shoot at up to 4 frames per second, which is more than sufficient for most action photography needs.
The Z-1p/PZ-1p also features a built-in pop-up flash with various flash modes, including red-eye reduction and slow sync, adding to the camera’s versatility in different shooting scenarios.
Conclusion
The Pentax Z-1p/PZ-1p is a feature-packed 35mm SLR that combines advanced technology with ergonomic design, making it a standout choice for both amateur and professional photographers. Its fast autofocus, accurate metering, and flexible exposure controls ensure that it can handle a wide range of photographic challenges with ease.
Whether you’re shooting fast-moving subjects, working in tricky lighting conditions, or simply exploring the creative possibilities of film, the Z-1p/PZ-1p delivers reliable performance in a well-designed package. For those who appreciate the tactile, hands-on nature of film photography but want the convenience of modern features, the Pentax Z-1p/PZ-1p is an excellent choice that continues to impress even decades after its release.
Nikon F100 Review: The Unsung Hero of 35mm Film SLRs
The Nikon F100, introduced in 1999, is often hailed as one of the finest 35mm film SLRs ever made, particularly for advanced amateurs and professionals who demand both performance and reliability. Positioned just below Nikon’s flagship F5, the F100 offers many of the features found in its big brother but in a more compact and affordable package. In this review, we’ll explore what makes the Nikon F100 a standout camera and why it continues to be a favorite among film photography enthusiasts.
Design and Build Quality
The Nikon F100 strikes an excellent balance between ruggedness and portability. Constructed with a high-strength aluminum alloy chassis and a polycarbonate shell, the camera is both durable and lightweight, weighing approximately 785 grams without a lens. This makes it solid enough to withstand the demands of professional use while remaining light enough for extended handheld shooting sessions.
Ergonomically, the F100 is a joy to handle. The deep, rubber-coated grip provides a secure and comfortable hold, which is essential for long days of shooting. The controls are intuitively laid out, making it easy to adjust settings on the fly. The top plate features a large, informative LCD display that shows essential shooting information such as shutter speed, aperture, frame count, and exposure compensation. The back of the camera is dominated by a large command dial and a four-way focus point selector, which makes navigating the camera’s functions straightforward and efficient.
The F100 also benefits from Nikon’s renowned build quality. The camera feels solid and reliable in hand, with all buttons and dials offering a satisfying level of resistance. The overall construction of the F100 gives it a professional feel that belies its price point, making it a true workhorse for serious photographers.
Viewfinder and Autofocus
The Nikon F100 features a bright and clear pentaprism viewfinder that offers 96% frame coverage and 0.76x magnification. The viewfinder is one of the best in its class, providing an excellent view for composing shots. The information display within the viewfinder is comprehensive, showing crucial data like focus confirmation, metering mode, and exposure settings, ensuring you never miss a detail while shooting.
Autofocus is where the F100 truly shines. It utilizes Nikon’s Multi-CAM1300 autofocus sensor, which offers 5 autofocus points and is both fast and accurate. The camera’s AF system works exceptionally well in various lighting conditions, locking onto subjects quickly and reliably. Whether you’re shooting fast-moving subjects or in low-light situations, the F100’s autofocus system delivers with impressive consistency.
For photographers who prefer manual focus, the F100 offers a precise and responsive manual focus experience, aided by the clear and detailed viewfinder.
Exposure and Metering
The Nikon F100 offers a comprehensive range of exposure modes, including Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes. This versatility allows photographers to adapt the camera to a wide variety of shooting scenarios, from quick snapshots to meticulously composed images.
The camera’s metering system is a standout feature, featuring Nikon’s 10-segment 3D Matrix Metering system. This advanced metering system evaluates the scene’s lighting and color information to deliver accurate exposures in almost any situation. In addition to matrix metering, the F100 also offers center-weighted and spot metering options, providing photographers with the flexibility to choose the best metering mode for their specific needs.
Performance and Usability
In terms of performance, the Nikon F100 is a powerhouse. The camera’s shutter speed ranges from 30 seconds to 1/8000th of a second, and it can shoot continuously at 4.5 frames per second. This makes it more than capable of handling fast-paced action, sports, or any situation where timing is crucial.
The F100 is also equipped with a built-in motor drive for automatic film advance and rewind, which adds to the camera’s efficiency in the field. The camera’s battery life is impressive as well, powered by four AA batteries, making it easy to find replacements anywhere in the world.
Conclusion
The Nikon F100 is an outstanding 35mm film SLR that combines advanced features, rugged build quality, and excellent performance into a package that is both accessible and highly capable. Whether you’re a professional photographer looking for a reliable backup camera or an enthusiast seeking to experience the golden age of film photography, the F100 delivers in every way. Its combination of a superb autofocus system, advanced metering, and robust design make it one of the best film cameras ever produced, and a true gem in the Nikon lineup. The Nikon F100 is a camera that continues to earn its place in the hands of those who appreciate the art and discipline of film photography.