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.

• Exposure Modes: Aperture Priority and Manual

• Metering: Center-weighted through-the-lens (TTL) metering

• 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.

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