Pentax ME

Pentax ME

[] Image by Richy Schley (Image rights) Maker: Pentax Dates: 1977-1979 Variants: chrome, black, SE Camera Type: 35mm SLR Focusing: manual Lens mount: Pentax K Shutter: focal plane Seiko MFC-E metal curtains, vertical travel from 8s to 1/1000 Exposure meter: TTL, open aperture, center weighted Exposure modes: aperture priority ASA/ISO range: 12 to 1600 Finder screen: fixed Flash shoe: fixed hot shoe Flash speed: 1/100 TTL Flash: no Motor drive: external winder ME I (1.5i/s) or ME II (2i/s) Battery: 2×1.5V Weight: 460g w/o lens Number produced: unknown

In 1977, Pentax introduced two compact 35mm SLRs, the MX and the ME. The Olympus OM-1, presented in 1972, had introduced a new trend for compactness in SLR cameras. The ME is even smaller than an OM-1, by a few millimeters in every dimension. At about 460g, the ME was also 60 grams (2 oz.) lighter than an OM-1 or OM-2. The ME remains among the smallest 24x36mm format SLRs ever made.

The Pentax ME was an aperture priority automatic camera, with an electronic focal plane shutter from 8s to 1/1000, synchronized at 1/100. The shutter curtains were metal and had a vertical movement. In typical operation the user could not manually select shutter speeds; however an exposure compensation dial around the rewind crank allowed -/+ 2 stops of adjustment to the automatically-selected shutter speed. Without power from two 1.5-volt button cells, the only shutter speeds available are B and 1/100 sec.

The exposure meter was of the standard TTL open aperture center weighted type. It was activated by a slight pressure on the release button.

The Pentax ME had a 0.97× viewfinder, covering 92% of the field. The finder screen was fixed, with a split image and a microprism ring in the center. The shutter speed chosen by the camera was displayed in the finder using a series of red LEDs; but the aperture was not indicated.

There was a hot shoe on the top of the prism and a self-timer. The selector around the release button had four positions: L (lock), Auto, 100X (1/100, X sync) and B. The Pentax ME could attach an external winder ME I (1.5 i/s) or the later ME II (2i/s). The Pentax ME could also mount a Dial Data ME databack, or the later Digital Data M databack via a cord adapter.

The lenses were interchangeable with the K bayonet mount. The SMC Pentax-M series of compact lenses were introduced together with the ME and MX .

The Pentax ME existed in chrome or black finish, and a limited edition called ME SE had a brown leather covering with the chrome finish.

It was followed in 1979 by the more advanced Pentax ME Super and the simpler Pentax MV.

Links

• User's manual at Pentax Imaging
• The Pentax M series at krg site
• Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-mount site
• The ME at Aya's Cameras
• Pentax ME se on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand