Difference between revisions of "Pentax ME Super"

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In 1977, [[Pentax]] had introduced two compact 35mm [[SLR]]s, the [[Pentax MX|MX]] and the [[Pentax ME|ME]], after the [[Olympus OM-1]] presented in 1972 had introduced a new trend for compactness in SLR cameras.
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In 1977, [[Pentax]] introduced two compact 35mm [[SLR]]s, the [[Pentax MX|MX]] and the [[Pentax ME|ME]]. These followed a trend towards smaller size in SLR cameras inspired by 1972's [[Olympus OM-1]].
 +
 
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Of the pair, the [[Pentax ME|ME]] was the autoexposure model, but it lacked any manual shutter-speed settings. In 1979 Pentax replaced the original ME with the simpler [[Pentax MV|MV]] and the more advanced '''ME Super''', which had the following changes:
  
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The [[Pentax ME]] was the automatic model, but it had no manual mode. It was replaced in 1979 by the simpler [[Pentax MV|MV]] and the more advanced '''ME Super''', with the following changes:
 
 
* manual mode added
 
* manual mode added
 
* shutter speed range from 4s to 1/2000, sync at 1/125
 
* shutter speed range from 4s to 1/2000, sync at 1/125
 
* additional [[hot shoe|shoe]] contact for dedicated Pentax flash units
 
* additional [[hot shoe|shoe]] contact for dedicated Pentax flash units
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* different finder magnification
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* -1.0 diopter eyepiece (changed from -0.5)
 
* The marking "ASAHI" in the pentaprism housing was eliminated sometime between the ME and the ME Super
 
* The marking "ASAHI" in the pentaprism housing was eliminated sometime between the ME and the ME Super
  
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The Pentax ME Super was an [[aperture priority]] automatic camera, with an electronic [[focal plane shutter]] from 4s to 1/2000, [[flash sync|synchronized]] at 1/125. The shutter curtains were metal and had a vertical movement. For manual mode, the shutter knob usual at the time was replaced by two buttons, up and down, to select the shutter speed. The [[light meter|exposure meter]] was of the standard [[TTL]] open aperture center weighted type. It was activated by a slight pressure on the release button.
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The "Super" version is also a fraction of a millimeter taller than the original ME, although the difference is imperceptible in use.
 +
 
 +
The Pentax ME Super is an [[aperture priority]] automatic camera, with a [[focal plane shutter]] electronically timed from 4s to 1/2000, and with [[flash sync]] at 1/125. The shutter uses vertically-traveling metal curtains. For manual mode the ME Super uses two buttons, up and down, to select the shutter speed, rather than a more conventional rotary dial. The [[light meter|exposure meter]] was of the standard [[TTL]] open aperture center-weighted type. It was activated by a slight pressure on the release button.
  
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The Pentax ME Super had a 0.95x viewfinder, covering 92% of the field. The finder screen was fixed, with a [[Split-image device|split image]] and a [[microprism]] ring in the center. The shutter speed chosen by the camera or the user was displayed in the finder, the aperture was not.
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The Pentax ME Super has a 0.95x viewfinder, covering 92% of the field. The finder screen is fixed, with a [[Split-image device|split image]] and a [[microprism]] ring in the center. The shutter speed chosen by the camera or the user is displayed in the finder, although aperture is not.
  
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There was a [[self-timer]] and a [[hot shoe]] on the top of the [[pentaprism|prism]] with an additional contact for dedicated Pentax flash units. The selector around the release button had five positions: L (lock), Auto, M (manual), 125 and B. The Pentax ME Super could attach the external ''winder ME'' (1.5 i/s) or the later ''Winder ME II'' (2i/s). The Pentax ME Super could also mount a ''Dial Data ME'' databack, or the later ''Digital Data M'' databack via a cord adapter.
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The ME has a mechanical self-timer with a maximum delay of about 10 seconds. After setting, the self-timer lever must be nudged clockwise again to begin the countdown. The camera has a [[hot shoe]] with an additional contact. Dedicated Pentax flash units use this to communicate a flash-ready indicator in the viewfinder and to automatically select the correct 1/125 sec. shutter speed, overriding any manual or auto setting. The selector around the release button had five positions: L (lock), Auto, M (manual), 125X and B. The Pentax ME Super can accept either the external ''winder ME'' (1.5 i/s) or the later ''Winder ME II'' (2i/s). The Pentax ME Super can also mount a ''Dial Data ME'' databack, or the later ''Digital Data M'' databack via a cord adapter.
  
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The lenses were interchangeable with the [[K mount lenses|K bayonet mount]]. Together with the ME and MX, the SMC Pentax-M series of compact lenses were introduced.
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Interchangeable lenses for the ME Super use the [[K mount lenses|K bayonet mount]]. The SMC Pentax-M lenses were a more compact K-mount series introduced alongside the ME and MX cameras.
  
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The Pentax ME Super existed in chrome or black finish. There was a special edition called '''ME Super SE''', only sold in chrome finish; the differences are the ''SE'' marking and the diagonal instead of horizontal split-image device in the focusing screen.<REF> [http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/bodies/film_M/ME_Super.html ME Super page] by Bojidar Dimitrov. </REF>
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The Pentax ME Super exists in chrome or black finish. There is a special edition called '''ME Super SE''', only sold in chrome finish; the differences are the ''SE'' marking and the diagonal instead of horizontal split-image device in the focusing screen.<REF> [http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/bodies/film_M/ME_Super.html ME Super page] by Bojidar Dimitrov. </REF>
  
 
A derivative with a primitive autofocus mechanism, called the [[Pentax ME-F]], was released in 1981. Production of the ME Super stopped in 1986.
 
A derivative with a primitive autofocus mechanism, called the [[Pentax ME-F]], was released in 1981. Production of the ME Super stopped in 1986.

Revision as of 18:09, 16 August 2015

Pentax ME Super
2091306567_34bb86d9ec_m.jpg

Image by titrisol (Image rights)

Maker: Pentax

Dates: 1980-1986

Variants: chrome, black, SE

Camera Type: 35mm SLR

Focusing: manual

Lens mount: Pentax K with fully automatic diaphragm linkage

Shutter: SEIKO MFC-E2 electronic focal plane, vertical, metal
from 4s to 1/2000

Exposure meter: TTL, open aperture,
center weighted by GPD cells. EV 1-19

Exposure modes: aperture priority, manual, 125 mechanical, Bulb

ASA/ISO range: 12 to 1600 ISO

Finder screen: fixed split-screen

Flash shoe: fixed hot shoe, contact for dedicated flash

Flash speed: 1/125

TTL Flash: no

Motor drive: external Winder ME (1.5i/s) or Winder ME II (2i/s)

Battery: 2 × 1.5V (SR44, LR44 or equivalent)

Weight: 445g w/o lens

Number produced: unknown

In 1977, Pentax introduced two compact 35mm SLRs, the MX and the ME. These followed a trend towards smaller size in SLR cameras inspired by 1972's Olympus OM-1.

Of the pair, the ME was the autoexposure model, but it lacked any manual shutter-speed settings. In 1979 Pentax replaced the original ME with the simpler MV and the more advanced ME Super, which had the following changes:

  • manual mode added
  • shutter speed range from 4s to 1/2000, sync at 1/125
  • additional shoe contact for dedicated Pentax flash units
  • -1.0 diopter eyepiece (changed from -0.5)
  • The marking "ASAHI" in the pentaprism housing was eliminated sometime between the ME and the ME Super

The "Super" version is also a fraction of a millimeter taller than the original ME, although the difference is imperceptible in use.

The Pentax ME Super is an aperture priority automatic camera, with a focal plane shutter electronically timed from 4s to 1/2000, and with flash sync at 1/125. The shutter uses vertically-traveling metal curtains. For manual mode the ME Super uses two buttons, up and down, to select the shutter speed, rather than a more conventional rotary dial. 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 Super has a 0.95x viewfinder, covering 92% of the field. The finder screen is fixed, with a split image and a microprism ring in the center. The shutter speed chosen by the camera or the user is displayed in the finder, although aperture is not.

The ME has a mechanical self-timer with a maximum delay of about 10 seconds. After setting, the self-timer lever must be nudged clockwise again to begin the countdown. The camera has a hot shoe with an additional contact. Dedicated Pentax flash units use this to communicate a flash-ready indicator in the viewfinder and to automatically select the correct 1/125 sec. shutter speed, overriding any manual or auto setting. The selector around the release button had five positions: L (lock), Auto, M (manual), 125X and B. The Pentax ME Super can accept either the external winder ME (1.5 i/s) or the later Winder ME II (2i/s). The Pentax ME Super can also mount a Dial Data ME databack, or the later Digital Data M databack via a cord adapter.

Interchangeable lenses for the ME Super use the K bayonet mount. The SMC Pentax-M lenses were a more compact K-mount series introduced alongside the ME and MX cameras.

The Pentax ME Super exists in chrome or black finish. There is a special edition called ME Super SE, only sold in chrome finish; the differences are the SE marking and the diagonal instead of horizontal split-image device in the focusing screen.[1]

A derivative with a primitive autofocus mechanism, called the Pentax ME-F, was released in 1981. Production of the ME Super stopped in 1986.

2980683897_782c907f43_m.jpg 2981538602_96ec49db41_m.jpg 2981538020_a7c95ae929_m.jpg

images by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)

Notes

  1. ↑ ME Super page by Bojidar Dimitrov.


Links

7329990162_74da367c66_m.jpg
ME Super SE
image by wolf4max (Image rights)
Pentax K mount SLR Cameras
K2 | KX | KM | K1000 | MX | ME | ME Super | ME-F | MV | MV1 | MG | LX | Super-A | Program-A | A3 | P30| P30n/P3n/P30t | P50 | SFX/SF1 | SF7/SF10 | SFXn/SF1n | Z-1/PZ-1 | Z-10/PZ-10 | Z-20/PZ-20 | Z-50p | Z-5 | Z-5p | Z-70/PZ-70 | Z-1p/PZ-1p | MZ-5/ZX-5 | MZ-3/ZX-3 | MZ-5N/ZX-5N | MZ-7/ZX-7 | MZ-6/ZX-L | MZ-S | MZ-10/ZX-10 | MZ-50/ZX-50 | MZ-30/ZX-30 | MZ-60/ZX-60 | Pentax *ist | MZ-M/ZX-M
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