Pentax ME Super

Review Date
November 8, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
J-Mortimer , Expert

Price Paid
$75.00 at E-Bay

Photography Experience
11-20 years , People

Summary
What can i say. WOW...What a Camera. I originally purchased my 1st mint condition used Pentax ME Super in 1998, well it was a gift more than a purchase and got on so well with the camera that a year down the line in 1999 i purchased myself a 2nd body with standard 50mm Pentax SMC 1.7 lens for a modest fee of £75 in mint condition and still boxed.

These two cameras have been literally everywhere with me and are still battling on with no problems whatsoever. Im a serving member of the British military ( Royal Marines Commando's specifically) so they've had to serve in some pretty tough conditions from the sands of Iraq and Afghanistan, the streets and wastes of Bosnia and also in a variety of other conditions from Kenya and Norway to the USA and Australia to name just a few. These two i own are in the same fantastic condition now as when they were first pruchased.Still working faultlessly and producing some fine images. My personal portfolio just keeps growing.

There is an abundance of quality lenses to be had secondhand both from Pentax SMC lenses to other manufacturers (Tamron, Sigma, Takumar to name just three) and a whole host of other ancillaries (MEII Winder, Independant Mfr Winders, remote releases etc) with which to expand your system. For a modest outlay of cash you can build a very versatile kit based on the ME Super. As i have myself. You have your automatic function/setting if the need arises and also the full creative option of full manual. Mine seem to spend their time permanently on manual as i find its the best way to get the image im after. I love that feeling of being in complete control of the image taking process.

This camera would suit a whole host of potential users in my opinion from Youngsters looking for an entry into SLR photography, photography students, keen amateurs and right upto Professionals looking for a back up to their usual Camera. The reasons for Buying this camera are, in my opinion, too many to list. Its rugged, reliable, accurate, precise and its extremely light and compact compared to many SLR's from its era and even compared with todays digital SLR offerings. I also own a Canon EOS 40D but thats just gathering dust.

All in all this is a true classic thats still as useable today as the day it was first unveiled. A true pleasure. Wouldnt give these up, not a chance.

Strengths
Versatile, Strong reliable metering, crisp, bright and expansive viewfinder coverage, abundance of quality lenses available, many system accessories to choose from (Winders etc), lightweight and compact, rugged and reliable build quality, slick handling and well laid out controls, great functionality, great classic looks.

Weaknesses
The only to my knowledge is a lack of Depth Of Field Preview, though this is just a small glitch and can easily be lived without after a little experience. There are other ways to judge this.

Similar Products Used

Canon AE1 Program
Pentax MX
Pentax P30T

The Pentax ME Super is the only one to have stayed with me though and will remain to do so.

Customer Service
Never used as yet.

Review Date
August 5, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
titrisol , Expert

Price Paid
$0.00 at received from collea

Photography Experience
11-20 years

Summary
A very well built camera, with most of the features you need

Strengths
Size and weight are quite small
Very good light metering system
Availability of lenses and compatibility with all Pentax lenses even the new ones

Weaknesses
No DOF preview

Similar Products Used
A wide range of Pentax Nikon and a few minoltas

Customer Service
not needed

Review Date
June 23, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
kurttarvis , Expert

Price Paid
$0.00 at My aunt gave it to m

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Outdoor

Summary
The Pentax ME Super is a cool camera. It is a lot like the classic Pentax K1000 with it's manual controls but also advances in technology and has very good automatic features as well. This, like the K1000 is a rugged long lasting SLR that has made it's mark on the affordable SLR market.

Strengths
Strong sturdy design, both great manual and automatic features, great shutter, much smaller than many other SLR's

Similar Products Used
Pentax K1000, some old Minolta, Canon EOS 1N

Review Date
June 17, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by
almo , Expert

Price Paid
$10.00 at Nowhere

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Outdoor

Summary
Wow! What a peice of work this camera is. Virtualy indestructable. Built like a miny panzer tank. I received mine as a gift from my father 3 years ago. He bought it in the early 90's at a garage sale for $10.00 complete with bag and 50mm smc lens. This camera has never failed me. I have used plenty of cameras since getting into photography 4 years ago but none stand up to the out right quality of this one. It's what I like to call "Unpacked with features". It has everything you need to create a good photographic image, and nothing you don't. Simply just one of the best ever.

Strengths
tough as nails

reliable

good size

lasts forever

great lens line up

Weaknesses
bearings in the lens mount have gone bad on mine, but it still works. has for years.

Similar Products Used
pentax sf7

Customer Service
none needed, but nonexistant for cameras this old.

Review Date
May 5, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.67 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by
A.Spanswick , Casual

Price Paid
$80.00 at Local store

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Outdoor

Summary
Just fantastic! Got this camera when I stared a college course several years ago, imagining I would upgrade when I knew a bit more about photography. There is no way I would change it now. It is so easy to use and appears totally indesructable. It has been everywhere with me and has always given fantastic results. If anything were ever to go wrong, I would go straight out and buy the same again!

Strengths
Easy to use and get used to.
Easy and cheap to replace should it break (unlikely!).
Does everything I need it to.
Metal body so you can use infra red film in it too.

Weaknesses
If you are shooting a dark scene, it can be hard to see the lights telling you whether the picture is over or under exposed (although you can always just put in on manual and let the camera sort it out for itself).

Similar Products Used
None

Customer Service
Never needed to use it