I agree! That's why we've tried to get a good picture through there, so everyone can see what different finders look like! It's surprisingly difficult! Thanks for watching! - C
Oh my gosh, thank you so much for creating this tutorial! 😭 I was totally in need of an in depth demonstration on how in the world to operate the Pentax ME Super 😅 Super clear and informative! 👏🏾 This has been extremely helpful for me!
Happy to help! Hope you and your ME Super take great photos. If you ever need help, feel free to reach out to us on Instagram @Kamerastorecom and I'll gladly assist! - Connor
Very helpful review! One of my favorite cameras. One handy thing is that the 1/125 (and i think also the B mode) is mechanical, so if your batteries fail, you'll still be able to guess the exposure or measure with your phone and control the exposure with the aperture ring.
Very very excellent video. This camera was completely alien to me and now I have zero questions about how to use it. Your style is very effective and appreciated - Thank you!
Thanks for this video. A friend of mine gave me this camera, with several different lenses as well as other components that I haven't totally figured out yet. Your video was quite helpful, as I haven't used a pentax before. My last film camera was a Nikon, which I still have. The last few years I've been using Sony and Canon digital. I wasnt even sure how to put in the batteries or check to see if there was any film that had been left in the camera. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for the video. I shoot a Pentax ME with two zoom lenses. I also shoot a Pentax Spotmatic with seven prime lenses. I usually use the Pentax ME as a backup to the Pentax Spotmatic.
Nice save! Glad to help. (-: Little things like that still trip me up after years of working with cameras, no need to feel bad. Thanks for watching! - Connor
I ve got the same camera but even if i put the battery in the light is not turning on how can i fix that i cant use manual mode is there any chance you can help me about this
Thanks for watching Erik! The OM-10 would be a good choice, quite a popular camera and one with a bunch of funky things going on. Glad you enjoyed! - Connor
I received this camera as a gift from my grandmother once she found out I was doing photography, I came here to figure out what the numbers and lights inside the view finder do, unfortunately I don't have the ME super, so its not the same, but hopefully can figure it out
if you have the ME, it's very similar! You just don't have the "manual" mode described in the video. The camera will always pick a shutter speed for you, and uses the LEDs to indicate which shutter speed it will use based on the aperture you have selected. Feel free to message us on IG @kamerastorecom if you need help!
Question: i dont seem to have the LEDs in the viewfinder, could i have the weong batteries in it? Having a hard time getting the right exposure due to this issue. Thanks
Hey! If the LEDs aren't showing up the camera likely isn't working properly. It's possible your batteries are the incorrect type, dead, or oriented incorrectly. It's also possible that the LEDs are not working properly. To test this, fire the shutter at a bright light and then again at a dark shadow. If the shutter speed changes (it should be a noticeable difference) then the camera's autoexposure system is working. The ME Super's shutter WILL fire without batteries at the flash sync speed of 1/100s. Hope that helps! - Connor
gr8 overview on a vintage Super; I hadda silver-top Super i/t mid-80s when the tech was current & I hadda full head o'hair & mullet 2 match🤣. I remember rejecting the new-fangled Pgm cameras emerging in favour of plain Auto/Manual. Can't remember wot happened 2 that silver-top now .. but decades later I'm re-enthused by most things analogue incl film photography & havvan all-black Super in service. Don't think I appreciated the form factor & compactness innovation of the time .. i do now. Ironically it's the electronix that'll derail repair/servicing on these now "vintage" beauties. Lookin' 4ward getting mine back 2 enjoy. Still lotsa k-mount lenses 4 these but my favs would be M-50/f1.7 or 1.4. Lookin' attan MX now ..
They're great take-everywhere SLRs, Terry! Super compact, yet still well-built and capable. A 35mm lens would suit it almost as well as their 40mm pancake lens! Thanks for watching! - Connor
Hello, this video is super helpful! I was just wondering if you have any suggestions for what kind of film or what brand you like best, or which one would be best for this camera. I am new to film and this camera is my first one.
Any 35mm film will do great. If you want black and white Ilford Hp5 or Kodak Trix are amazing. For color we suggest you try Portra 400, its easy to shoot and performs amazingly.
Thank you for reviewing this type of camera, someone gave me a few types of cameras like that, I've been needing to know how they could work. #photographylover
So i just bought this camera from a vintage store and i dont see the little dots in the viewfinder. Why? Does this mean that the camera doesn’t work or something?😅
Did you put fresh batteries in and make sure they're installed properly? Does the shutter fire on "A" mode? It's possible that something is wrong with the camera but it's good to double check the user controls before assuming that. Happy to help troubleshoot! - Connor
Aperture numbers correspond more to depth of field than lens sharpness. You can get very usable results at almost any aperture. Most lenses are at peak sharpness between f5.6 and f8, though. Hope that helps! - Connor
Really good video...thanks for being SO thorough. The only question was on the exposure compensation that it says 1x and is that equal to 0 on most digital cameras today (default)
Yes Mateo, 1x is equal to 0 on digital cameras. 1x gives you the default reading from the meter rather than adjusting it. Thanks for watching! - Connor
Hi there im having a problem where the mode dial on my camera is stuck in the "auto" possition and wont turn to any of the other modes and thoughts on how to fix?
Hey Chuck! If the white "lock" button is stuck, you can try to use some basic window-cleaner with a Q-tip to free it. That lock is normally what prevents the dial from rotating. That being said, the ME Super is most useful in the auto position so if it's not impacting your use tremendously I would probably recommend you leave it alone rather than attempt to disassemble and repair the camera yourself. Thanks for watching! - Connor
My Pentax ME Super is not registering changes done to the Aperture Ring, lens aperture blades and ring work smoothly but whenever i change aperture, the shutter speed just stays the same as if it was wide open
Sorry to hear that, Luigi! It's possible there's an issue with the camera's aperture linkage mechanism, AKA the parts that communicate the lens aperture to the camera. With the camera in A mode, you should be seeing changes to the settings in the viewfinder. Are you sure your batteries are fresh? Have you tried firing the shutter on different aperture settings to see if the shutter speed changes? It's possible only the LEDs are not working properly as well. Hope that helps, and thanks for watching! - Connor
Thanks for the video, I've had a K1000 forever, and I recently found an ME Super. Does the ME Super have to powered on before the lens release button will depress? While I'm waiting for LR44 batteries to arrive from Amazon, I cannot get the lens off. The release won't depress. So just wondering if I'm doing something wrong. Thanks.
The lens should be able to come off even if the camera doesn't have power. It's possible there's some rust or other gunk stuck in the lens mounting mechanism. Feel free to send us a short video or some photos on Instagram @kamerastorecom and we can give you a bit more thorough help troubleshooting it! - Connor
@@Kamerastore Thank you, I was able to get the lens off, it seems the depressing lever is slightly bent. I guess the previous owner dropped it and that is the end result. The batteries are in, the meter works well. The winder lever cocks fine and seems to advance ok, however, the shutter doesn't release (the mirror doesn't move up out of the way) to take the picture. Does it have to have film in the camera for the shutter to open and close? Or am I missing something? Thanks
@@dennisleavell5849 No, the shutter should fire at all times! Even without a battery. Try to fire the shutter with no lens on the camera. It's possible that the same drop that bent the lens release mechanism has also damaged the mirror mechanism. - C
Every time I try to take a photo it doesn’t take it. I pull the lever to move the film and click to take a picture but it doesn’t do it :c what could be wrong? Or am I missing something
Hey Fern! Any 35mm film will work. That format was standardized a long time ago! You may also see it referred to as 135 format film, but it's 99% called 35mm. Feel free to send us a photo on Instagram @kamerastorecom if you're in the store and unsure, we're happy to verify for you! - Connor
You’ll have to get another battery cover to fully utilize the camera, yes. I was able to find a few sellers that had them on eBay, so I’d check there! Thanks for watching! - Connor
Hi this may be a silly question but is there a way to turn the camera off so that it doesn't use any battery? Or does it just turn off automatically after a while that you haven't pressed the shutter or the speed buttons? Is that enough to have it completely off and not having to worry about the battery getting drained? I used an Olympus FTL before and it has an off/on button so I feel strange just leaving the camera as is once I'm done and want to be sure my batteries will last. Thanks!
Hey Elena! Not a silly question at all. The camera automatically turns "off" when the meter lights aren't on, but you can also put the camera to "L" mode, which will lock the shutter and prevent the batteries from draining unnecessarily if the camera's in a bag or something. Hope that helps! - Connor
@@Kamerastore Great, thank you so much! I found this camera at my uncle's house and got the 35mm 2.8 lens to mount on it. I should get it today and can't wait to bring this little camera with me everywhere
@@elenapizzetti6053 I hope it serves you well! If you're ever interested in some new lenses or accessories, don't forget to check out our shop! - Connor
Hey Luca! Sorry for the delay. No, the LEDs should show up even without film in the camera. They show up when you half-press the shutter button. Hope that helps! - Connor
Hey Brandon! It's possible the camera has an electronic issue. Does the shutter speed change with the batteries in? IE if you fire the camera with it facing a bright light and then fire it again while covering the lens, does the sound of the shutter seem longer? If so, then the LEDs in the viewfinder might be the only issue. If not, it's possible the camera's electronics aren't working properly. You can always send us a video on Instagram @kamerastorecom , we can probably help more there. Thanks for watching! - Connor
Hi, the batteries of the shutter speed don't work for me. I have downloaded a LightMeter app on my phone and I was wondering if I have any way of knowing the exact aperture ring for every picture using this app, even if the shutter doesn't work? Or do you suggest setting it at 1/125 mechanically and adapt that to the corresponding aperture ring indicated in the app? I guess last resort is to set it on Automatic mode and change the aperture ring roughly depending on how dark/light it is outside (and therefore not using the lightmeter app)... Thanks for your help!
Hey Lara, I assume your issue is that the lights in the viewfinder aren't working. If the shutter is still reacting to light in automatic mode (IE using a slower shutter speed in the dark than when pointed at a bright light) then you can leave the camera in automatic mode. I will say that your experience using this camera without the LEDs will be more difficult since the LEDs are meant to tell you whether or not taking a photo is possible without camera shake. Using a light meter app doesn't help much with the ME Super since you can't see what shutter speed you have selected in manual mode. Like you said, setting the aperture generally based on the lighting conditions (small numbers in low light, big numbers in bright light) will give the camera the best chance to pick a useful shutter speed. This is all assuming the camera exposes correctly in automatic mode. If it doesn't, it would probably be easier to find a new camera. I'd also recommend you check out our site, we have ME Supers for sale that have no issues and work as intended. Some have even been fully repaired by our mechanics!
Hey there! In most situations, you're going to want to aim for a shutter speed from 1/125s to 1/1000s. Anything lower than that and you risk having your hands shake when you fire the shutter. Otherwise, aperture is a creative tool that affects the look of your photos! Higher numbers = more area in focus, so f22 will give you more in focus than f2. The other side of this, though, is that lower numbers give you a stronger "depth of field" effect, as in a soft background with bokeh, if you're familiar. Most lenses are sharpnest towards the middle of the range, around f4 to f8. So if you're looking for soft backgrounds, ie for portraiture, or you're shooting in low light, go for lower numbers. If you're in bright environments or wanting to get a lot in focus, ie for landscapes, go for higher numbers! Also feel free to message us on Instagram @kamerastorecom if you have more questions! Thanks for watching! - Connor
The camera is battery dependent, so it can't really be used at all without the battery. If your LEDs break (which is very rare) you can always use the camera in automatic mode if you have a basic understanding of light and aperture levels! For a true beginner it might be hard, though. We have tested and checked ME Supers and other Pentax cameras on our site for sale right now (-: Thanks for watching! - Connor
Hi! The prism is not removable on either the ME Super or Spotmatic SP. We don't recommend disassembling your own cameras without training unless you're fully okay with the idea of the camera never working properly again. Thanks for watching! - Connor
@@Kamerastore Hi Connor, thank you for the knowledge. Im actually trying to find suitable prism for my spotmatic 1. It had a desilvering when viewed through the viewfinder. It gets annoying quickly but i will live with it until i find a good prism. And yes i enjoyed the video thanks! -Ruzaini
I actually have 3 of these types of cameras. I wanna sell them but I’m not sure how much I should sell them for. I said 20 bucks for all but what do you think?
my exposure compensation seems to work in reverse where 1/4x and 1/2x doubles and quadruples the exposure, where as 2x and 4x divide by 2 and 4.... any idea what is happening? Because the written manual says +should be adding stops.
It should be adding stops! That doesn't seem right. It's possible your camera just has a very peculiar electronic issue because I haven't seen that before! If you're able to use the camera normally, maybe it's better to just ignore the exposure compensation. Thanks for watching. - Connor
I have a lens with a green A on the aperture ring just next to the 22. Is this usable with the ME Super or is the body only capable of Aperture priority mode in Auto? Should I just avoid using the A setting on the lens?
my shutter doesn't go off but it doesn't have a battery yet, is that why? also I can't see through the viewfinder but that's because the little mirror thing inside the camera before I put the lease on is facing down, could that be why?
Hey there! The ME Super requires batteries for all shutter speeds aside from 1/100s and all light metering functions. It can technically take photos without batteries, but I wouldn't recommend it as you lose out on almost all the camera's functions. There are other cameras that don't need batteries for the shutter that I'd recommend over the ME Super. Hope that helps! - Connor
are any lights showing up at all? If the camera is not receiving power from the batteries, the LEDs won't light up. There's also a chance the LEDs are just not working. Set the camera in auto mode and fire the shutter while it's pointed at a light. Then cover the lens with your hand and fire the shutter again. If the shutter stays open a lot longer when you cover it with your hand, then the internal electronics are at least reacting to light! Feel free to message us on Instagram @kamerastorecom for more help! - C
What do you mean rotated on its axis? The split prism focusing device is part of a larger piece of glass called a "focusing screen" that can't move around in the camera. If it somehow became dislodged, the camera would be unusable. You can see the focusing screen by looking inside the front of the camera when no lens is attached. It's directly above the mirror. Happy to help more over on Instagram @Kamerastorecom ! - Connor
May not be useful since you asked 9 months ago... You most likely have an SE version of the ME super, only difference is that your central prism is in diagonal rather than horizontal, this is like this from factory. I have the same and it seems to work as the other version, you focus until it is aligned. Only issue I have is I dont get a sharp focus when the prism is aligned. Have you ever tested your camera with Film?
Does the shutter still fire? Do the speeds still change in auto mode? If it's only the LEDs that aren't working and the rest of the camera is reacting to light normally, then you can at least use it in auto mode! Just use wider apertures in low light and narrower ones in high light, and let the camera pick a shutter speed for you! - C
We could definitely play with some Zeiss Ikon cameras! I learned photography on a Contaflex IV, so I love quirky German engineering. We have a video coming out soon reviewing the Voigtländer Superb that may be up your alley. Be on the lookout! - C
thinking about people who are quite new to film and searching for basics on the camera they inherited from a grandparent, found in an attic, stuff like that. (: Popular models like the ME Super will help more people that ultra-specific, weird stuff even if part of our audience would LOVE a deep dive on esoteric cameras. Maybe we'll find time for both, if these videos are successful! - C
Shop Pentax ME Super here: kamerastore.com/
This is a very useful review! I wish more reviewers would SHOW viewfinders instead of just describing them.
I agree! That's why we've tried to get a good picture through there, so everyone can see what different finders look like! It's surprisingly difficult! Thanks for watching! - C
This was my first camera in 1984, lots of happy memories and great pictures.
Oh my gosh, thank you so much for creating this tutorial! 😭
I was totally in need of an in depth demonstration on how in the world to operate the Pentax ME Super 😅
Super clear and informative! 👏🏾
This has been extremely helpful for me!
Happy to help! Hope you and your ME Super take great photos. If you ever need help, feel free to reach out to us on Instagram @Kamerastorecom and I'll gladly assist!
- Connor
@@Kamerastore Amazing, thanks so much!!
Very helpful review! One of my favorite cameras. One handy thing is that the 1/125 (and i think also the B mode) is mechanical, so if your batteries fail, you'll still be able to guess the exposure or measure with your phone and control the exposure with the aperture ring.
Thank you!! I just got this camera as a gift and I'm new to film. This is perfect!
enjoy it! if you have any questions, feel free to message us on IG at @kamerastorecom ! We'd be happy to help. - C
I bought a Pentax ME Super this week, and this review managed to explain better how it works in auto and manual mode, thank you very much.
Enjoy your camera, Pedro! Thanks for watching!
- Connor
This video finally made my ME Super make sense! It feels like the videos where Mr Rogers would show you how things are made 🥰
Happy to help, Danielle! Hope you take some beautiful photos with your ME Super! Thanks for watching. (-:
- Connor
Thanks for making this super easy to follow tutorial. My dad's passed his camera onto me and I want to learn how to take good photos like he used to 😊
Good luck! Glad to hear the video was helpful (-: Enjoy your ME Super!
- Connor
Very very excellent video. This camera was completely alien to me and now I have zero questions about how to use it. Your style is very effective and appreciated - Thank you!
Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!
- Connor
Perfect video. Everything I needed. I was shocked to see how many subs you have, I was expecting way more. Thankyou
Thanks for watching Cole! Glad we could help. (-:
- Connor
The most useful video about this camera on youtube I guess. Thank you!
Just got one for 100$ with a 50mm lens and a telephoto 200mm lens this video is super helpful thanks
I've been trying to learn how to use my dad's Pentax ME Super and this video was extremely helpful! - Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful! If you ever have questions, feel free to reach out to us on Instagram @Kamerastorecom , happy to help.
- Connor
OHHHH OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH. 1:50 I didnt know you had to LIFT the iso ring thing!!!
Glad it helped! There is always something we all miss from cameras. Enjoy your Pentax!
@@Kamerastore thank you! Have a nice day!
Thanks for this video. A friend of mine gave me this camera, with several different lenses as well as other components that I haven't totally figured out yet. Your video was quite helpful, as I haven't used a pentax before. My last film camera was a Nikon, which I still have. The last few years I've been using Sony and Canon digital. I wasnt even sure how to put in the batteries or check to see if there was any film that had been left in the camera. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for watching! Glad to hear the video was helpful to you. (-: Enjoy your ME Super!
- Connor
Thank you for the video! Really helpful and easy to understand for a beginner
Glad you enjoyed! Feel free to reach out to us on Instagram @Kamerastorecom if you have any more questions or need help troubleshooting!
- Connor
Thanks for the video.
I shoot a Pentax ME with two zoom lenses.
I also shoot a Pentax Spotmatic with seven prime lenses.
I usually use the Pentax ME as a backup to the Pentax Spotmatic.
Great video! Just received my camera today this video helped a lot, thanks for sharing 😁
Glad it helped!
Thank you so much for this so simple and straightforward instructions and so well filmed. Just received mine. A great help thanks.
Thanks, this was so useful. Can’t wait to get started
Good luck with your Pentax! Thanks for watching (-:
- Connor
Fantastic tutorial. Thank you very much for this. I learnt alot about the camera I got
Great to hear! -Tuomas
thank yah kindly picked one up for 2$ and it still looks good to go
Thats a great deal you got!
thank you so much for this video.
I thought my pentax's light meter is dead, turns out my battery placement is wrong. Thanks to your video. I was about to sell it. 🤦🏽♂️
Nice save! Glad to help. (-: Little things like that still trip me up after years of working with cameras, no need to feel bad. Thanks for watching!
- Connor
@@Kamerastore loaded a film on this bad boy the other day. Clicked once and realised my ISO is on 1600 (film 400).
Very nice overview, thank you!
I ve got the same camera but even if i put the battery in the light is not turning on how can i fix that i cant use manual mode is there any chance you can help me about this
Does the battery slot have erosion that can be 1 reason
This video is perfect. Cleanly shot and everything explained well. You should do an olympus om10 video!
Thanks for watching Erik! The OM-10 would be a good choice, quite a popular camera and one with a bunch of funky things going on. Glad you enjoyed!
- Connor
I received this camera as a gift from my grandmother once she found out I was doing photography, I came here to figure out what the numbers and lights inside the view finder do, unfortunately I don't have the ME super, so its not the same, but hopefully can figure it out
if you have the ME, it's very similar! You just don't have the "manual" mode described in the video. The camera will always pick a shutter speed for you, and uses the LEDs to indicate which shutter speed it will use based on the aperture you have selected. Feel free to message us on IG @kamerastorecom if you need help!
Very helpful ! I was loading the film wrong and was wondering why no pictures were showing up
That's why we're here! Feel free to send us a message on instagram @Kamerastorecom if you have any more questions about your ME Super!
Very well explaned !Thank you
Thanks for watching! (-:
- Connor
Question: i dont seem to have the LEDs in the viewfinder, could i have the weong batteries in it? Having a hard time getting the right exposure due to this issue. Thanks
Hey! If the LEDs aren't showing up the camera likely isn't working properly. It's possible your batteries are the incorrect type, dead, or oriented incorrectly. It's also possible that the LEDs are not working properly. To test this, fire the shutter at a bright light and then again at a dark shadow. If the shutter speed changes (it should be a noticeable difference) then the camera's autoexposure system is working. The ME Super's shutter WILL fire without batteries at the flash sync speed of 1/100s. Hope that helps!
- Connor
Excellent review. Thank you very much.
Thanks for watching, Richard! Glad we could help.
- Connor
Well done. Thank you.
Glad to help! Thanks for watching!
- Connor
gr8 overview on a vintage Super; I hadda silver-top Super i/t mid-80s when the tech was current & I hadda full head o'hair & mullet 2 match🤣. I remember rejecting the new-fangled Pgm cameras emerging in favour of plain Auto/Manual. Can't remember wot happened 2 that silver-top now .. but decades later I'm re-enthused by most things analogue incl film photography & havvan all-black Super in service. Don't think I appreciated the form factor & compactness innovation of the time .. i do now. Ironically it's the electronix that'll derail repair/servicing on these now "vintage" beauties. Lookin' 4ward getting mine back 2 enjoy. Still lotsa k-mount lenses 4 these but my favs would be M-50/f1.7 or 1.4. Lookin' attan MX now ..
Great video. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
- Connor
real helped me a lot
Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching (-:
- Connor
I would love to see you do a video on the Olympus OM30.
Awesome thank you!
How do you activate the LEDs?
I am thinking of picking one of these up. Would make a great walk around street shooter with the 35mm F2.8 lens i think.
They're great take-everywhere SLRs, Terry! Super compact, yet still well-built and capable. A 35mm lens would suit it almost as well as their 40mm pancake lens! Thanks for watching!
- Connor
@@Kamerastore Took a look at the 40mm thank you :) Yes the 40mm stopped down to F8 prefocused at 15 meters and boom fantastic very small street kit.
Hello, this video is super helpful! I was just wondering if you have any suggestions for what kind of film or what brand you like best, or which one would be best for this camera. I am new to film and this camera is my first one.
Any 35mm film will do great. If you want black and white Ilford Hp5 or Kodak Trix are amazing. For color we suggest you try Portra 400, its easy to shoot and performs amazingly.
Super helpful! Thank you!
Thank you for reviewing this type of camera, someone gave me a few types of cameras like that, I've been needing to know how they could work. #photographylover
So i just bought this camera from a vintage store and i dont see the little dots in the viewfinder. Why? Does this mean that the camera doesn’t work or something?😅
Did you put fresh batteries in and make sure they're installed properly? Does the shutter fire on "A" mode? It's possible that something is wrong with the camera but it's good to double check the user controls before assuming that. Happy to help troubleshoot!
- Connor
For the automatic mode: wich would be the most accurate lens opening?
Aperture numbers correspond more to depth of field than lens sharpness. You can get very usable results at almost any aperture. Most lenses are at peak sharpness between f5.6 and f8, though. Hope that helps!
- Connor
Really good video...thanks for being SO thorough. The only question was on the exposure compensation that it says 1x and is that equal to 0 on most digital cameras today (default)
Yes Mateo, 1x is equal to 0 on digital cameras. 1x gives you the default reading from the meter rather than adjusting it. Thanks for watching!
- Connor
Hi there im having a problem where the mode dial on my camera is stuck in the "auto" possition and wont turn to any of the other modes and thoughts on how to fix?
Hey Chuck! If the white "lock" button is stuck, you can try to use some basic window-cleaner with a Q-tip to free it. That lock is normally what prevents the dial from rotating.
That being said, the ME Super is most useful in the auto position so if it's not impacting your use tremendously I would probably recommend you leave it alone rather than attempt to disassemble and repair the camera yourself. Thanks for watching!
- Connor
My Pentax ME Super is not registering changes done to the Aperture Ring, lens aperture blades and ring work smoothly but whenever i change aperture, the shutter speed just stays the same as if it was wide open
Sorry to hear that, Luigi! It's possible there's an issue with the camera's aperture linkage mechanism, AKA the parts that communicate the lens aperture to the camera. With the camera in A mode, you should be seeing changes to the settings in the viewfinder. Are you sure your batteries are fresh? Have you tried firing the shutter on different aperture settings to see if the shutter speed changes? It's possible only the LEDs are not working properly as well. Hope that helps, and thanks for watching!
- Connor
Thanks for the video, I've had a K1000 forever, and I recently found an ME Super. Does the ME Super have to powered on before the lens release button will depress? While I'm waiting for LR44 batteries to arrive from Amazon, I cannot get the lens off. The release won't depress. So just wondering if I'm doing something wrong. Thanks.
The lens should be able to come off even if the camera doesn't have power. It's possible there's some rust or other gunk stuck in the lens mounting mechanism. Feel free to send us a short video or some photos on Instagram @kamerastorecom and we can give you a bit more thorough help troubleshooting it!
- Connor
@@Kamerastore Thank you, I was able to get the lens off, it seems the depressing lever is slightly bent. I guess the previous owner dropped it and that is the end result. The batteries are in, the meter works well. The winder lever cocks fine and seems to advance ok, however, the shutter doesn't release (the mirror doesn't move up out of the way) to take the picture. Does it have to have film in the camera for the shutter to open and close? Or am I missing something? Thanks
@@dennisleavell5849 No, the shutter should fire at all times! Even without a battery. Try to fire the shutter with no lens on the camera. It's possible that the same drop that bent the lens release mechanism has also damaged the mirror mechanism.
- C
Every time I try to take a photo it doesn’t take it. I pull the lever to move the film and click to take a picture but it doesn’t do it :c what could be wrong? Or am I missing something
Just bought a Pentax ME as my first film camera. How do I know the correct film to load into this camera?
Hey Fern! Any 35mm film will work. That format was standardized a long time ago! You may also see it referred to as 135 format film, but it's 99% called 35mm. Feel free to send us a photo on Instagram @kamerastorecom if you're in the store and unsure, we're happy to verify for you!
- Connor
I have lost the battery cover for the camera. What do you suggest I do? Does it make the camera useless now because of this
You’ll have to get another battery cover to fully utilize the camera, yes. I was able to find a few sellers that had them on eBay, so I’d check there! Thanks for watching!
- Connor
Hi this may be a silly question but is there a way to turn the camera off so that it doesn't use any battery? Or does it just turn off automatically after a while that you haven't pressed the shutter or the speed buttons? Is that enough to have it completely off and not having to worry about the battery getting drained? I used an Olympus FTL before and it has an off/on button so I feel strange just leaving the camera as is once I'm done and want to be sure my batteries will last. Thanks!
Hey Elena! Not a silly question at all. The camera automatically turns "off" when the meter lights aren't on, but you can also put the camera to "L" mode, which will lock the shutter and prevent the batteries from draining unnecessarily if the camera's in a bag or something. Hope that helps!
- Connor
@@Kamerastore Great, thank you so much! I found this camera at my uncle's house and got the 35mm 2.8 lens to mount on it. I should get it today and can't wait to bring this little camera with me everywhere
@@elenapizzetti6053 I hope it serves you well! If you're ever interested in some new lenses or accessories, don't forget to check out our shop!
- Connor
Great video but I have a question. Do the LEDs in the viewfinder light up only with the film inserted?
Hey Luca! Sorry for the delay. No, the LEDs should show up even without film in the camera. They show up when you half-press the shutter button. Hope that helps!
- Connor
What if I don’t see the green dots or anything on the side at 5:59 ? I have new batteries in
Hey Brandon! It's possible the camera has an electronic issue. Does the shutter speed change with the batteries in? IE if you fire the camera with it facing a bright light and then fire it again while covering the lens, does the sound of the shutter seem longer? If so, then the LEDs in the viewfinder might be the only issue. If not, it's possible the camera's electronics aren't working properly. You can always send us a video on Instagram @kamerastorecom , we can probably help more there. Thanks for watching!
- Connor
Hi, the batteries of the shutter speed don't work for me. I have downloaded a LightMeter app on my phone and I was wondering if I have any way of knowing the exact aperture ring for every picture using this app, even if the shutter doesn't work? Or do you suggest setting it at 1/125 mechanically and adapt that to the corresponding aperture ring indicated in the app?
I guess last resort is to set it on Automatic mode and change the aperture ring roughly depending on how dark/light it is outside (and therefore not using the lightmeter app)...
Thanks for your help!
Hey Lara, I assume your issue is that the lights in the viewfinder aren't working. If the shutter is still reacting to light in automatic mode (IE using a slower shutter speed in the dark than when pointed at a bright light) then you can leave the camera in automatic mode. I will say that your experience using this camera without the LEDs will be more difficult since the LEDs are meant to tell you whether or not taking a photo is possible without camera shake. Using a light meter app doesn't help much with the ME Super since you can't see what shutter speed you have selected in manual mode.
Like you said, setting the aperture generally based on the lighting conditions (small numbers in low light, big numbers in bright light) will give the camera the best chance to pick a useful shutter speed. This is all assuming the camera exposes correctly in automatic mode. If it doesn't, it would probably be easier to find a new camera.
I'd also recommend you check out our site, we have ME Supers for sale that have no issues and work as intended. Some have even been fully repaired by our mechanics!
Thank you for the video! How do you know which aperture to select in auto mode?
Hey there!
In most situations, you're going to want to aim for a shutter speed from 1/125s to 1/1000s. Anything lower than that and you risk having your hands shake when you fire the shutter. Otherwise, aperture is a creative tool that affects the look of your photos! Higher numbers = more area in focus, so f22 will give you more in focus than f2. The other side of this, though, is that lower numbers give you a stronger "depth of field" effect, as in a soft background with bokeh, if you're familiar. Most lenses are sharpnest towards the middle of the range, around f4 to f8.
So if you're looking for soft backgrounds, ie for portraiture, or you're shooting in low light, go for lower numbers. If you're in bright environments or wanting to get a lot in focus, ie for landscapes, go for higher numbers!
Also feel free to message us on Instagram @kamerastorecom if you have more questions! Thanks for watching!
- Connor
Hello, the lever on my ME Super can't go further than midway .. anyone already encountered this issue ?
Since the shutter only show in led, it means when the led or battery broke we cannot se e the shutter settings at all? Its kinda useless then
The camera is battery dependent, so it can't really be used at all without the battery. If your LEDs break (which is very rare) you can always use the camera in automatic mode if you have a basic understanding of light and aperture levels! For a true beginner it might be hard, though.
We have tested and checked ME Supers and other Pentax cameras on our site for sale right now (-: Thanks for watching!
- Connor
can the prism be used for spotmatic sp?
Hi! The prism is not removable on either the ME Super or Spotmatic SP. We don't recommend disassembling your own cameras without training unless you're fully okay with the idea of the camera never working properly again. Thanks for watching!
- Connor
@@Kamerastore Hi Connor, thank you for the knowledge. Im actually trying to find suitable prism for my spotmatic 1. It had a desilvering when viewed through the viewfinder. It gets annoying quickly but i will live with it until i find a good prism. And yes i enjoyed the video thanks!
-Ruzaini
I actually have 3 of these types of cameras. I wanna sell them but I’m not sure how much I should sell them for. I said 20 bucks for all but what do you think?
Really depends on their condition. We sell working ones for about 150€ but then some "not passed" ones for 30€. :/ -Tuomas
my exposure compensation seems to work in reverse where 1/4x and 1/2x doubles and quadruples the exposure, where as 2x and 4x divide by 2 and 4.... any idea what is happening? Because the written manual says +should be adding stops.
It should be adding stops! That doesn't seem right. It's possible your camera just has a very peculiar electronic issue because I haven't seen that before! If you're able to use the camera normally, maybe it's better to just ignore the exposure compensation. Thanks for watching.
- Connor
I have a lens with a green A on the aperture ring just next to the 22. Is this usable with the ME Super or is the body only capable of Aperture priority mode in Auto? Should I just avoid using the A setting on the lens?
The ME Super can use that lens, but only when you have a number selected! The A is for later models that could select an aperture for you.
my shutter doesn't go off but it doesn't have a battery yet, is that why? also I can't see through the viewfinder but that's because the little mirror thing inside the camera before I put the lease on is facing down, could that be why?
Putting a battery inside the camera should fix all these issues! The ME Super only works with batteries inside. Thanks for watching, Rose!
- Connor
Can I use a Pentax me super without batteries successfully?
Hey there! The ME Super requires batteries for all shutter speeds aside from 1/100s and all light metering functions. It can technically take photos without batteries, but I wouldn't recommend it as you lose out on almost all the camera's functions. There are other cameras that don't need batteries for the shutter that I'd recommend over the ME Super. Hope that helps!
- Connor
Hello, thanks for the Video, its great. But can you help me out ? i did everything but there is no green light to the left ..
are any lights showing up at all? If the camera is not receiving power from the batteries, the LEDs won't light up. There's also a chance the LEDs are just not working. Set the camera in auto mode and fire the shutter while it's pointed at a light. Then cover the lens with your hand and fire the shutter again. If the shutter stays open a lot longer when you cover it with your hand, then the internal electronics are at least reacting to light! Feel free to message us on Instagram @kamerastorecom for more help! - C
My split prism is rotated on its axis is that bad and unusable?? It still focus’
What do you mean rotated on its axis? The split prism focusing device is part of a larger piece of glass called a "focusing screen" that can't move around in the camera. If it somehow became dislodged, the camera would be unusable. You can see the focusing screen by looking inside the front of the camera when no lens is attached. It's directly above the mirror.
Happy to help more over on Instagram @Kamerastorecom !
- Connor
May not be useful since you asked 9 months ago... You most likely have an SE version of the ME super, only difference is that your central prism is in diagonal rather than horizontal, this is like this from factory. I have the same and it seems to work as the other version, you focus until it is aligned. Only issue I have is I dont get a sharp focus when the prism is aligned. Have you ever tested your camera with Film?
What if your view finder leds don't work. I've already replaced batteries for it and it still didn't work. How can I still use it?
Does the shutter still fire? Do the speeds still change in auto mode? If it's only the LEDs that aren't working and the rest of the camera is reacting to light normally, then you can at least use it in auto mode! Just use wider apertures in low light and narrower ones in high light, and let the camera pick a shutter speed for you! - C
The Contessamatic E is a tricky camera, and if you happen to have an Ihagee Patent Duplex, or a Solida (1938). Thanks, stay safe. Peace
We could definitely play with some Zeiss Ikon cameras! I learned photography on a Contaflex IV, so I love quirky German engineering. We have a video coming out soon reviewing the Voigtländer Superb that may be up your alley. Be on the lookout! - C
just picked up one for 8usd
Do you know how to take a photo?
follow the instructions in the guide and you'll be able to take photos using the Pentax ME Super! - C
😆 You’re going to go out of your mind making how-to videos for utterly conventional cameras!
thinking about people who are quite new to film and searching for basics on the camera they inherited from a grandparent, found in an attic, stuff like that. (: Popular models like the ME Super will help more people that ultra-specific, weird stuff even if part of our audience would LOVE a deep dive on esoteric cameras. Maybe we'll find time for both, if these videos are successful! - C
@@Kamerastore Makes sense.
@@stevenpam alternative answer: I'm already out of my mind, and this is a symptom rather than the cause... Guess we'll never know!
🤣 🤣 🤣
Need help when I use my camera the same ad your camera why do I not hear clicking when I take a picture?