Pentax ME 35mm SLRs

Pentax ME 35mm SLRs 

DESCRIPTION

Manual focus K-mount, autoexposure SLR made from 1976-1981.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 21  
[Sep 10, 2024]
joedavidson


Strength:

This is the best SLR that https://www.pasadenadrywallpros has recommended to me. It was great!

Weakness:

Nothing so far.

Purchased:
Used  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Aug 05, 2024]
Janwil


Strength:

This is great and I love it! Change of Address Near Me

Weakness:

None so far

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Oct 20, 2023]
joeanderson


Strength:

Looking for a camera that is lightweight, quiet, and vibration-free even when used for macro photography without a mirror lock? Look no further! Our drywall builder recommends this camera for all of these features.

Weakness:

Nothing nothing nothing.

Purchased:
Used  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Jan 28, 2023]
Madmardigan


Strength:

The viewfinder enables me to concentrate on the image; and taking the batteries out further this experience to the point of renewing my experience of the imaging process. Elk Grove Mobile Mechanic

Weakness:

None . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Jan 19, 2023]
disposableser


Strength:

Built in metering, easy to hold, lightweight , compatibility with over 100 nikkor lenses, nice finish, takes good pictures... See:www.normanhandymanservices.com

Weakness:

Shutter speed goes only to 2000..but hey thats fast enough to take alomst any kind of photo

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Oct 27, 2022]
yvettemkflt63


Strength:

I am not a professional photographer but shoot travel and portrait photography for 20 plus years. A few months ago a friend gave me this camera and he was basically shocked with the excellent results that I got out of it. I use manual focus ais lenses and the autofocus dot is surprisingly accurate with the dot confirmation. Lincoln A/C Repair Service

Weakness:

None . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Sep 13, 2022]
kilbackrs


Strength:

Light weight yet quiet and remarkably vibration-free. (I've done macro-work with my ME and it never needed a mirror-lock.) Has a hot shoe AND an X-sync port. - glass repair

Weakness:

none . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Nov 22, 2011]
bbbbbbbbb
Beginner

Strength:

lock option
easy to use
great size
self-timer
easy to load

Weakness:

foggy viewfinder
battery operated shutter speed
not light sensitive

I have inherited this from my Mom and used it for about 4 months. It collected dust in my closet for years until I discovered it's quite useful. I took it to summer camp to try it out with 400 film. It was a breeze to use with the help of a fellow film camera beginner. It took brilliant photos, but also some didn't work out. The colours were vibrant and the focus was beautiful. I would recommend this camera for an easy to use option. The aperture is a little tricky at first but I quickly learned it over the summer. Having the 100x option made it so much better! I have 4 lenses, but i tend to use the wide angle lens included. The macro lens i own is not helpful with focus, mostly just zoom. The two zoom lenses I own i haven't used much due to the speed of the film. I'm very excited to purchase another film camera in the near future!

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 17, 2011]
Luisriva
Intermediate

Strength:

Size and weight
Lens compatibility
Automatic but not really full automatic
Quality building
Battery grip / winder availability

Weakness:

Mirror slap may ruin some pictures depending on lens focal length and speed
The tiny little white button in the shutter speed dial
Focusing split circle is not always useful

Before I chose this model, I researched the features of the Pentax ME, so I knew that it was NOT a full manual camera. Some people points out its lack of manual controls as a weakness, but if you want full manual control, then buy the MX instead.

This camera is well designed and has the right size and weight for small hands. I seriously doubt a guy with large hands can operate the small white button in the shutter speed dial to lock the camera.

It has the typical black leather layer over the metal body of that time. The viewfinder is very nice, however the focusing split circle is useless if you are shooting at moving objects, I rather use my view of the frame to adjust focusing.

The speed range provided by this camera is enough for most situations and also has a Bulb mode for longer exposition if needed.

I don´t plan to use this camera because I have a newer DSLR which I use with the old and new lenses.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax MG

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 20, 2010]
Narsuitus
Professional

Strength:

Size/Weight--its relatively small size and light weight make it ideal for a backpack

Dependability--well-built, rugged, and very dependable

Focusing Screen--has a very useful split-image focusing aid surrounded by a micro prism focusing aid

Light meter--has a useful through-the-lens center-weighted meter

ISO/ASA--good range from 12 to 1600

Auto Exposure--accurate aperture priority

Auto Exposure Compensation--easy to use dial provides +1, +2 and -1, -2 f/stop compensation

Operation--so easy to operate that I didn’t even need an instruction manual

Shutter curtain--has a vertically traveling metal shutter

Shutter release button--threaded for a mechanical cable release

Shutter release dial--has settings for AUTO, 100X, Bulb, and Lock

Shutter release lock--prevents accidentally rotating the shutter release dial off of the AUTO setting

Battery--uses two inexpensive and easy to find 357 batteries

Battery Independence--Even when there is no battery power, the AUTO setting can still deliver one fast shutter speed (probably 1/1000 second). Also, the 100X second shutter speed still works for flash exposures and the Bulb setting still works for timed exposures.

Motor drive--has provision for a motor drive but that would defeat the small size and light weight attribute

Flash--offers hot shoe and PC flash connections

Tripod socket--since it is located in-line with the lens, it makes it easier to shoot panoramas

Cost--relatively inexpensive

Weakness:

Lens mount--wish it used the M42 screw mount instead of the bayonet mount because I have many M42 lenses but only one Pentax bayonet lens

Focusing Screen--not interchangeable

Light meter--no shutter priority or manual exposure modes. If those are needed, get something else like the ME Super

Auto Focus--this is a manual focus camera; therefore, this is a weakness only for those who need auto focus

Battery Dependence--needs functional batteries for the aperture priority auto exposure mode to work

Light meter--does not have a spot meter option

Auto Exposure Compensation Dial--labeled as 2x and 4x instead of +1 and +2; also labeled as 1/2x and 1/4x instead of -1 and -2.

I bought this camera in a lot that included three Pentax Spotmatic bodies, two lenses, and an assortment of photographic accessories. I really did not want or need the ME body but after trying it, I was so impressed that I had to write this review.

Customer Service

Non Needed!

I obtained this camera from an owner who had dropped it from a high closet shelf. It had a big dent in the prism housing. I did not expect it to work but was surprised that not only did it work but the light meter was accurate. I always knew that the Pentax was tough but I had no idea it was that tough.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Spotmatic
Nikon EM
Nikon N70/F70
Nikon F, F2, F3, F4

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 21  

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