Pentax M series

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Pentax ME Super with lens

The Pentax-M series is a series of 35mm SLR cameras from the Japanese company Asahi with K-bayonet and aperture simulation . The most striking feature of the M series, introduced in 1976 with the Pentax ME and Pentax MX models, is their small size and weight for a 35 mm single lens reflex camera with TTL . In addition, the first models of these cameras have a particularly large viewfinder with magnifications from 0.95 × to 0.97 ×. Apart from its compact design, the fully mechanically controlled MX has little in common with the electronically controlled ME (ME = Mini Electronic ) and is therefore not further described here.

In 1977, Pentax launched an equally compact lens series, the M series (SMC Pentax-M), to match the small cameras.

Pentax ME

Pentax ME with attached 35-105 zoom lens

The Pentax ME was built from 1976 to 1980 and is one of the electronic cameras that rely on battery power for shutter control. However, the flash sync time of 1/100 s is controlled mechanically and can therefore be used as an "emergency time" even when the batteries are empty. The exposure metering is TTL and center-weighted integral. At the time of its appearance, it was one of the smallest and lightest 35 mm SLR cameras. Apart from the manual times B and X (1/100 s), the ME has automatic timing as the only operating mode. For operation, an aperture is preselected using the aperture ring on the lens, and the camera selects the appropriate exposure time, which is displayed via a 16-stage row of LEDs in the viewfinder. The exposure metering starts when the shutter release button is tipped.

Data

  • The lock from Seiko (Seiko MFC-E) is a metal lamella shutter ( focal plane shutter ) that runs vertically. The shutter speeds can be set from 8 to 1/1000 s and B, the flash synchronization time is 1/100 s.
  • The self-timer has a lead time of 8 to 9 seconds.
  • The viewfinder is a penta prism with silver coating, the focusing screen was exchangeable by the Pentax service. The viewfinder shows 92% of the film format (95% image width and 98% image height) with a magnification of 0.95 × (50 mm lens at infinity). Three setting aids are used for focusing: focusing screen , microprism ring and sectional image indicator .
  • The adjustable film speed ranges from 12 to 1600 ASA , the exposure compensation is adjustable from ¼ × to 4 ×.
  • Gallium arsenide photodiodes form the light receiving element of the ME Super's lighting and control system.
  • Two 1.5 V silver oxide (G13 / A76, SR44) or 1.5 V alkaline batteries ( LR44 ) are used as batteries; the LEDs on the exposure indicator in the viewfinder also serve as a battery test indicator.

Pentax ME super

The Pentax ME Super was built from 1980 to 1987 as a further development of the ME. In addition to the largely equivalent ME, it received manual exposure control using two buttons, but the housing remained otherwise unchanged.

  • Additionally manual preselection of the exposure time via buttons
  • mechanical (emergency) time and flash synchronization time 1/125 s instead of 1/100 s
  • Faster locking from Seiko (Seiko MFC-E2) with times from 4 s to 1/2000 s instead of 8 s to 1/1000 s
  • additional contact on the accessory shoe for flash automation
  • The mirror has a pneumatic damper

Pentax MV and MV-1

The Pentax MV also appeared in 1980 as a simplified successor model to the ME: it still only controlled automatic timing from 1 to 1/1000 s. The display of the time in the viewfinder, the exposure correction, the connection for winder and it has a smaller viewfinder with only 0.85x magnification have been omitted. However, the flash automation of the ME Super has been integrated. The synchronization time is still 1/100 s. The housing cap is made of plastic. With the MV-1, however, a winder can be used again .

Pentax ME F

The Pentax ME F , introduced in 1981, is Pentax's first single-lens reflex camera with TTL autofocus and is based on the ME Super model. With the special SMC PENTAX AF ZOOM 1: 2.8 35-70mm zoom lens, automatic focusing is possible at the push of a button on the lens. The drive for this sits together with the batteries in a box at the bottom of the lens. For the autofocus, the K bayonet was provided with electrical contacts and called the KF bayonet, but was otherwise no longer used.

Pentax MG

The Pentax MG was introduced in 1981 and has the display of the exposure time again, otherwise it is largely identical to the MV-1.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Archived copy ( memento of the original from March 25, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Mike Johnston: Understanding SLR Viewfinders (English), explanation and comparison of viewfinders in SLR cameras @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.luminous-landscape.com
  2. ^ [1] Arnold Stark: Pentax lens series , section AF lens

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