Pentax ME 35mm SLR w/ SMC Pentax M 50mm f2 lens (serial 3704402)

The Pentax ME is, to the best of our knowledge, the smallest full frame 35mm film SLR ever made.

This is a very easy-to-use SLR. It's primarily an aperture-priority camera (meaning you choose the f-stop on the lens and camera automatically selects a shutter speed) with a plus/minus two stop exposure compensation dial; it also provides a 1/100 mechanical shutter speed (which is used for flash), and a bulb release mode.  

Battery information

The Pentax ME requires two 357 type batteries (available as an option).

Battery life (according to the manual): "Under normal conditions, one set of batteries will last about one year or operate the electronic shutter approximately 10,000 times. lf batteries are active, one of the LED dots will light when you depress the shutter release button. lf they are weak, the LED dot will just flicker as a warning for battery replacement. lf the batteries are dead, the LED will not light".

Condition notes

We tested this camera and lens and all features are working correctly. Its shutter speed and exposure accuracy are very good. This camera and lens is in very good cosmetic condition with some wear from use (see photos). We replaced the film channel light seals with 2-ply cotton yarn seals that should never degrade.

Video overview

This was not done by us, but this video does a good job showing how the Pentax ME works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8nJTX6T-xw

Vintage ad

This vintage ad offers a good overview of the Pentax ME's features:
https://web.archive.org/web/20041212094851/http://mcfaddenphoto.com/camera_manuals/pdf/PentaxME_ad_PopPhoto03-1979.pdf

Manual

https://www.cameramanuals.org/pentax_pdf/pentax_me.pdf

Specifications

• Type: 35mm full-frame SR camera with aperture preferred automatic
  
• exposure electronic focal-plane shutter and open-aperture center-
  
• weighted Through-The-Lens metering.
  
• Lens mount: Pentax K bayonet.
  
• Standard lenses: SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2; SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4; SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7; SMC Pentax-M 40mm f/2.8
  
• Shutter: Seiko MC vertical-run metal focal-plane shutter; automatic exposure electronically controlled between 8 and 1/1000 sec. manual mechanical speed of 1/100 sec. plus B; provided with shutter button lock and "Cocked" indicator.
  
• Flash synchronization: X socket on front of camera body, plus X-contact hot/cold accessory
  
• shoe; X flash synchronizing at 1/100 sec.
  
• Self-timer: Delays shutter release 4~12 seconds. 
  
• Viewfinder: Silver-coated pentaprism finder; split-image microprism focusing screen; 92% of picture-taking area visible and 0.97x magnification (with 50mm lens at infinity); -0.5 diopter eyepiece. LED dots inside viewfinder indicate automatically selected shutter speeds, plus over and under exposure warning. Correction lens adaptor M, Magnifier M and Refconverter M fit the viewfinder frame.
  
• Mirror and diaphragm: Instant-return mirror and automatic diaphragm.
  
• Film wind and rewind: Single-stroke rapid wind lever, plastic-tipped for winding comfort. 135° throw with stand-off angle of 30°. Rapid rewind crank for speedy film rewind
  
• Film loading: New magic-needle quick/sure loading.
  
• Automatic winder: ME camera body accepts the new 1.5-frames-per-second automatic
  
• film winder, for consecutive or single frame exposure operation.
  
• Exposure counter: Automatic reset type.
  
• Exposure meter: Open-aperture, center-weighted Through-The-Lens meter, with GPD cells for fast light response, with LED exposure read-out; rapid wind lever and shutter release button acting as meter switch. Exposure range; EV1 - 19 (ASA100 f/1.4). Film speed range: ASA12 - 1600.
  
• Exposure compensation dial: 1/4x, 1/2x, 1x, 2x, 4x.
  
• Battery: Two 1.5V silver oxide batteries (G13); LED's double as battery check lamp.
  
• Back cover: Standard back with memo holder, interchangeable with Dial Data ME for data recording on film.
  
• Body size: 131 mm x 82.5mm x 49.5mm.
  
• Body weight: 460 grams.