Ricoh ME Superthread (ft. Pentax)

The Something Awful Forums > The Finer Arts > Creative Convention > The Dorkroom > Ricoh ME Superthread (ft. Pentax)

«‹›12 »

Which is the greatest camera of all time
	Pentax MX
	Pentax ME
	Pentax ME Super
	Together they form a trinity of perfection.

Spedman: Mar 12, 2010; Kangaroos hate Hasselblads

My ME Super likes the night:

And Kodachrome:

# ? Aug 20, 2012 14:00

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? Apr 27, 2024 00:15

Count Thrashula: Jun 1, 2003; Death is nothing compared to vindication.; Buglord

What how did you get Kodachrome developed

# ? Aug 20, 2012 14:05

wheres my beer: Apr 29, 2004; Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty; Fun Shoe

QPZIL posted:

What how did you get Kodachrome developed

He's probably sharing old photos with us.

# ? Aug 20, 2012 21:24

Spedman: Mar 12, 2010; Kangaroos hate Hasselblads

Unfortunately yes, they're old photos, although there was that guy from Sydney who managed to get the k-14 process working at home: http://www.apug.org/forums/forum40/103711-reports-colour-kodachrome-home-processing-emerge-sydney.html

# ? Aug 21, 2012 05:03

bellows lugosi: Aug 9, 2003

just joined the club

# ? Aug 22, 2012 19:31

Dr. Despair: Nov 4, 2009; 39 perfect posts with each roll.

Got a package in from KEH today. Everything but the chrome me super and 50mm SMC-A lens for my friend, and a 40mm pancake for me. :toot:

# ? Aug 23, 2012 17:37

Count Thrashula: Jun 1, 2003; Death is nothing compared to vindication.; Buglord

Hell yeah I've been eyeing that 40mm pancake for ~*MAXIMUM SMALLNESS*~, go take some pics so I can see how it performs.

Edit-- it doesn't have to be right now, if you could just get me something by the end of the day that'd be fine thanks

# ? Aug 23, 2012 17:55

internetdrink: Mar 24, 2011; "May contain traces of nuts"

dukeku posted:

just joined the club

Don't you feel any shame, exposing your Pentax ME Supers intimate parts like this?

# ? Aug 23, 2012 20:53

Anti-Derivative: Aug 12, 2003; Beware of Squirrel

are there any good, cheap, ultrawide lenses for these things?

# ? Aug 23, 2012 21:40

Count Thrashula: Jun 1, 2003; Death is nothing compared to vindication.; Buglord

You can get a 16mm f/2.8 for ~$400, or a 20mm f/4 for ~$200, I'm sure there are other options.

# ? Aug 23, 2012 21:43

Zalgo: Oct 21, 2009; He͔̻̖͕ ͕͈̺͕̜c̯̜͇̲o̜͖̦m͙es͔̞̬̗͙.̥

Sup, friend of Mr. Despair here reporting in.

DSC00363 by killerchiapet, on Flickr

# ? Aug 24, 2012 05:46

ExecuDork: Feb 25, 2007; We might be fucked, sir.; Fallen Rib

Vivitar Series 1 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5

I have one in Minolta MD mount, and I'm lurking eBay and a few other places for one in K-mount. There are (at least) two versions, rumoured to have been made by Cosina. My MD-manual version cost a little shy of $100 through eBay, and there are a couple of Pentax KAF versions on eBay at the moment for about $150. As far as I can tell the differences between the MF and AF versions are not in the glass or optical formula; both versions have an aperture ring, and are "two touch", with separate rings for focus and zoom.

Not the sharpest lens ever made, but 19mm on 135 film is pretty frickin' wide, I am rather fond of that lens. Here's a shot taken with it at 19mm. A little bit of vignetting, but not too bad, I think.

Arista Prem 400 1 022 by Execudork, on Flickr
The scratches on the film happened during developing. I am not good at loading film into the reels.

# ? Aug 24, 2012 07:04

Anti-Derivative: Aug 12, 2003; Beware of Squirrel

just got mine.

Came with the 50/1.7 and a chinon 28mm/2.8. Anyone have experience with the Chinon? Seems suitably wide...

Quick questions:

1. Do you guys typically use M or Auto? It looks like the Auto on this camera is very similar to the Aperture priority mode on digital cameras, whilst M is M. Is that more or less correct? Do you guys typically use Auto (I am generally a big fan of Av mode on my digital cameras)?

2. The focus target thing on mine never seems to fully line up at infinity. It comes really really close but I can still see a slight skew. Is that normal/nothing to worry about?

Anti-Derivative fucked around with this message at 14:08 on Aug 24, 2012

# ? Aug 24, 2012 14:06

Dr. Despair: Nov 4, 2009; 39 perfect posts with each roll.

Finally scanned some stuff from last month. Portra 400, 50mm f/1.4.

img138.jpg by MrDespair, on Flickr

img145.jpg by MrDespair, on Flickr

img149.jpg by MrDespair, on Flickr

# ? Aug 25, 2012 07:54

ExecuDork: Feb 25, 2007; We might be fucked, sir.; Fallen Rib

Anti-Derivative posted:

just got mine.

Came with the 50/1.7 and a chinon 28mm/2.8. Anyone have experience with the Chinon? Seems suitably wide...

Quick questions:

1. Do you guys typically use M or Auto? It looks like the Auto on this camera is very similar to the Aperture priority mode on digital cameras, whilst M is M. Is that more or less correct? Do you guys typically use Auto (I am generally a big fan of Av mode on my digital cameras)?

2. The focus target thing on mine never seems to fully line up at infinity. It comes really really close but I can still see a slight skew. Is that normal/nothing to worry about?

I have an off-brand 28/2.8, might be Chinon might be something else. Anyways, optically it's fine, but I managed to damage it and now the focus ring isn't connected to anything so it's currently a fixed-focus lens. Sooner or later I'll take it apart.

I usually use Auto, it is exactly aperture priority.

I've never had a problem with my focus at infinity. Does it happen with both of your lenses, or just one of them?

# ? Aug 25, 2012 19:29

Anti-Derivative: Aug 12, 2003; Beware of Squirrel

happens with both. i'm not sure if it is causing a real effect yet, but will find out once i get some rolls developed.

# ? Aug 26, 2012 09:34

Dr. Despair: Nov 4, 2009; 39 perfect posts with each roll.

Spend the night scanning in my last roll of film. First time shooting hp5+, and first time using the 40mm pancake lens.

40mm019.jpg by MrDespair, on Flickr

40mm048.jpg by MrDespair, on Flickr

40mm041.jpg by MrDespair, on Flickr

40mm038.jpg by MrDespair, on Flickr

Was worth every penny.

# ? Aug 29, 2012 06:34

Krelas: May 14, 2007; Be there none left on Earth but you,
one thing will still remain true...

Just shot a roll of HP5+, I love it.

# ? Aug 30, 2012 03:12

Dr. Despair: Nov 4, 2009; 39 perfect posts with each roll.

DSC_0755.jpg by MrDespair, on Flickr

# ? Sep 5, 2012 07:55

Count Thrashula: Jun 1, 2003; Death is nothing compared to vindication.; Buglord

Yessss yes yes yes yes yes yes

# ? Sep 5, 2012 13:59

internetdrink: Mar 24, 2011; "May contain traces of nuts"

Is that the new film from Kodak?

# ? Sep 5, 2012 14:15

SoundMonkey: Apr 22, 2006; I just push buttons.

I'd just like to remind everyone that this is a really good thread that you should be posting in.

# ? Sep 22, 2012 08:33

Count Thrashula: Jun 1, 2003; Death is nothing compared to vindication.; Buglord

Mr. Despair, bro, can I have your 40 pancake lens? I can't find one for my own.

I need to get some more lenses, all I have now is the 50mm 1.4. Don't get me wrong, it's badass! But, it'd be nice to have some more options.

# ? Sep 23, 2012 19:36

SimonomiS: Apr 3, 2009

Mr. Despair posted:

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/pentaxmeproblems.html is a good resource for some common fixes.

Do you know if the mirror is locked up? Is the shutter curtain reset all the way (that link has some pics of what it should look like)? Holding up the wind lock as you wind the camera can help reset everything too.

Does seem like a weird issue though, the most common issues all seem to relate to being able to wind too much without anything catching.

I recently bought a ME Super (to join my MX, MG & SF7) and that website was exactly what I needed to come across!

It would skip a frame, then advance normally, then maybe skip a frame. I've tried bending that lever a little and (fingers crossed) it seems to be fixed.

# ? Sep 23, 2012 21:07

Dr. Despair: Nov 4, 2009; 39 perfect posts with each roll.

QPZIL posted:

Mr. Despair, bro, can I have your 40 pancake lens? I can't find one for my own.

I need to get some more lenses, all I have now is the 50mm 1.4. Don't get me wrong, it's badass! But, it'd be nice to have some more options.

sorry, the 40mm is all I ever use anymore, it owns too hard.

only cost 40 bucks on keh too :unsmigghh:

SimonomiS posted:

I recently bought a ME Super (to join my MX, MG & SF7) and that website was exactly what I needed to come across!

It would skip a frame, then advance normally, then maybe skip a frame. I've tried bending that lever a little and (fingers crossed) it seems to be fixed.

# ? Sep 23, 2012 23:01

Spedman: Mar 12, 2010; Kangaroos hate Hasselblads

I nearly bought the 40mm pancake at a second hand photography junk market, but the guy wanted $90AU and wouldn't budge an inch.

# ? Sep 24, 2012 01:02

ExecuDork: Feb 25, 2007; We might be fucked, sir.; Fallen Rib

I already know what Mr. Despair's answer will be, but:

I am going to go spend the summer in Tasmania. This will allow me to avoid the majority of the harsh Canadian Prairie Winter, which is ironically the reason I purchased a MX - the batteries only run the light meter, and in daylight at -40 on snow I can just set it to f/16 and 1/250 and bang away at anything, the fact the cold will murderize the batteries in seconds is irrelevant. So, if you had to choose only one Pentax K-mount film camera to take with you for 4 months (and quest to visit all 19 National Parks in Tas), would you take the MX or the ME Super? Largest, brightest viewfinder ever put in a consumer or prosumer body, or aperture priority?

# ? Sep 25, 2012 04:51

8th-snype: Aug 28, 2005; My office is in the front room of a run-down 12 megapixel sensor but the rent suits me and the landlord doesn't ask many questions.

Dorkroom Short Fiction Champion 2012; Young Orc

ExecuDork posted:

I already know what Mr. Despair's answer will be, but:

I am going to go spend the summer in Tasmania. This will allow me to avoid the majority of the harsh Canadian Prairie Winter, which is ironically the reason I purchased a MX - the batteries only run the light meter, and in daylight at -40 on snow I can just set it to f/16 and 1/250 and bang away at anything, the fact the cold will murderize the batteries in seconds is irrelevant. So, if you had to choose only one Pentax K-mount film camera to take with you for 4 months (and quest to visit all 19 National Parks in Tas), would you take the MX or the ME Super? Largest, brightest viewfinder ever put in a consumer or prosumer body, or aperture priority?

I would definitely take both. That way you have a backup.

# ? Sep 25, 2012 07:07

Dr. Despair: Nov 4, 2009; 39 perfect posts with each roll.

The ME Super will still work at 1/125 sans battery, so it works just fine in the cold. :c00lbert:

but seriously, I would take both, the body seems small enough that you should be able to stuff it in your bag somehow, even if you leave it in the hotel or something. 4 months is a long time, so having a backup body stashed in your spare shoes or something seems like a good idea.

# ? Sep 25, 2012 07:11

HPL: Aug 28, 2002; Worst case scenario.

It's good to take two camera bodies because you can keep one loaded with slower film and one loaded with faster film.

# ? Sep 25, 2012 09:43

ExecuDork: Feb 25, 2007; We might be fucked, sir.; Fallen Rib

These are all good reasons. Both it is!

# ? Sep 26, 2012 01:57

Atticus_1354: Dec 10, 2006; barkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbark

Well I just started bidding on a ME Super on ebay. It was just to cheap to resist venturing in to the world of film. The problem is I live in the middle of nowhere so I will have to send out my film to be developed.

# ? Sep 26, 2012 02:07

8th-snype: Aug 28, 2005; My office is in the front room of a run-down 12 megapixel sensor but the rent suits me and the landlord doesn't ask many questions.

Dorkroom Short Fiction Champion 2012; Young Orc

Atticus_1354 posted:

Well I just started bidding on a ME Super on ebay. It was just to cheap to resist venturing in to the world of film. The problem is I live in the middle of nowhere so I will have to send out my film to be developed.

Shoot B&W dev at home. You're welcome.

# ? Sep 26, 2012 07:40

Atticus_1354: Dec 10, 2006; barkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbark

8th-samurai posted:

Shoot B&W dev at home. You're welcome.

I have been considering this since I have a closet that is basically unused and could easily be turned in to a dark room. Maybe I will shoot a few rolls and get a feel for it and see how I like shooting film and then decide on a dark room setup.

# ? Sep 26, 2012 18:52

NihilismNow: Aug 31, 2003

Atticus_1354 posted:

I have been considering this since I have a closet that is basically unused and could easily be turned in to a dark room. Maybe I will shoot a few rolls and get a feel for it and see how I like shooting film and then decide on a dark room setup.

You don't need a dark room to develop film (only for wet printing). But you don't want your dark room to be in a closet anyway, dark room needs to be well ventilated. You use a lot more chemicals than for simple developing.
For developing all you need is chemicals (developer, fix) and a tank, you can buy everything you need for 100+ rolls for $50.

# ? Sep 26, 2012 19:18

Atticus_1354: Dec 10, 2006; barkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbarkbark

NihilismNow posted:

You don't need a dark room to develop film (only for wet printing). But you don't want your dark room to be in a closet anyway, dark room needs to be well ventilated. You use a lot more chemicals than for simple developing.
For developing all you need is chemicals (developer, fix) and a tank, you can buy everything you need for 100+ rolls for $50.

Cool. I will visit the film thread and start educating myself.

# ? Sep 26, 2012 19:21

Dr. Despair: Nov 4, 2009; 39 perfect posts with each roll.

Heck, even home development of color film doesn't seem too difficult anymore.

# ? Sep 27, 2012 01:18

NihilismNow: Aug 31, 2003

I'm sure the ME and ME-super are great. But where is the Spotmatic love? Aperture priority? We don't need no stinkin aperture priority. Full manual full mechanical.

Seriously i have a bunch of old cameras and the spotmatics have held up better than cameras 10-15 years younger.

# ? Oct 8, 2012 17:51