newbie needs help fixing up an old camera (Pentax super ME)

Hello. I used to use my mom's 1980 pentax super ME in highschool. Ten years later, I came across it in her garage. Its developed some issues I can't resolve and was looking for some tips. I'm in gradschool, so I can't afford to send it in. Like at all. I can't even afford postage. So sending it in is not an option. The shutter stops when half depressed, and nothing happens. The film winder moves halfways and can't more further. The film doesn't advance. Also, I can't se through the viewer. Any ideas?? Thanks.

Welcome to APUG!

The batteries might be dead.

Here is a link to an instruction manual:

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/pentax/pentax_me_super/pentax_me_super.htm

Thank you! Oh, I forgot to mention I changed out the battery, and the meter isn't working either. But I put it on 125x, which should be the all manual setting (I think) and the symptoms don't change. I'll look through the manual. Thanks so much!

Is the mirror stuck up? If so, gently slide a fingernail along its front edge and give a little yank down. Gentle. It is possible for the foam at the front of the mirror box to get so gummy that it can hold the mirror in place and basically stop everything else. If the mirror does come down, check its bottom/front edge for a thin stripe of black gummy particles.

This is your best case scenario. If this doesn't fix it, service is most likely the answer. For example, there is a bumper inside the camera that can also clog up the mirror motion. Heck even if it is gummed up foam, you should then buy a foam kit from interslice on ebay, $10 for a camera specific set of foam.

If it needs more, the guy to go to is Eric Hendrickson- http://pentaxs.com/
For maybe $60-70, he'll get it singing again. Start saving now- the ME Super is a nice camera.

It moves pretty easily and doesn't appear to have any residue on it. Is it supposed to be up or down when not in use, because the mirror remains up unless i move it myself, then snaps right back up when I let go of it. Its weird, a friend gave us an old minolta x370, and it has the same issue, ut its mirror stays down. A lot of stuff I have read has recommended Eric. Sounds like THE guy!

Typical symptom of ME Super before its belly faces the sky. Tangled mechanism...
ME Super is liked by many people but for me it was the worst camera I ever had. In fact I had 4 and all died on me.
A couple died after showing the same symptom as yours. IIRC, it was an easy fix and works for a while.

Search the web for Mr Rick Olsen. He has web site and has some good repair notes.
Yes, I was a regular guest on that site when I had ME Supers ... haven't been there since I've got rid of them ...