Pentax Auto 110 vs Super - cold weather performance

Joseph Bell · Feb 23, 2025

Hello! I recently acquired a Pentax Auto 110, and it's quickly become one of my most beloved cameras. What could be more adorable? Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone here has used both the Auto and Super, and might be able to share a few thoughts about your preferences. I suppose what I'm really asking is this: will I love the Super even more, and is it worth the upgrade, and if so, why?

But no love is perfect: my camera's winding mechanism fails on me whenever it's below 0 C / 32 F outside. I'll still see the green light in the viewfinder, but the camera will just keep winding and winding without allowing the shutter to fire. The camera functions perfectly when it's a little warmer, or indoors, etc. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

Thank you for permitting this 2-for-1 question; I'm truly grateful for your time and erudition!

xkaes · Feb 23, 2025

Since the Pentax 110 is so small, just keep the camera in a warm pocket.

Here is a list of features which the Super has compared to the plain Pentax 110.

1. The Super has a microprism focusing collar around the central split-image spot -- both have split-image and ground glass screen.
2. The Super has a backlight compensation button for 1.5 EV additional exposure.
3. The Super has a self-timer, with a blinking red light on the front of the camera for warning, and a plastic cover for the eyepiece to exclude extraneous light.
4. The Super has a recessed shutter button and a shutter lock to avoid accidental firing of the shutter.
5. The Super's yellow, low-light warning LED in the viewfinder comes on at 1/45 sec (or slower) shutter speed -- instead of 1/30 sec.
6. The Super's minimum exposure is 1/400 sec at f/18 -- rather than 1/750 sec at f/13.5.
7. The Super has a single stroke film advance -- rather than a two stroke one.
8. The Super weights 178g -- rather than 172g.
9. The Super has a captive cover for the flash connection, making it less easy to lose.
10. The Super has a very slightly brighter finder.

armadsen · Feb 23, 2025

I have both, and despite the Super having that whole list of extra features, the only thing I actually care about in use is the single stroke advance and occasionally the +1.5 stop exposure compensation.

As for the winding problem, a slipping film advance is a common problem on the Auto 110 (not sure if it affects the Super too), but sounds like a different problem where advancing is fine, it’s cocking the shutter that’s failing.

xya · Feb 24, 2025

For more information about all the lenses and accessories you could have a look at my website https://www.subcompactcam.com/110_pentax_auto.htm. If you can get a Super for little money, it's worth the investment. But the first model is much fun either, so no rush...

Cholentpot · Feb 24, 2025

I have both, they're pretty much the same except for the double stroke. They're all fully auto. And they're both loads of fun to use.

blee1996 · Feb 24, 2025

Both fun and quality in these tiny packages!

Joseph Bell · Feb 25, 2025

xya said:
For more information about all the lenses and accessories you could have a look at my website https://www.subcompactcam.com/110_pentax_auto.htm. If you can get a Super for little money, it's worth the investment. But the first model is much fun either, so no rush...

Hello xya, your site is a delight, and very useful, helpful, and informative!

Joseph Bell · Feb 25, 2025

armadsen said:
I have both, and despite the Super having that whole list of extra features, the only thing I actually care about in use is the single stroke advance and occasionally the +1.5 stop exposure compensation.

As for the winding problem, a slipping film advance is a common problem on the Auto 110 (not sure if it affects the Super too), but sounds like a different problem where advancing is fine, it’s cocking the shutter that’s failing.

Thanks very much for your response. My auto 110 seems to perform perfectly indoors, but when I bring it out into the weather, the problems begin. For example: I'll be able to take 3 or 4 pictures successfully, then it will wind past the 5th frame, then I'll be able to take the 6th picture, it will wind past the 7th, etc. If I warm the pipsqueak up for a little while, it will function properly again, but finally be unable to successfully wind the film back into the cartridge after the 24th exposure, whether I'm indoors or outdoors. I've assumed my particular camera is a dud, ergo I've been spending a little time perusing the listings on the auction site whose name shall not be mentioned!

Joseph Bell · Feb 25, 2025

Cholentpot said:
I have both, they're pretty much the same except for the double stroke. They're all fully auto. And they're both loads of fun to use.

Delightful! Cholent for all!

xya · Feb 25, 2025

Joseph Bell said:
Hello xya, your site is a delight, and very useful, helpful, and informative!

Thank you very much for your appreciation!

Cholentpot · Feb 25, 2025

Joseph Bell said:
Delightful! Cholent for all!

Careful. It's habit forming.

xkaes · Feb 25, 2025

Joseph Bell said:
the auction site whose name shall not be mentioned!

How about "... formerly known as....." -- fill in the BLANK. Twitter, Prince, whateva.

benderscameracorner · Feb 26, 2025

I have an Auto 110 and it's a fun little dinky camera with a surprisingly bright and usable viewfinder. I have 'full frame' SLRs that are seemingly harder to find focus with!

Mine too feels very stiff when advancing, so much so I managed to accidentally snap the advance lever (typical crappy Pentax plastic) some time ago. It's back functioning with a 3D printed replacement, but definitely feels like it's in need of some cleaning and/or lubrication. Anyone got any advice as to where to focus lubrication attention, preferably without disassembling the whole thing (!) to improve the mechanism.

Cholentpot · Feb 26, 2025

benderscameracorner said:
I have an Auto 110 and it's a fun little dinky camera with a surprisingly bright and usable viewfinder. I have 'full frame' SLRs that are seemingly harder to find focus with!

Mine too feels very stiff when advancing, so much so I managed to accidentally snap the advance lever (typical crappy Pentax plastic) some time ago. It's back functioning with a 3D printed replacement, but definitely feels like it's in need of some cleaning and/or lubrication. Anyone got any advice as to where to focus lubrication attention, preferably without disassembling the whole thing (!) to improve the mechanism.

I have the opposite problem. My auto super has a wobbly advance lever. I'd like to tighten it down but I don't know how to.

benderscameracorner · Mar 2, 2025

Cholentpot said:
I have the opposite problem. My auto super has a wobbly advance lever. I'd like to tighten it down but I don't know how to.

Assuming the Super is the same as the OG model, there's two small screws under the plastic cap, which just pops off with some gentle levering.
You may find the wobble isn't from loose screws but weakening/cracked holes in the lever itself.
Cameras from the late 70s and early 80s really do drum home how far polymer/plastic technology has come in the past few decades, hehe...

xkaes · Mar 2, 2025

Cholentpot said:
I have the opposite problem. My auto super has a wobbly advance lever. I'd like to tighten it down but I don't know how to.

If you can't fix it, one option might be to get the Pentax 110 motor drive!

Cholentpot · Mar 2, 2025

benderscameracorner said:
Assuming the Super is the same as the OG model, there's two small screws under the plastic cap, which just pops off with some gentle levering.
You may find the wobble isn't from loose screws but weakening/cracked holes in the lever itself.
Cameras from the late 70s and early 80s really do drum home how far polymer/plastic technology has come in the past few decades, hehe...

Popped the cap off and indeed there were two wobbly screws! However, the cap didn't pop off cleanly and broke away from the center shaft. Now I have a tight lever but no cap. Might just use double sided sticky tape to semi permanently get the cap back on.

My OG model lost the door latch a little while back and it has tape holding it closed these days.

Cholentpot · Mar 2, 2025

xkaes said:
If you can't fix it, one option might be to get the Pentax 110 motor drive!

I have one. It doesn't work.

Pentax Auto 110 vs Super - cold weather performance

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