Pentax ME Super- Film Advance Problem

[graciemansion]

I was recently given a Pentax ME Super, and while I'm pretty certain now there's something wrong with the film advance I wanted a second opinion before I send it out for repairs. I shot my first roll of film through it, and at first everything went smoothly, but then I felt resistance as I was advancing the film, and the camera made a crunching noise. I'm looking at the negatives now, and I can see a pattern. The first shots look normal, but then the sprocket holes tear and the frames overlap. After a few overlapping frames the next few look fine, only for the sprocket holes to tear again, and the pattern repeats. I also noticed just now that there are horizontal lines between the image and the sprocket holes on some of the shots, and some fogging around the sprocket holes on the first couple shots..

Anyhow, I figured there's something wrong with the film advance. At first I thought maybe I loaded the film incorrectly since I loaded it while walking down a busy street, but I've loaded plenty of 35mm film in the past. Besides, if I loaded it incorrectly, why did the first the 11 shots come out perfectly fine? I figure if the film is loaded properly it should stay loaded. It wouldn't, as it appears to have happened, fall off or get torn. But then I again I also wouldn't discount my own stupidity or incompetence so anyone else's thoughts are appreciated.

Bonus question: I also have a Spotmatic that works surprisingly well for a roughly 50 year old camera but there's a battery in it so corroded the door to the compartment is stuck. So far I've just been using it without the meter so I don't feel like it's worth repairing, but is that even the kind of thing that can be repaired?

 

[shutterfinger]

When loading film in any 35mm SLR after closing the back and advancing to the first frame turn the manual rewind lever until the film is tight. An alternative is to hold the leader against the cassette and turn the center shaft counterclockwise until tight then load into the camera.
If the film is loose inside the cassette it can jam and result in stripped sprocket holes. Another possibility is the rewind is not releasing fully and putting extra drag on the film.
Download the repair manuals for your cameras here: http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/servicemanuals.htm

Remove the bottom plate from the Spotmatic then follow this corrosion cleaning tip: http://www.camcare.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Read-me1.pdf

 

[Jeff Bradford]

Unfortunately, film advance problems are common to the ME Super. Fortunately, the ME Super is a very common camera and should be easy to replace.

 

[anfenglin]

The main problem in the ME and ME super are rubber bumpers inside the mechanics.
These bumpers stop the levers and gears at certain positions to make sure that everything works properly.
They deteriorate over the years and turn to dust, just like plastic that is left out in the sun for a very long time.
Then, the levers move too far and the Film advance and cocking mechanism get stuck. It can be repaired but the whole thing has to be disassembled.
It is easier to get a new one, the ME and ME super are plentiful on the second hand market, sad but true.

 

[John Koehrer]

Maybe!You can loosen the battery cover by soaking the bottom plate in a baking soda solution, If corrosion hasn't crept up the wire
going into the body cleaning the contacts could bring it back. Another option would be to look for a bottom plate with a clean compartment.

 

[dynachrome]

You can send your ME Super to Eric Hendrickson. He overhauled two ME Supers for me. They are very pleasant cameras to use when they are working properly. I also enjoy using the MX and earlier this year got an MG in good condition for $15. It works beautifully. If I need to adjust the exposure I just change ISO setting.

 

[AudioGeek]

Was this film advance issue ever resolved? I'm having the same issue with my camera right now. Any help would be great!

 

[M-88]

Was this film advance issue ever resolved? I'm having the same issue with my camera right now. Any help would be great!

Not only ME Super, but every other M series Pentax (ME, MX, MV, whatever else there is with M) also suffers from the same issue over time. It can be fixed by the repair specialist, but these cameras are so cheap (except MX) that it's probably better to buy another body.

 

[David Lyga]

Not only ME Super, but every other M series Pentax (ME, MX, MV, whatever else there is with M) also suffers from the same issue over time. It can be fixed by the repair specialist, but these cameras are so cheap (except MX) that it's probably better to buy another body.

No you are quite wrong: the MX is utterly superb. But that is because it operates on clockwork mechanism. But the other 'M's are, sorry to say, Pentax's bete noire. - David Lyga

 

[M-88]

No you are quite wrong: the MX is utterly superb. But that is because it operates on clockwork mechanism. But the other 'M's are, sorry to say, Pentax's bete noire. - David Lyga

Hmm are you telling me that film advance / shutter cock mechanism is different in MX from others just because it's got a mech shutter? And if yes, then those M series cameras that have one single mech speed and those that don't have it at all must also have two more different mechanism of film advance / shutter cocking? Sounds like overcomplication to me.

 

[trendland]

Unfortunately, film advance problems are common to the ME Super. Fortunately, the ME Super is a very common camera and should be easy to replace.

I had same problem with Me Super (EBay 9,- bucks + shipping) I bought as a "defect" camera!
Just to see if it has "real" malfunktion!

And it worked ! Shutter was sleeping and I woke him up!

But 10 month later : malfuntion .......the end of my Pentax?

Yes ! Same with Me, same with Programm A !

But folks this cameras were build 1978, 1980, (If you have a "N E W" Pentax from these series
it is from 1984) wow - a brand new model!!

And they have been reliable for 30years! If you live in this parallel universum you have no problems with any Pentax M series but your callender showes 2014!

with regards

After 2014 (the year I spent enourmious sums on EBay) All Pentax M are riscy!

 

[trendland]

No you are quite wrong: the MX is utterly superb. But that is because it operates on clockwork mechanism. But the other 'M's are, sorry to say, Pentax's bete noire. - David Lyga

The MX is an other class M Pentax David!
Sorry to state for the owner of Me Super, Me, Mg ( oh I remember my Mg is also with malfunction)!
A N D not to forget the A class : Super A, Programm A (for me the same with New Name - Pentax could have named it also Pentax MeSuper Plus or Pentax Super Super Me but their decision went
to A (A series) Without exeption very fine cameras but unreliable after 30 years!
Most problems I made experience, comes from electronic. To some cameras the shutter just operate at x (125sec)!

Your luck with MX is the lack of electronic David! You have all times up to 1/2000 sec. in an manual (mechanical) mode AND in addition like Nikon F3 with electronic times between!
You remember if you waste your batteries MX is full. operational (just led's are not glimming)!

That is a big advantage (50% Me series problems are shutter caused)!
And if I remember correct the mechanic of the MX is much better (concern of ball berings for example)! The disadvantage with MX like with A L L Pentax of that period is the mirror steamer
out of plastics! If that part is replaced a 45 years old MX can operate like BRAND NEW!
But I state "can" there is no guarantee! A lightmeter is better than MX metering BTW .
So if you remember your last glimm of MX led 3 years ago and with fresh batteries nothing will
happen - no problem to real Pentax photographers - isn't it in that way!

LX has a couple of different problems! But all Me are the same - exept MX!

with regards

 

[trendland]

Hmm are you telling me that film advance / shutter cock mechanism is different in MX from others just because it's got a mech shutter? And if yes, then those M series cameras that have one single mech speed and those that don't have it at all must also have two more different mechanism of film advance / shutter cocking? Sounds like overcomplication to me.

Its not very complicate to understand but it helps if you own a MX!

with regards

PS : There was a 250 frame magazin with MX - if you in addition own 2 of such magazines in
"UNUSED" condition it helps if you want to buy a fastest sports car!

 

[jtk]

The main problem in the ME and ME super are rubber bumpers inside the mechanics.
These bumpers stop the levers and gears at certain positions to make sure that everything works properly.
They deteriorate over the years and turn to dust, just like plastic that is left out in the sun for a very long time.
Then, the levers move too far and the Film advance and cocking mechanism get stuck. It can be repaired but the whole thing has to be disassembled.
It is easier to get a new one, the ME and ME super are plentiful on the second hand market, sad but true.

I have two ME Supers. Beautiful cameras. One did suffer from stuck-shutter/stuck-advance but I fixed it by rapping the camera on a table top. They're better than Apple computers because you can fix Pentax, you don't have to burn them.

 

[David Lyga]

Hmm are you telling me that film advance / shutter cock mechanism is different in MX from others just because it's got a mech shutter? And if yes, then those M series cameras that have one single mech speed and those that don't have it at all must also have two more different mechanism of film advance / shutter cocking? Sounds like overcomplication to me.

Actually, you might be correct but so might I be correct. I have NEVER had a problem with the MX, but each camera show I attend has had at least one ME or ME Super with a faulty advance/shutter. - David Lyga

 

[M-88]

Actually, you might be correct but so might I be correct. I have NEVER had a problem with the MX, but each camera show I attend has had at least one ME or ME Super with a faulty advance/shutter. - David Lyga

Then you must be the one who is correct, I certainly lack your experience.

 

[trendland]

Then you must be the one who is correct, I certainly lack your experience.

I own a LX ! But it worked fine! The other I have made some problems!
From my point a Pentax MX is more reliable in comparison to the much higher priced LX I have!
1979 I got a MX sad about I have given away....!

with regards

PS Belive him!

 

[David Lyga]

I own a LX ! But it worked fine! The other I have made some problems!
From my point a Pentax MX is more reliable in comparison to the much higher priced LX I have!
1979 I got a MX sad about I have given away....!

with regards

PS Belive him!

Get BACK that MX because I DEMAND that you send me your MX via Lufthansa Freight to Philadelphia, free of charge, pronto!

It's funny that the MX is such a workhorse and, as you say, the LX, the luxury model, has faults (I cannot verify this.) But what 'made some problems' did you cause, trendland? - David Lyga

 

[trendland]

Get BACK that MX because I DEMAND that you send me your MX via Lufthansa Freight to Philadelphia, free of charge, pronto!

It's funny that the MX is such a workhorse and, as you say, the LX, the luxury model, has faults (I cannot verify this.) But what 'made some problems' did you cause, trendland? - David Lyga

Well the LX generaly made lots of problems (all kind of you can't imagine David) - but the one I own today is still OK!

Up to now. !... - coming next at home I perhaps have a short look at that "Biest" !

with regards


PS : With all the love to Pentax I have to state Nikon F2/.....also F3?...was more reliable!
And a professional used LX date 1983 I owned from a cheap EBay seller has its points!

The one. I have now is looking more used - but it is working quite good - courius why?

 

[David Lyga]

The F2 is the utter epitome of reliable clockwork mechanisms. Period. - David Lyga